Business owners, and especially businesses that have a brick and mortar presence where customers can visit and purchase your products and services, should take note: Google has revamped its business recommendation tool and repackaged it as Google HotPot.

So what is Google HotPot? It’s an extension of Google Places, a Google Product where you can promote your business and business location. We’ve talked about it at length in the past, and you can read up on it here.

Now, you may be saying, “Not another tool we need to spend a ton of time on!” If you are, don’t worry. Google HotPot could be very instrumental in directing traffic to your business, but if you have been keeping up with recent online trends this shouldn’t add much more, if any, work to your plate. (more…)

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…)