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Online Local Business Listings

Local search is rapidly becoming the focus of all the major online search engines and directories, and it's critical for a local business to be in as many local search engines, online yellow pages, directories and data sources as possible.

Preparing Business Listing For the Local Web

Local search is rapidly becoming the focus of all the major online search engines and directories, and it's critical for a local business to be in as many local search engines, online yellow pages, directories and data sources as possible.

  • You should prepare before submitting to any directory. This preparation means that you have written a 25 word or less description of your entire web site. That description should make use of the two or three key terms that you hope to be found for locally --- remember local searchers are already local and search engines know it.

  • Consider keyword research to help determine the best keyword phrases for your site rather than guessing at what these terms might be.

  • It is essential that the description you write not make use of marketing language. So, if you sold shoes and wanted to be found for terms such as "athletic shoes" and "running shoes," you might write a "just the facts" description like:

    • Purchase athletic shoes
    • Running shoes
    • Hiking boots

  • Don't used descriptions like; "the worlds largest range of"... full of marketing hype language. Local search engine results to the search engine companies is about solutions, not sales --- use them to be found and let the quality of your products and staff take it from there!!!!

  • Company/Organization: This is the official/registered name of your business.

  • Address: Enter your address the same way it would appear on a paper mail envelope.

  • Phone number: Make sure to include the area code with your business phone number.

  • Website: Make sure to list your authoritative business website as your homepage, since Google uses information from your homepage to help improve search results. The URL you provide can be a maximum of 255 characters.

  • Description: Tell users what makes your business special and do it in a way that makes them want to become a part of it.

  • eMail address: Let users know how to contact you. Use a communal business eMail address that can be managed by different staff.

  • Categories: Categories are ways to classify your business that help Google show your business for the right searches. The Local Business Center will suggest categories that match what you type when adding a listing... feel free to create your own if you don't see a category that fits your business.

    "Make sure that the categories you choose are accurate and describe your business well. It's ok if they're specific; Google's search algorithm makes sure that users looking for a general business type, like 'book stores,' will see businesses in more specific categories too."

  • Hours of operation: Let customers know when your business is open.

  • Payment options: Specify the payment types you accept.

  • Photos/Videos: Including photos and video adds visual appeal to your listing.

  • Additional information: Create custom attributes that allow you to include additional information that you'd like customers to know. For example, you can list what brands you carry, or if your business has parking and, say, wheel-chair access.

 
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