Google Local Listings

17 replies
I built a services website a client but I am clueless as to how to get him a top listing on the google maps local listings page. What would you guys say is the best way to go about doing this?
#google #listings #local
  • Profile picture of the author Dustin Bow
    First things first - get him submitted to the Google Local Business Center.

    tips for higher local map placements:

    a full and complete profile! pics, videos, info, etc.
    local listings on other directories like yelp, superpages

    A great resource for getting listed at a bunch of local directories is to use a service called Universal business listing.

    I think it's like $35 to have the biz submitted to a lot of different sites. The key though is to fill out that profile as much as possible.

    Take care,
    Dustin
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    • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
      3 Main Tips:

      # 1: Get the name address and contact details of the business on as man sites as possible.

      You don't need backlinks (although backlinks are always nice).

      Google maps is trying to work out where businesses are so they can give back an accurate location search.

      If the name and address of a business appears multiple times on local sites, sites related to the business, directories etc google will see that business as being the most relevant search for the location.


      # 2: Choose the categories you use in your listing wisely.

      You only get a few and in many cases the categories you enter plus your location is what you'll end up # 1 on google maps for when a search is made.


      # 3: Get reviews for the business. There are many ways to do this the most obvious being just getting the business to actively ask for them.

      Indications are that google is paying more attention to businesses that have a lot of different reviews in it's rankings.


      Kindest regards,
      Andrew Cavanagh
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      • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
        I'm just learning about these local listings.

        If you do this manually, what directories would you submit to, i.e., the list of directories, and how many?
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  • Profile picture of the author Trucker
    Getting Local Listings is not so tough these days, but one needs to be aware with the review at the site.

    One can get the profile updated with appropriate details of what the product, service or company is.

    You need to fill the relevant categories, accept the right order of service provision & get it verified.
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  • Profile picture of the author gmr324
    I signed up for and used the UBL listing service and was not pleased with the time factor. They accept listings all the time, but only forward the data to their directories once per month. Then, it can take up to 6-8 weeks for the business listing info to be reflected in those directories. So, you could be looking at a 3-month delay versus doing it yourself manually. Next time, I'll just outsource it to avoid the unnecessary delay. I understand they provide consitency of the business profile and contact information across the various directories, but not worth the wait in my opinion.
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  • Profile picture of the author gmr324
    As a follow up question to everyone who has setup citation for a Google Local Listing (either manually or via UBL), I understand it's a good practice to social bookmark each citation url. I'd prefer not to have to pay $5 per citation to do this on a site like fiverr.com . What is everyone using these days to handle automation of social bookmarking either backlinks or citations?

    Thanks

    George
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    • Profile picture of the author Caper224
      Thanks to everyone for their informative replies
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  • Profile picture of the author smartfinds
    Hi,

    The trick is to use the local business listings as a ongoing marketing tool. For this reason you have to claim the listing at the various local listing websites, search engines, communities,etc.

    Once you've claimed the listing (which is a good thing), then you go start updating information, keywords, categories, coupons, events, videos, photos, etc. Since there are security issues around claiming, it is not something that can be done in an automated fashion.

    After the initial round of updates, then it is a matter of going back and maintaining the listing with new information (e.g. videos, photos, coupons, events), getting citations from external sites (other local listing sites, content marketing, HCards), and monitoring/managing consumer reviews.

    Overall the process has to be done at multiple locations and I'm not sure that a business will have the time resources to manage this on their own long term. If you add Local SEO, Mobile Marketing and Geo-Social marketing to the mix this will be outsourced over the next 3 years.

    There is a difference between marketing services vs. data services too. The data services will not be the most effective method long term. Besides most businesses are already listed, not a matter of getting listed.

    Open to commentary.

    Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    I have found that taking the link to the Google Map and using that link on your citations can improve the ranking on the map page.
    Also, make sure you name the jpg files for your pictures with keywords you want to be ranked for.
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  • Profile picture of the author TryBPO
    Having a full/complete listing on Maps is definitely the first step. Google Maps listings don't necessarily need backlinks...they look for "web references" They'll look for other places that contain the same business name, address, phone number, etc. and will consider matches a reference to the same business. If you're using a keyword as the biz name, make sure your business is listed with that same keyword elsewhere or they may merge the listing to a business name you don't like.

    For Yahoo Listings, it's worth forking out the $10/month to get a dofollow link from Yahoo Local to your domain...

    Hope that helps!
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    • Profile picture of the author Caper224
      Originally Posted by TryBPO View Post

      Having a full/complete listing on Maps is definitely the first step. Google Maps listings don't necessarily need backlinks...they look for "web references" They'll look for other places that contain the same business name, address, phone number, etc. and will consider matches a reference to the same business. If you're using a keyword as the biz name, make sure your business is listed with that same keyword elsewhere or they may merge the listing to a business name you don't like.

      For Yahoo Listings, it's worth forking out the $10/month to get a dofollow link from Yahoo Local to your domain...

      Hope that helps!
      So, would posting to yahoo listing help with getting my ranked on google maps? would it act as a backlink?
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    • Profile picture of the author Vikuna2009+
      Originally Posted by TryBPO View Post

      Having a full/complete listing on Maps is definitely the first step. Google Maps listings don't necessarily need backlinks...they look for "web references" They'll look for other places that contain the same business name, address, phone number, etc. and will consider matches a reference to the same business. If you're using a keyword as the biz name, make sure your business is listed with that same keyword elsewhere or they may merge the listing to a business name you don't like.

      For Yahoo Listings, it's worth forking out the $10/month to get a dofollow link from Yahoo Local to your domain...

      Hope that helps!
      If I remember correctly, you no longer use a keyword as a business name. Google made some changes a while back. Can not remember exactly where I read it. Can somebody help me out on this one? Thanks, Eva
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  • Profile picture of the author humbledmarket
    Banned
    Thanks, About to enter the offline market and I'm sure this will be of great help. Posting here first just so I can refer back to it later.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vikuna2009+
    Originally Posted by Caper224 View Post

    I built a services website a client but I am clueless as to how to get him a top listing on the google maps local listings page. What would you guys say is the best way to go about doing this?
    http://www.seorabbit.com


    Also, check out Mike Blumenthals blog, he is the expert. Hope that helps, Eva
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  • Profile picture of the author Leads4Builders
    Yeah! this is my 50'st post...finally! I will PM you Caper. I can help.
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  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    Reviews are really important too. You want to strongly encourage the business to get reviews on there. Whether it is them having a few happy customers do it, or you helping, I have found it to be a fairly strong factor in ranking.

    Matt
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  • Profile picture of the author adell50
    "If you're using a keyword as the biz name, make sure your business is listed with that same keyword elsewhere or they may merge the listing to a business name you don't like."

    There has been some disagreement in this regard...does anyone have any definitive advice on this subject?
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