Since Google's been showing up to ten local results within their natural listings lately, it seems like a good idea to get back to the local search engines. They're now more visible than ever and are not going away. The search engines don't say (nor should they) how to get top local listings, and here are some basic steps and ideas to benefit from Google Maps and Yahoo Local listings.
1) First, make sure to have a free Gmail and Yahoo email account.
2) From there, sign in to Google's Local Business Center and Yahoo's Add a Business page.
3) Provide accurate information regarding products or services provided, payment methods, hours of operation, and more (there are easy field forms for most of these).
4) They both allow you to upload and display business photos. Hint - sometimes just a simple business logo does wonders.
5) They both allow you to describe your business in up to "x" characters. Keyword stuffing = bad and silly looking. Accurate information = good and builds trust.
6) They both allow user reviews for your business. Embrace it and encourage it! This can create an online version of word-of-mouth marketing. Plus, results that display trusted reviews often appear toward the top of local search results, which certainly makes sense.
7) With that said, don't create fake user reviews. No matter how hard you try to make it look like someone else wrote it, users are smart and will easily sniff it out and not buy from you.
8) Read number 7 again. ;) Honestly, I've made purchases after reading true, negative reviews thinking "ok, I can deal with that". The same can't be said after reading a fake, positive review.
9) Make sure any industry portals or Internet yellow pages (IYPs) display your current and accurate addresses and other information. Search engines have been known for building relationships with IYPs as early as 2003 and has only grown since then.
10) If possible, display your business address(es) in the content or footer of your pages as shown in your IYP listings (first/1st, avenue/ave, etc.). Even if you don't advertise with them, you most likely have a free listing.
The above is more of an overview and I hope to expand on some specifics in the near future. In the meantime, you can check out a great 5-piece series by Stacy Williams titled Promote Your Business Locally. The series is over a year old, but still contains very relevant concepts. If you're interested in really digging into both Google Maps and Yahoo Local, Mike Blumenthal has a blog specifically dedicated to it as well.

An even wiser method is to use the only site that allows local businesses to stand out visually. I am talking about http://clikitysplit.com.
ClikitySplit is the web's first and only visual marketing and search engine. It truly levels the playing field--mom and pops can stand out equally with the deep-pocket chains. The end-users determine what is relevant, not a search engine's algo.
You mentioned to put payment info, hours of operation, etc. into their local listing. Heck, ClikitySplit has all that captured on its "Quick Info" pane. Plus the restaurant's health department score. How is that for decision-influencing information?
Try ClikitySplit. It is the future! It is both the end user’s dream come true (visual, fast, easy-to-use), and the advertiser's magic bullet (powerful, rich multi-media visual marketing tools).
Hi - thanks for the info - i wonder whether you can help on something. We have many reviews on our site - however they do appear on the local search results. Would you know what i would need to do ?
Thanks for the recipe Paul. Your suggested steps are simple and straight-forward.
I plan to hand your post over to my favorite local cheese shop that has been struggling. I noticed tha they had an inaccurate local Google listing. This will help put them on the online maps.
Thanks again,

$100 in Free TLA's!
Increase your traffic and link popularity.
Free One Way Links
Over 450 sites that give a one way link
SEO Friendly Directory
Get a Sponsored Listing for only $29!
|
Paul Jahn is the owner of Localmn Interactive Marketing, a Minnesota-based Internet marketing company. Localmn focuses on helping local companies large and small leverage the most out of their search marketing campaigns depending on their respective needs, including SEO, PPC, local search, and social media campaigns. Paul also runs and contributes to the Localmn local search blog.
In addition to running Localmn, Paul also works with BuyOnlineNow - online office supply superstore along with one of their niche sites focusing on paper shredders, OrderPaperShredders.com. BuyOnlineNow provides close to 30,000 office products across the US from paper shredders, the infamous "Milton" red Swingline staplers to full office furniture solutions. For the increasing demand to serve Canadian customers, BuyOnlineNow.net was also launched in March 2007. With over ten years of Internet marketing experience, Paul has particular expertise in search marketing, with extensive knowledge of local search. |
Sage not only personally invites you to come hear him speak at Search Engine Guide's upcoming Small Business Marketing Unleashed Conference, but he also reviews some of the show's best features. He highlights the top of the industry speakers, the wide array of in-depth topics to be covered and the appropriate, yet really fun conference location.
www.flickr.com
|
Search Engine Guide Blog | Search Engine Marketing | Internet Search Engines | SEM Resources & Consultants | Newsletters | Advertise | About | Site Map
Search marketing information for small business owners.
Fetching the best small business news.
A friendly place to share small business ideas and knowledge.
A different kind of small business marketing conference.
Home of our network.
Copyright © 1998 - 2008 K. Clough, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy
FreeFind Site Search Engine - FreeFind adds a "search this site" feature to your website, making your site easier to use. FreeFind also gives you reports showing what your visitors are searching for, enabling you to improve your site. FreeFind's advanced site search engine and automatic site map technology can be added to your website for free.
(Unpaid placement - FreeFind is a Search Engine Guide partner.)