Recently we blogged about the virtues of Local Search, and specifically some important things to look at in your Google Listing to try and penetrate the elusive Google Ten Pack. It appears that this topic is hotter than we thought. Not only have we received feedback that businesses were wondering how other businesses got listed there (and therefore loved the post), but we have heard from people who have been affected by spammers of local search.

Yes – local search is seen as such a benefit that (more…)

Moving? Changing email addresses? New phone number?

Don’t forget to contact your webmaster when you have any information that needs to be modified. You’d be surprised how many places need to be updated! Let’s say you’re moving … well there is the easy place to start which is by emailing all your contacts in your address book or sending a “We’ve Moved” card snail mail style. But don’t stop there! (more…)

Google Local is all the buzz with the expansion of local results for non local search queries. What are you talking about? Let’s delve into this a bit more.

If you type in a non local search query, Google now shows search results related to your IP address  regardless whether you typed in your location or not! What’s even better is that these local search results are pulling in whether you are signed into your Google account or not! Wild. Go ahead, try it out. (more…)

Thinking outside the box is standard procedure in the world of internet marketing! A sophisticated and intelligent world-wide market has succeeded in demanding (and receiving) better quality websites, professional writing and copy, lightning-fast speed, slick audio and interactive environments.  So…what if you’re a ‘Mom and Pop’? Maybe you have a small brick-and-mortar shop, have a specialty item you want to sell, or just want to stick your toe in the water and see if you have what it takes to run with the big dogs? Is there room for you, or has it all just gotten too big? (more…)

Have you ever tried searching for a local business in your neck of the woods and you simply just can’t find it? Kinda frustrating, huh? Sometimes,  searching locally isn’t always a walk in the park.

So, this new cafe (which opened it’s doors about a month ago) is super cute, has great food and is located within walking distance of where I live. This past weekend, I tried looking up the menu online to show my friend who came in from out of town. Did I mention that I was super excited to bring her here, as it’s a chic little boutique cafe that I just knew she’d love.

Anyways, I ventured over to my trusted search engine, plugged in “glens falls restaurants” and hit enter, waiting for a list to appear. Hmmm, nothing but a laundry list of directories to weed through. Let’s try this again, “glens falls cafes”…nada. I think Am I spelling this wrong? Surely, a brand-spankin’ new restaurant must have a website! After all, what is this – the 1990’s?! Sigh…

I finally gave up and typed in the actual name of the gourmet cafe and found it way down on a long annoying list of restaurant directories. Danggit – no website! Not a very good user experience, that’s for sure.

Getting found locally doesn’t have to be so cumbersome. Luckily, this can all be solved if businesses follow a few quickie tips for getting found locally in the search engines.

Top Local Directories to submit your business, write reviews or rate others:

• Online communities, such as Yelp.com, Saratoga.com (if local) or Albany.com (if local) to review, rate, rant or rave
• Local Directories offering free or fee based listings: InsiderPages.com, CitySquares.com, MojoPages.com, and TrueLocal.com

Submit to Internet Yellow Pages:

• SuperPages.com
• YellowPages.com
• Switchboard.com

Submit to Local Directories in Search Engines:

• List your business/website in the local business section on Google, Yahoo or MSN! It’s free and you are even given the opportunity to add photos or write reviews.

For more information, check out this post by Aaron Wall. Hope this information helps you to locally, get found on the web!