This week, Google announced some new changes to improve local search and promote Maps listings. Well, that sits just perfectly with us. Here at OrangeSoda, we’ve been offering organic search optimization for four years and local optimization for nearly two years. Google Places marks an important change that will bring those two things together and—just in time—we’re announcing CitrusBlast, the best of both worlds. Read On
Maps listings are a huge part of local business marketing strategy. I have heard Google referred to as the “new phonebook.” I laugh about it, but at the same time, it’s completely true. When I’m looking to order lunch at work, I type in the name of the restaurant and the city into Google, and look specifically for the maps listing. The more situations in which the maps listings prove useful, the more programmed people will be to use them. Where is your business in the listings? Read On
Have you done a search for your business only to find bad reviews? How often do potential clients google your name before doing business with you? Have you already lost business due to bad reviews? Obviously you should listen to your customers, but are all your customers speaking?
These questions constantly plague business owners. The fact is, it’s much easier to motivate negative reviews than to motivate positive. But just because it can be hard doesn’t mean that it’s not worth the effort! You can encourage your happy clients to be more vocal and leave reviews.
What is a Google profile? Check out mine. Google profiles are simple webpages where you can put general information about yourself.
But there’s more. You can also include links, and that is where the SEO power is! Below the main area is a place to put as many links as you want. Your Delicious page, your Facebook profile, your blog, your LinkedIn profile, your Twitter feed….and on and on.
Profiles are public and include your actual name and/or a nickname. You can set it so your real name is displayed just to your contacts. You can list your occupation, where you are located (your profile will be used for Google Maps), a list of links, your photo and a short introduction.
As far as links: you can put whatever text you want to become a link back to your web site (or any other site). So, if your site sells “sunglasses” and one of your keywords is “fashion sunglasses” then use those words for the link. You can even link to sections of your site (like a brand name of specific fashion sunglasses) and then link to that category page.
Go here to create your own profile. Your profile will come in handy in the future as Big G integrates it’s profile system with other social networks, etc.
