google local business results - client not listed in a bunch of terms he should be

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I am typing some typically searched terms for a local client and I notice more often than not his company is not showing up in the list. I think this can account for a huge drop in business because that little google local business results shows sometimes 7 or 8 companies before it gets to the organic results which he is #1....

How can I get a business put into those local searches where I know they should be there??
#bunch #business #client #google #listed #local #results #terms
  • Profile picture of the author Jagged
    There have been many threads started on "how to" with Google local...getting a business shown in the 7-box, 3-box or even a 1-box.....it would be wise to search the WF for some of the more infomative threads...

    Basically, here is the layout:

    Sit down with your client, get some infomation from them about their business:
    -- Company name, address, local phone #, 800# if applicable, hours of operation
    -- Have them draft up a company description, 200 charactors or less...(you will take that & tweek it later to work in some targeted keywords)...
    -- Ask for photo's & video's to add to the local listing...
    -- Ask for information for specials or coupons that you can create for your local listing...
    -- Ask your client to think like a customer for a moment & write down 5 keyword or search terms (long tail keywords) that a basic customer would use to search for his business or business type (you do the same & compare)...

    .....your client is a local buisiness...correct?

    Create a new gmail account for the business...
    Use that gmail account to sign-up for Google Places (formally Google Local Business Center)...
    Click on "add a business"...
    You will see where you enter your clients business name & business description....use your main targeted keywords in both:
    -- For the business name do something like this.....if your client is a pizzaria in Tucson, AZ......"best pizza in Tucson, Tony's Pizza"...or "italian food takout, Tony's Pizza"...
    -- Take the business description & work in the targeted keywords.....instead of just..."Tony's Pizza, great pizza since 1995" use....Best italian deep dish pizza, serving the east side of Tucson since 1995"...or you can use specific zipcodes..many pizza shops target only certain areas or stick to a certain delivery area...

    Enter the exact business address & LOCAL phone number (if applicatale, use a 800# later, but not as the main local business contact number...)
    As far as the location....rule of thumb is.....the closer to the center of town, the better chance of higher listings...

    *You can create an account for a business with no physical address, or if your client goes to his customers & does not use an office to conduct his business....you can choose an area or general radius like 25 miles, etc.....i have done this successfully many times...

    Make sure the business website is listed!!!!

    Next is choosing categories...this is where many make mistakes by not using the correct category or by not using enough categories (you can have up to 5 categories)...it also allows you to customize your catgories...this is another perfect place to load in some keywords...

    Enter the hours of operation...
    Enter the clients payment options...

    Add your photo's, video's...(you can have up to 5 I believe...it might be more...)
    *Video's work real well...Google loves video's)

    Add or create coupons...(again I believe you can have up to 5...)

    Additional details:
    This is another great keyword place....be creative...you can add more if needed

    Ckick submit....this will take you to a page where you will need to verify your listing. Google allows this by phone or by mail....phon is by far the easiest & fastest way....but it has to be verified by the same business number listed above....
    I useually gt to this point, then contact the client & inform them that an automated call will be coming from Google with-in a few minutes....in that call will be a verification code...to write down that code...call me back with it....you will need to enter it where google asks...then click on verify...

    Keep in mind that not all search terms or keywords will generate a local map...

    Your done creating the local busienss listing!!
    BUT...there is still work to do...
    *most of this would fall under "monthly maintnance"...

    -- you will need to create accounts for your clients business at sights like Yelp.com, Merchantcircle.com, Local.com, Superpages.com, etc.....(there are a good 10 or more that should be joined)
    *when creating these accounts...use the exact same info you used to create the Google listing....it helps tremendously if this info matches up.......
    USE the same gmail account used to create the google places account....this is for easy verification if needed...
    -- Search for some local home town business directories & get listed in those also
    -- Some of these sites will be "intractive"...allowing customers to review or comment on your clients business....have your client ask some customers to please leave comments (favorable hopefully...lol)..These are called CITATIONS.....these are probably one of the most important factors google uses in determining local placement. It's most important to have citations...
    -- You can create press releases, artciles or blog entries that link to the local listing...

    Thats about it....If I missed anything...maybe somone can fill in the blanks...

    I would still perform a search of the forum for past threads...many were chocked full of good info...

    There are also some informative video's out that explain all this....
    Try these ..........or just search on YouTube....lots of info there too...

    Good luck...hope that helps,

    ~Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author tferraro11
    Good post Jagged! Very good content for newbies. Thanks for your time that you put into this post.
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  • Profile picture of the author ttrance
    wow this needs to be stickied super-ultra-hyper-mega-THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author ttrance
    -- you will need to create accounts for your clients business at sights like Yelp.com, Merchantcircle.com, Local.com, Superpages.com, etc.....(there are a good 10 or more that should be joined)
    What should i search for in google to find all these sites? "business review" ? any ideas how to find all these types of sites?
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  • Profile picture of the author Jagged
    (your town) business review....
    (your town) business directory....
    or just business review to find the more national ones...

    OR just search for anything locally...scroll down the page & look for results from directories & local portals....the first few pages of any search should be full of them.

    a couple more:
    insiderpages.com
    bluefrog.com
    genieknows.com
    urbanspoon.com (restaurants)
    zagat.com (restaurants)


    Somewhere here I have a list of the major ones...I'll post it when I locate it

    Also, look for niche specific directories.....example: your client makes custom cakes....for birthdays, weddings, etc......not only look for bakery portals, but wedding portals, event planner portals, party suppliers, etc... ...get listed in as many of those...especially if they geo-target your market area.

    Angieslist.com is growing & getting good search results.....use this if your client is more service related like plumbers, construction companies, air conditioning-cooling, doctors, lawyers etc...

    OH...can't forget to create local listings for yahoo local & bing local

    ~Ken
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    • Profile picture of the author thefuture
      Originally Posted by Jagged View Post

      (your town) business review....
      (your town) business directory....
      or just business review to find the more national ones...

      OR just search for anything locally...scroll down the page & look for results from directories & local portals....the first few pages of any search should be full of them.

      a couple more:
      insiderpages.com
      bluefrog.com
      genieknows.com
      urbanspoon.com (restaurants)
      zagat.com (restaurants)


      Somewhere here I have a list of the major ones...I'll post it when I locate it

      Also, look for niche specific directories.....example: your client makes custom cakes....for birthdays, weddings, etc......not only look for bakery portals, but wedding portals, event planner portals, party suppliers, etc... ...get listed in as many of those...especially if they geo-target your market area.

      Angieslist.com is growing & getting good search results.....use this if your client is more service related like plumbers, construction companies, air conditioning-cooling, doctors, lawyers etc...

      OH...can't forget to create local listings for yahoo local & bing local

      ~Ken

      woow Ken Perry do you have skype bro case i got local business site it on the st 1 page i dont know why iam not getting any calls??
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