Secret Local Business SEO Strategy Using Google Maps

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Google Maps is a great service, right up there with its competitors at Yahoo!®, Mapquest®  and others. However, one extra twist that’s going on at Google is that you can include your business address & information, and it gets integrated into the Google Maps search results via a tab near the top of the page.

Even more important, with the move to Universal Search, Google started integrating other types of search queries on their main web search, including local search results. The local listings are being driven by companies listed in maps.google.com…this was most commonly referred to as the 10-pack or 10-box. But here’s an update, as of November 2009, Google has removed 3 of the 10 box listings to make local search even more competitive – the 10- box is now the 7-box!  Here’s an example of a search for “Florists in Reston Va”

We’re going to briefly cover how to get your business website listed in Google Local Maps. But first I want to tell you why this is very important if you run a local business.

Very recently, and I mean very…as in April of 2009 Google started displaying local search results for NON-local search queries! So, knowing how to work Google local maps is very important to your local business ranking.

It’s most likely that these non-local search queries are pulling map results based on the searcher’s IP address. Example being if I’m looking for ‘florists’ on Google I’ll likely get a local search “7-box” listing. From an organic SEO marketers perspective this is not great news since it’s pushing their listings potentially off of page one (listed BELOW the 7- box)…however for a savvy SEO/SEM marketers, they’d have already taken advantage of this and be in the 7-box listing.

Ok, so now you’re ready to begin. You want to go to http://maps.google.com and then click on the link shown below (Put your business on Google Maps)…

If you don’t have a Google account you will need to sign up for one. Once you have a Google account you can then click the Add New Account button and then follow the steps.

For the Company/Organization section it is *VERY* useful to ensure you’re focused on your geo- targeted keyword phrase. Also keep this in mind when filling out the Description box. Make sure you work-in, naturally of course, the keyword phrases/terms you want to be pulled up for when someone does a search. This is one of the major criteria for getting pulled into the Local 7-box on Google queries.

One other thing to note. If you have a consulting or other type of service business, make sure to put in your local number as it may encourage potential customers to call. If you do not have a local number consider getting Vonage or Skype and requesting one. Do NOT use an 800 numbers as Google prefers you have a local number.

It’s also a good idea to have pictures, logos and even video if possible in your listing so that you take advantage of all the ways you can reach potential customers and differentiate your business.

One last thought, make sure to test the keywords you want to use to see if the Google 7 box appears for them before finalizing your keyword choices. You will have a better chance of appearing in the 7-box if your keywords already trigger the 7-box to show up.

Now go do it!

Google Wave: It’s The Next Huge Opportunity For Business Marketing

Anticipation and excitement is building about the official launch of the Google Wave. Trust me this will bring social media marketing to the next level.  Like all new applications, it’s hard to predict exactly how, but it will. If you have not heard about Gwave yet here are the basics:

• Google Wave is a real-time communications platform. It facilitates the use of email, instant messaging, wikis, web chat, social networking and project management (incorporating any media) in one easy-to-use interface.
• Like many Web 2.0 applications, the Wave is build on the cloud computing framework so it should be inexpensive and available for just about any Internet connected devise.
• Google’s Wave technology is based on the HTML 5.0 toolkit, which allows it to exist as a natural element of HTML coding for supporting browsers. Among other things, this enables email content to be hosted on a Wave.
• Wiki functionality is built in so a Wave can be edited by other users that share the platform withing a designated “Gwave community”.
• Key features of Google Wave is real time communication, Waves can be embedded in any website or blog and it is open source so developers (and marketers) can innovate new applications.

The opportunities to use Google Wave for business marketing are powerful and endless.

Think about Gwave this way.  It’s like message boards with the ability to be real time.  Moreover, you will be able to move a Wave anywhere you want on the Internet (blogs, websites) and add any kind of media with drag and drop functionality.

Imagine, a retail store email could direct customers and prospects to a Wave where they are viewing the merchandise in real time with hundreds, or thousands, of other potential customers. Here they can comment (or buy) on the email and special offers, and engage in discussions. As they get customer feedback, retail marketers can update, in real time, the merchandise assortment customers are most interested in. New merchandise is brought back to customers in real time.  Retailer could provide better service to customer by showing new merchandise ideas based on feedback.  Kind of like the person in the store handing new clothes over the stall while you are in the dressing room trying things on.

In this case, customers opening email multiple times in a day would see various merchandise assortments based on how the wave is evolving. Gwave takes targeting and customization to a new level, with content immediately tailored to each individual customer based on their feedback within the Wave.

Google Wave is still in it’s early stages and you can’t get it unless invited in. The key learning for you as a businesses owner or marketing exec is that you need to be in the game learning now.  With the tools and applications we have now.  Chances are Gwave builds on what we have, not replaces it.  Its a new world of marketing, and success will go to those that know how to thrive with new technology.

You can learn more at http://wave.google.com