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Google is Changing The Game for Local Search.
There is a Massive Paradigm Shift Taking Place Right Now in regards to Google Maps, Local Search Marketing and Smart Phone Search - your business can either benefit from this incredible paradigm shift or forever be left behind in your competitions rear view mirror - the choice is yours. To take advantage of this new technology Google has rolled out you MUST be an early adopter of this technology and act fast, and even then you need to maintain it. Regardless whether you have a small local business, or a regional chain of locations, local search marketing offers tremendous opportunities for early adopters whom embrace this new shift in local search. There are countless opportunities when your business Organically shows up on the first page of Google. Getting there FIRST offers you a huge advantage over your competitors.
What's Currently Happening:
Local listings are gaining valuable real estate on first page search results, locally focused websites are appearing with more frequency for nonspecific search phrases as well, thanks in part to Google’s New Local Search Technologies such as Google Instant, Google Maps, Google Places, Google Mobile and the real-time nature of today’s Web. In some industries and in major cities throughout the U.S., Google has started giving prime real estate search results to their business listing platform Google Maps/Places. It is pushing anywhere from 20 to 70% of the top organic listings to page two of the specific local search results, and rewarding those businesses that have a complete listing (and some not so complete) prime positions on page one. Local businesses who once had an Organic page one ranking on Google are now finding themselves on page 2, 3, 4 and even farther back in the page rankings. And those businesses that never had a true presence on the Internet have been pushed down even farther in the depths of the search engine abyss. A Huge Paradigm shift truly is taking place for local search.
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OLD Google Search Result Layout (click image to enlarge) |
New Google Search Result Layout ( click image to enlarge) |
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Now.. More than Ever You Need A Professional Partner In LOCAL SEARCH MARKETING.
 "There are many subtle nuances' to creating proper and complete local search listings on Google and the Directories which Google pulls it's information from." |
Improper Setup of Your
Business Listing May Will Result In:
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Here are Just a Few of The Fatal Errors Most Businesses Are Making . . .
1. Not Gaining Control of There Business Listing - Many Businesses have not yet claimed their listing in Google Places, which means they are not in control of their business information on Google Maps or in Google Local Search. Google, to fill in informational gaps that it's missing in regards to your company; pulls information found on the web that could be outdated, inaccurate and have nothing to do with your business. Google can pull random Videos, Pictures, as well as bad reviews of other companies that have nothing to do with your business and inadvertently shine a bad light on your business and business reputation.
Google is taking information from wherever they're able to to get it
as quickly as possible. Unless you claim your listing and provide them
the content they demand,
somebody else will. It may be as harmless as a directory that copied old
information from a hard copy directory or as malicious as a disgruntled
ex-employee
or worse, a competitor which uses your details along with their phone
number to steal business from you. The point is, you need to be in
charge of the
information about your company that is on the internet. It's essential
to go through Google’s procedure for claiming your business listing in
Google Places and have
a professional do it on your behalf.
2. Multiple Variations of Your Business Address - Here is the primary problem everyone has when they list their business with Google Local Search. We’re not writing about incorrect information such as a mistyped address or spellings, we’re writing about the different variations an address can be written. Humans understand different variations, but computers don’t. If on your company website it lists your address as 1234 Broadway Street, but in Google Places where you list your business for local search it reads 1234 Broadway St, Google sees those as two different addresses. People recognize that Street, St, and St. all mean the same thing, but computers see them as three separate things and as a result will hurt your listings as a consequence of it. Your business website, Directory Listings (see below) as well as your Google Place page must match EXACTLY or you will not rank very long if at all for Local Search.
3. Not Creating Citations with The Major Online Directories and Data Providers - A citation is simply a listing of information regarding your company on a website other than Google. This can include your contact page on your business website as well as any directory or review site where your business is listed. These citations, if they accurately match the information Google has in its databases about you, can help your Google business listing rank well in Google Local Search. If your business is not listed in these directories - Google has no information to verify your Google Places information. These websites are also places that Google can grab reviews and information from to add to your business listing on their site, so you need to claim or create listings on them as well. It also gives customers and prospective customers more ways to find you. There are numerous directories throughout the internet, and to save time and frustration, it is best to use a service such as ours. We are able to submit to all necessary directories at once and ensure consistent information across all listings.
4. Underestimating The Power or Monitoring of Google's Customer Review Option - Testimonials or Reviews are customer generated content that is shown on your Google Place page. Google Publishes Positive and NEGATIVE comments about your business. This really is both a Blessing and a Curse because unless you solicit reviews from your customers you will never know what they are going to say about you. Google does allow you as the owner of the listing to respond to the review, but when a negative review is posted, the Damage is DONE , and you cant take it off. If you respond to a negative review online without addressing the issue offline, you run the risk of creating a personal war between you and the offended user or customer. If the negative review is some problem with your company, take the time to look at your business and see what you can improve to fix the problem, then address the issue through your listing. It can become a great positive advertisement for your company.
5. Attempting to Maintain Local Search Marketing Independently - It's a fact that most companies do not have the Time, Knowledge, Resources, or Expertise to be successful and competitive in Local Search or Search Engine Marketing in General. Most find that all there time is quickly consumed with frustration settling in very quickly, and are finding themselves penalized for not having the listing done right the first time. Setting up a Google Map listing is free, but that’s not the end of the job. You must create and submit several hundred citations, monitor, update and enhance your listing on a regular basis, or you won’t be on top for long. You also need to educate yourself on all the new technology that changes almost daily, even if you happen to get your listing on the top of the map - what happens when your competitors start using these strategies? It’s only a matter of time before they do. Your listing can disappear with no warning, and for no apparent reason. Regular maintenance, monitoring and updating of your listing is the only way to be sure you stay on top.
6. There are countless other mistakes...
Now...
More than Ever - Your Business Needs a Professional Partner In LOCAL SEARCH MARKETING.
Over the last decade Datastream Technologies has spent a significant amount of time and resources keeping current in Internet Marketing, SEO, SEM and Smartphone Technologies our staff is continually on the razors edge of the new marketing technologies that appear seemingly overnight. It's not easy and there's a lot to keep up with as the industry changes by the minute. However, because of our commitment to excellence in the SEM Playing field - we are at the forefront of this industry which means we stay leaps and bounds in front of our competitors.
We act and react quickly to the changes in the SEM market. We are in the position provide your business with the Knowledge, Services, Techniques and Expertise that will benefit your business greatly in staying ahead of the Local Search curve with the end result of ranking on the First Page of Google and reaping the benefits that come along with such a prominent ORGANIC First Page Ranking and Google Maps Position with the end result of your competition chasing you. We recommend Talking with one of our LOCAL SEARCH DIRECTORS - a Free, No Obligation 15 minute Consultation so you can get ALL the details of how your business can take advantage of this paradigm shift - click the book now button below to set up a convenient time to speak with you.
LOCAL SEARCH MAP PRODUCT DETAILS AND PRICING
Watch Now: The Importance of First Page Google Ranking Video
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