Local Search Tip - Mentioning Local Landmarks

Local business listings in search engines are a great way to be found online, especially if you are a local business owner. Aside from setting up a Google Local Business Center account (which you should absolutely do if you have a physical business location), there are some on page factors that will help you move up the local business rankings.

It is very important to include geographic modifiers in the content of your website, paired with your targeted keywords. For example, if you sell widgets in Boca Raton, FL, then you should have a phrase like "widgets in Boca Raton, FL" somewhere on your website. This will have a big effect on the position your local business listing shows up on a search engine result page.

A lesser known tip, however, is to talk about local landmarks on your website. Google and the other search engines are very good at determining location based on the landmarks surrounding that area. For this reason, mentioning local landmarks will give the search engines a better clue of where your business is located. So if you have a business in Miami, you will not only want to mention Miami on your website, but also mention landmarks like Landshark Stadium, South Beach, or American Airlines Arena.

Mentioning local landmarks on your website is a subtle tactic, but can have a strong effect in your local business listings by reinforcing your location to the search engines.

Why You Must Have a Google Local Business Listing NOW

A couple of weeks ago, Google announced it would be providing stats on searches and visits generated via the Google Maps and Google Local Business listings. This information was never available before, and although the current stats offered are basic, the value is immense.

Consider this - people searching local businesses are likely to be in a buying mindset. If a person searches for driving directions to your location, they're likely to be planning a visit soon. Online marketers know that many consumers "search online, but buy offline". Now, we can prove it.

The statistics it provides are rather basic and simple to understand:

• Top search queries people used to find your listing.
  
  
• How many people viewed the search engines' results pages where your listing appeared.
  
  
• How many people clicked through to view your Maps listing.
  
  
• How many people clicked through to get driving directions to your location.
  
  
• Zip codes of the searchers who requested driving directions to your location.
  
  
• How many people clicked through to your Web site.

But, YOU can't get any of this info unless you claim and enhance your Local Business Listing in Google.

By claiming your Local Business Listing, you also gain the advantage of assuring you can control the information displayed about your business (see example), rather than leaving that up to someone else. There is even a feature to offer a coupon built into the listing. And for search phrases that include geographic modifiers, you can appear at the top of the SERPs.

Google's step by step "wizard" and instructional video will allow you to claim and enhance your Local Business Listing and Google Maps listing - and get started today.

Google Maps About To Overtake MapQuest

Although MapQuest is still the leader in the online map space, Google Maps is getting closer and closer to overtaking the market share. Back in January 2008, Google Maps held just over 20% of the market share while MapQuest held strong at over 50%. By February 7 of 2009, however, Google upped its market share to 36%, while MapQuest dropped to 39%. With the two applications now almost neck and neck, MapQuest has been adding new features in an attempt to regain its foothold. With Google maps blended so well in search results, it is not likely that MapQuest will be able to hold on much longer.

What does this mean for internet marketing? Get those local business ads up in AdWords and register your company in Google’s Local Business Center.