Local Search valuable tool

If you own a local business and you are serious about being on the Internet so more people can learn about your business, then you need this online tool http://www.getlisted.org

This service will check if your site is optimized for Google, Yahoo and Microsoft Local and in the Best of the Web Local Directory.

For good Local visibility your profile should be consistent throughout the web. In other words, keep your location to one place with one phone number and with the same business name. If the search engines get confused they will use sources that may not be to your liking or benefit.

This one is a winner for Local Business search: http://www.getlisted.org

greg cryns

Get your FREE report Is Freelancing Right For You?

Local Search Marketing overview

Do you know what is meant by "local search marketing"?

Essentially, this term refers to using the search engines to make sure that people who are searching for local businesses will find your information as a local business.

Simple? Not exactly.

Google took a step a while back to make sure that people who were looking for a local business found just that at the top or near the top of the first search result page. Since then, Yahoo and MSN created their own local search results. There are quite a few hoops you need to jump through to get your business listed on the first page.

Let's say you searched in Google for "website design in Minneapolis" because you want your new website to be built by someone you can easily meet with and discuss the project in person. It is good to know your website person personally, right?

If you did that search today, 2.3.09, you would see what is shown on the picture above on the first page of Google search results page (SERP).

Go ahead. Type your own search for your business. Be aware that Google local results are not found for every search.

Now search for "insurance in paso robles". Do you see the Google balloons that indicate the locations of various insurance agencies? That is Google Local.

I will do a series of articles on Google Local. Stay tuned. It is important for the future success of your business.

Greg Cryns
The Complete Guide to Freelance Riches
The Mighty Mo Website Design and Promotion

Prospecting in the local search market

I run a local website for my area called All About Paso Robles. This is a multi-purpose website.

First, the site lends credibility to my work as a search engine expert in my town. I also earn some Adsense income from visitors. As the visitor count rises and awareness of the site grows (it was established no too long ago) I am hoping local businesses will want to buy banner and text ads.

This week I closed a refinance mortgage on my house. The refi was a no brainer with the current rates dropping over 2% from a year ago.

My mortgage banker, Jessica, works for a local bank. She is not a mortgage broker in her own business, but the bank now provides a personal web page for her. This is interesting because my experience with banks is that in the past they are not particularly customer oriented. Banking is one of those businesses that thrive by placing advertising in the right spots at the right time. The sales efforts are limited to offering special interest rates and unique financial services.

Personal sales skills are not a bank's strength.

I gave Jessica a front page button ad and followed that up with an email:

<>

Hi Jessica,

Your ad is up on my website: http://www.allaboutpasorobles.com

As we discussed, it is essential for mortgage companies to get a high placement on the Google page for the search term "mortgages in paso robles". You have a nice web page but if no one visits that page what's the point? People use the web more often now and they also use Google most of the time to find information.

I can make this happen for you but I must charge a fee for that service as it is time consuming to put into effect.The fee is $195 (one time). I guarantee you will be on first page of the Google Local listings and possibly at or near the top of those listings. I will guide you through the process.

Let me know if you are interested. I will be working with other mortgage people in Paso starting next week. I am sure they are not yet aware of the potential provided by the Google listing but they will know very soon.

Thanks for your assistance in obtaining our refi. We are very happy with the result.

greg
|
< /snip >

I don't know if Jessica will take me up on this offer but I do know she is very interested in attracting new mortgage customers. Let's see what happens.

This post is intended to help you see that you can make money on the web in many different ways.

Greg Cryns

Work at home profiles