Smart Traffic SEO Tip #75 – How to Rank in Google Maps/Local Search
What is Maps optimisation and why it is important? Maps optimisation is making your business visible to local searchers. We all know the trend that most people nowadays do not use the printed yellow pages anymore in finding local businesses, they now use the internet like Google which is the major search engine today and other sites such as Yahoo, Yellowpages.com and many more. This is a perfect opportunity for you to reach the people searching for your business products or services online.
Here are some tips to get your site ranked locally:
1. Obviously the first step is create a business listing. To sign up, visit the Local Business Center (http://www.google.com/local/add). Make sure your business information is correct.
2. Claim Your Local Business Listing.
3. Make sure to maximize the relevancy of the content of your listing with respect to local and mobile searchers. (Considering the search data and current trends related to the business services).
4. Include the product or service keywords in the title of your local business listing.
5. Associate your local business listing in the proper categories.
6. Adding photos of your business is also a great help to complete your profile.
7. Encourage satisfied customers to write more reviews. Note that writing reviews will need a Google account for submission while reviews from 3rd party websites are also helpful.
8. Build citations to your contact information on business directories like infoUSA, Yelp and other trusted websites. This will boost your business to the top listings and attract customers.
