November 1st, 2009
President Barack Obama don’t forget the small businesses in America! Over 80% of Americans are employed by small businesses. True recovery will only start when small businesses start growing again.
Obama Speaking in a small business near Washington, said the initiatives would make it easier for smaller community banks to provide credit to small businesses, but as of yet the banks are still not loaning money.
The bailout will start with leaner, smarter, small businesses learning how to grow in this economy. If you are holding your breath for your government bailout you will be closing your doors.
Time to be smarter, track every call back to your advertising source. In this economy you never need to sign a contract for any advertising. If it works do more of it, if it doesn’t stop now.
- When was the last time you called a number from a billboard?
- When was the last time you took a soliciting call?
- When was the last time you used the phone book?
- When was the last time you read junk mail?
When was the last time you used Google?
Spend your money advertising were you spend your time!
Tags: Small Business Bailout
Posted in Google Local Business Listing | No Comments »
October 18th, 2009
- Open a Google account (its free).
- Accurately enter in your Business Info.
- Add some Photo to set your site apart
- Add a coupon
- Make a youtube video
- Attach it to your listing
- Add information like opening hours, payment types, and additional details to help users choose among search results.
- Make sure that the location of your business on the map is correct so users can find you.
- Remember, you can always drag the map marker to the exact location of your business.
- Make sure to list your authoritative business website as your homepage, since Google uses information from your homepage to help improve search results.
- Its in the Title, Title your web site properly.
- Make the most out of your description meta tags work in your key terms and city
- Organize the structure of your site, Google likes focus. If your are a contractor that specializes in kitchen and bathrooms you need to categories your site into two very clear areas (Silos).
- If you have to cross link use a no-follow link to keep your content clean and accurate
- URLs can be a road map for Google example https://contractor.com/kitchen-remodeling.htm
- Use words in your URL that are relevant to your site
- Avoid generic urls page1.html
- Use mostly text for navigation its easier for google to find all your pages (thats good).
- Two words sitemap page get one today!
- Quality Content
- 404 – Use a 404 redirect on pages that are no longer existent allowing google guides them backto your site.
- Relevant language- think about the words that a user might search to find your business. Often people who know you allot about your product or service may us different keywords.
- Fresh new content keeps your exiting visitors and google coming back.
- Do Not create hidden content
- Do Not copy or rehash old content
- Do Not create content just for Google
- Use H-tags on topics with keywords
- Avoid placing text in H-tags that wouldn’t be helpful in the structure of the page
- Optimize your images, the “alt” attribute allows you to specify alternative text for the images
- Do not use your vanity number 877-799-LIST. Google does not read that as a phone number, you must use 877-799-5478.
Tags: 30 Ways to get on Local Google Maps
Posted in Google Local Business Listing | No Comments »
October 18th, 2009
When was the last time you….
- Call a number from a billboard?
- Took a soliciting call?
- Read junk mail?
When was the last time you used 
?
Where are your customers looking?
Today we can tune out almost every distracting marketing known. Caller id stops the unwanted telemarketing calls, DVR and TVO we can fast forward through commercial. Now inbound marketing is taking over. When you want more info on a products or service you go to you computer open up Google and start searching (inbound marketing). When your customers search for your products and services are they finding you or just your competitors? Last month alone there were 784 people who searched for carpet cleaner in Tampa and 657 that searched carpet cleaning Tampa. What % of those people do you think got there carpets cleaned last month? 50,60, 70 maybe 80%? How many of those customers called you?
Inbound marketing has a 600% greater ROI than outbound marketing. That mailer your sent out to 5000 customers what % of them needed there carpets cleaned? They sold you on 1-3% and you got 3 calls. Does a Contractor need a website? If he wants to stay a contractor he does.
Tags: Does a Contractor need a Website?
Posted in Google Local Business Listing | No Comments »
October 7th, 2009
Attract Local Website Visitors
Best way to find local customers is Google Maps local businesses your customers can get driving directions to where your location. With millions of local search being preformed every day Google Local Maps is also a great way for your company to get new local business! If you have a business that caters to local customers BeListed1st can get you on Google Local Maps in your city, a listing on Google Maps makes it easy for local customers to find you.
Large or a small Mom and Pop business it’s time to start thinking locally because that’s where your customers are looking. If you’re not promoting your business on Google Maps (and Yahoo! Local), now is the time to get started. Google Maps gets the highest search engine visibility for the highest ROI for local city oriented keyword phrases like “Carpet Cleaning Orlando”, Landscaping Clearwater”, or “Sarasota cosmetic dentist.
Google is getting smarter, even with out searching a city, Google local maps are starting to appear. Google is identifying your IP Address (its like a phone number with area code for your computer) and at some point they may even have asked you for your zip code to identify your location. When potential customers search Google, local maps are appearing if Google thinks you are looking for local goods or services.
Highest Visibility Search Results
Google Local Maps results show up usually just below the Google Sponsored Links/PPC Ads and above the organic search results.
- Google Sponsored Links AdWords, Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Ads
- Google Maps – Map and Business Listings A, B, C…
- Natural Rankings - Organic Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
By using the Belisted1st Google Maps search engine optimization program we are able to generate more business and a higher ROI. Example, we helped our client Musca Law – Miami – get listed #1 for all three, Google AdWords, Google Maps and Google organic rankings.
Belisted1st program puts your company on Google Maps gets your website in the “Sweet Spot” of Visibility as you can see from the Google Eye Tracking Test Results. This study shows that most viewers look at the top left of the monitor first when view a web page. This is right where Google Maps are displayed.
When your business is listed prominently on Google Local Maps, usually you appear before businesses in the organic search results competing to be #1 . Bring you new customers every month with a 600% higher ROI then outbound marketing.
Tags: Local google Maps, local seo, Map Listing
Posted in Google Local Business Listing | No Comments »
November 20th, 2009
Change is coming
Googles new PPC Local Business Listings
Googles new PPC for local business listing are coming. Goolge has been hard at work make big changes in the Local Maps and the next change is PPC for map listings.
Along with the new map PPC change, the Google 10 Pack is the new 7 pack. The shrinking of the 10 pack was to accommodate the room for the new PPC map listing. Your local listings may not show the PPC listings yet but they are coming and soon.
The new blue pins designate PPC on the maps if they fall in local city map and shown in addition to the regular sponsored listings.
The new PPC ads have been controversial. Apparently being sold dependent on the market and niche at a fixed rate price, not as part of Google Adwords. This is similar to the way ads have been sold on some of the Internet Yellow Page sites (IYP).
While we’re used to seeing the IYPs struggling to keep up with Google’s influence in the local marketplace, it’s interesting to see Google trying on some of the trappings typical of the IYPs.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
