Posts Tagged ‘local search’

38. Local Search – make the most of citations

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

As I have mentioned in previous posts, Google is trying harder than ever to ensure a good user experience.  This means an increased focus on returning local search results that are relevent.

This has meant that Google Places has gone through yet another update and now you will see an increased number of ‘blended’ search results.  This is where both normal organic and Google Places search results are displayed on the first page of Google.

local search results

This means that it is even more important to make sure that small businesses are set-up in a way to maximise the benefits of this service.

Action Plan

1. Claim your Places page

If you have not already, make sure that you claim (or add) your business page.

2. Complete the set-up

Make sure that you correctly complete all of the information, being mindful to take advantage of the different fields available to help people find you.  You must ensure the entry is 100% complete.

If you find any errors in the existing data and / or duplicate Places page, make sure you correct / get the duplicate page(s) deleted.

3. Reviews / Reputation Management

Check to see if you have any reviews.  If you do, and you find bad reviews, take action to contact the person who left the poor review and try to resolve their concern.  Likewise, examine your business and make sure that any deficiencies in your service that may have caused the bad review are addressed.

Get into the habit of asking your customers to add reviews.  If you don’t ask you don’t get!

4. Citations

Work on your digital footprint – mentions of your business across the internet (known as citations).  The more sources Google finds of your business name, address and (telephone) number (NAP), the more credible.

Downside is for Google to see a match, the NAP must exactly match your Places page.  So take care when adding your details to directories, websites, etc.  It is also worth searching and cleaning up old entries to gain more benefit.

Summary

Local Search is important.  Make sure you take the time to make the most of the trend.

If you would like a free local search analysis report for your business, send a mail to local@digitalark.co.uk with your website a 3 search phrases you are trying to rank your website for.

We are offering a number of cost effective local search packs to help get small businesses take advantage of local search.

Tags:,
Posted in Local Mobile Search, Small business online | Comments Closed

29. Local search tips for your business online

Sunday, February 19th, 2012

In post number 28, I talked about how Google Places could help your business in respect of local search.  There are a number of other very useful resources that should also be considered to support a small businesses website and online marketing campaign.

Four Square

If you run a location based business such as a bar, coffee shop, hairdressers, beauty salon, restaurant, etc, you definitely should consider registering with Four Square.

Four Square allows you to register your business / premises on their social network.  This is done by registering an account and claiming your business.  You then will need to wait for a confirmation code to be mailed to you through the post (to make sure you actual are registered at the address).  This code is then entered and your business is live on the network.

Four Square business verification card

Card that you should receive to verify your business / organisation on Four Square

 

You can then set up details about your business, products, opening times and even special offers.  This information is then available within the Four Square social network.

Like other social networks it allows people to add reviews.  This is very powerful as there is an increasing trend for people to use ‘crowd sourcing’ (seeking the opinions of others) before visiting or buying.

Mobile Search 

The real power in Four Square is mobile search.  You can download a free app to your smartphone (i.e. iPhone).  This then allows users to search for venues that are near to their location.

So imagine you are in a new town, you want somewhere to eat but have no recommendations.  Launch Four Square, it will use the location services in your phone to advise you of the locations nearby, with reviews and if the owners have any offers for users of Four Square.

Checking-in and Offers

An important feature that sets Four Square apart from other social networks is the ability to check-in to a location.  This is achieved by clicking the check-in button when you are in or near to a location on your smart phone.

Points and badges are awarded for every check-in and you can compete on leader boards with your friends.

However, some clever businesses have also been smart and made use of the offers feature.  This allows a business to set up offers that are available to Four Square users who check in i.e. 10% off the price of a meal.

Become the Mayor

Another interesting feature is that you can become a mayor of a location.  This is achieved by having the highest number of check-ins over a period of time.  If you continue to visit and check-in you remain as the mayor.  If someone else achieves more check-ins, you get ‘ousted’.

Now being the mayor of a location can be rewarding.  For example, a number of Dominoes Pizza offer a free small margarita pizza to the current mayor of the location on a Wednesday.  There are many others who have offers, you just need to find them.

So as a small business, why not offer a special offer for the mayor.   This will encourage people to come and check-in, hopefully bringing more trade.

Let People Know

Four Square is becoming widely known so let people know you can be found on Four Square.  Add it to your promotional details, website, display on menus, etc.

When you register you may even receive a window sticker to use at your location like the one below.

 

Four Square window sticker

Four Square window sticker

Conclusion

Used correctly Google Places and Four Square can help expand the reach of your online marketing.

Remember, Digital Ark will set up Google Places free of charge for all clients who have our pay monthly website service.

If you would like more information or would like to discus the options for your business or organisation, please contact me simon@digitalark.co.uk.

/p

Tags:, , ,
Posted in Local Mobile Search, Small business online | Comments Closed

2. 5 Reasons Local Mobile Search is important

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

Did you know that the web is going local?

Did you know this is great news for local business?

I would like to share 5 reasons why you should be excited about the opportunity this presents.

Reason 1 – your customers are local

It is estimated that around 80% of people make purchasers within a 5 mile radius of home or where they work.  This means that there are already customers within your area using their computer or mobile phone to find you!

Reason 2 – old style advertising does not work

In the 1990’s and early ‘naughties’, reaching local customers meant phoning Yellow Pages, sitting down with the sales rep, agreeing size of advert and how many categories you wanted to be listed in and then paying quite a lot of money (I know I used to spend a couple of thousand pounds with a business I used to own).

That has all changed.  People use the web and mobile phone to find what they are after.  How many times has someone said ’just Google it”?  How many of you even look at the Yellow Pages when it arrives on your doorstep?

Old styles of advertising no longer works like it did in the past!

Reason 3 – Google knows search is local

Search has gone local.  Google, Yahoo, Bing, Facebook and many others have realised this and are investing to make sure that the end user is presented with the information they are looking for.  This includes recognising when a user is searching for something local.

Just type “plumbers in <your town>” and see what results Google returns.  As well as all the paid for adverts and organic results, the middle section will include results for local search and a map will appear to the right indicating the locations of each of the businesses.

This is great for small business as it gives you a real opportunity to get ahead of big business with their large advertising budgets.

Reason 4 – paid online advertising is expensive

Paid online advertising is becoming very expensive.

The cost of ‘pay per click’ advertising to appear on the first page of Google, Bing, etc can be very expensive for certain key search words i.e. mortgage.  Many small businesses can not afford to run a meaningful campaign to have their ads consistently appear on the front page.

Reason 5 – people search on the move

The advances in mobile smart phones such as the iphone, mean that many people are searching as they go about their daily routines.  This means that businesses who have set themselves up for mobile search are in pole position to make a connection with potential customers when they are ready to buy.

One of the things I love about my iphone is that you can open the Google Maps app, type in pizza and straight away it shows all the pizza takeaways close by.  Then by clicking on one of the locations shown on the map it gives you the details (and any special offers for smart local enabled businesses).  The number is also shown, you tap on it and you are placing your order.

This is very powerful and allows a better chance of converting someone into a customer.

In summary

  • Your customers are searching for local businesses like you.
  • Customers want to be able to find local businesses online and while they are on the move.
  • Local search allows local businesses to compete with big business.
  • It does not have to be expensive. 
  • Small businesses that do not set themselves up for local mobile search are missing out on business. 

If you would like more information, please take a look at my free video clip and resource pack available on my web site at Local Mobile Search.

Kind regards

Simon

Tags:, ,
Posted in Local Mobile Search | 1 Comment »