Google Local Business Center: Local Search Engine Optimisation

Submitted by Makakman on Thu, 26/06/2008 - 12:07.

Companies that only deal in local business need ways to attract people to their site, not from Outer Mongolia, unless that's your niche market, but from the surrounding area. Other than optimising your website what options do you have?

The first option and most basic is to adjust your Google account in Webmaster Tools and Set Geographic Target. This isn't necessary if your site ends in .co.uk as it's already associated with the United Kingdom, but is required if you have a .com domain.

Next you can utilise the free service from Google called Local Business Center. Here you can provide your business address which is displayed on a map and pin points exactly where you are.

Other information that you can also provide are opening hours, photos, description and most importantly a category which will help Google identify exactly what your business provides.

Something I've only recently noticed is the area to provide video from sites such as YouTube to enhance your listing even further.

Don't forget to fill your listing in fully as it's yet another reference point for users and could deter them if not completed professionally.

Local Business Listing is also an important factor. Search out those local directories and add your business and try to get your keywords and location into the title and description.

Google also lets you create maps to display on your site which is another way to promote locally and at the same time provide a valuable piece of information for users.

The map below was created for a client to provide information of shops, bars, restaurants etc. in the local area.

View Larger Map

Visit Google Maps to get started.

The above work alongside SEO of your website will help you rank for local searches and provide more targeted information for searchers.

Makakman's blog

How to rank better

Submitted by Idaho SEO on Fri, 27/06/2008 - 00:05.

Yeah, but how do you show up on the links by the map better?

Customer Reviews

Submitted by Makakman on Fri, 27/06/2008 - 08:09.

Hi Idaho, to help you stand out from the crowd you need to have a customer review either through Google or via a local business directory. This is highlighted at the end of your listing. In both cases your client will need an account to verify but once done it'll give you a slight edge on your competition.

Thanks for the comment.

Google Local Opportunities

Submitted by Scott McAndrew on Sat, 23/08/2008 - 20:23.

This is a great post, and I think the possibilities with Google Local are barely being explored by most SEO practitioners, let alone businesses. With Google's affinity for content for its Universal Search, I'd concur that adding video and photos to your listing is a good way to not only differentiate yourself from the other listings in your category, but to also potentially feed Google's appetite for going 'beyond text'.

The first thing I do

Submitted by Mackerel Media on Tue, 11/11/2008 - 12:53.

This is a great post - well done on giving the issue some much needed prominence. I'm always amazed at how little other people seem to know about Google Maps and the Local Business Centre.

When I take on a new client the first thing I do is make sure that their listing is live, and if it's not, set one up. I've found it to be very successful in attracting not only site traffic but also footfall for some of my retail clients. For example, one company I'm working with had a German customer walk in who had seen the local listing prior to visiting Edinburgh. They placed a huge order there and then.

When you add that to the other tools - the ones you've alluded to and, for example, the ability to build custom overlays and what not, it's a real wonder that it isn't as popular as it could be.

Lastly, with the importance being given to well-reviewed web sites and companies (via sites like Qype, wcities, Tripadvisor and so on), the local result listings are becoming hugely more important. There will come a day when if you don't have a google local listing, it will be almost as bad as not having a phone number.

Good points

Submitted by Makakman on Thu, 13/11/2008 - 12:36.

The Mackerel makes some good points which are essential for a website just launched. These points are further illustrated on their blog, go check it out!

What happens if you want local and national listing?

Submitted by Steve Constable on Mon, 23/02/2009 - 19:28.

This is great for a local listing. But what if you are seeking local and national viewers. I have a web site - Polish and I want Chicago and rest of USA. Would having a listing on Google Local business hurt?

It all helps...

Submitted by Makakman on Mon, 23/02/2009 - 19:44.

@Steve Having a listing sure won't hurt your national search results but it'll definitely help locally. Depending on the keyword it'll be easier to rank locally and then you can build from there.

Life Before Google

Submitted by Googler on Sun, 01/03/2009 - 03:43.

I sometimes wonder how anyone did anything online before Google! Maybe I'm just getting old and my memory is failing, but I don't remember. I love that Google offers so many really great apps for free. Another one I really like is the Google Analytics program.

Thank you for this post I

Submitted by Tampa Seo on Tue, 17/03/2009 - 04:22.

Thank you for this post I have been trying to get my business inthe google map on page one forever! And to the "googler" above life before google was basically easy search engine manipulation, it was too easy to get to the top :)