Interactive Marketing Blog

Many SEO projects start with keyword analysis, web page content writing and later inbound link campaigns. For many companies, an easy win is a local business listing in Google Maps Local search results. Local search listings are free, appear at the top or sometimes in the middle of natural organic listings depending on keywords. They also provide almost instant visibility for small businesses, medium and large companies alike. Whiles it is still important to build a long term strategy for regular organic listings, take steps early to build and optimize your local search listings.

Google now offers some insight into your local search listings with it’s Local Business Center. Some great statistics are provided:

• Impressions – how many times your listings has been viewed or cued up
• Actions – where are people clicking on your listing?
• Top search queries – the terms people are using to find your listing
• Driving directions – where are people coming from before they visit your store?

A few tips for optimizing your local search listings:

• Keep your listing complete and updated
• Keep your listings consistent across all local search engines (see engines below)
  
• Gain citations through other sources (press releases, blog posts, etc.)
• Build landing pages for each store or branch location and link to those pages
  
• Include common local keywords (ex: Cleveland, Ohio Akron, OH)
  
• Include keywords in categories
• If you are not sure how to make updates, contact an SEO consultant to get help
• GetListed.org is free service to review your current footprint before making updates
  

Local Search Engines:

• Google Local Business Center
• Yahoo Local Search
• Bing Local
• AOL Local
• Yelp

What other resources or tips for improving your local search listings have you found useful? If so, please comment below.