Improving Your Business’s Position in Foursquare’s Search Engine

As Foursquare continues to mature into more than just a check-in service, businesses are paying more attention to their position in the service’s search engine. Foursquare has been focusing heavily on localized search and harnessing the power of their check-in data.

Compared to traditional search engines and SEO, Foursquare’s search engine is nearly impossible to influence with typical SEO tactics. Your business will not rise to the top of the search results by optimizing or building links to your listing. So how do you increase your position in the service’s search results?

Let’s start first and foremost with check-ins. Encouraging visitors to “check-in” at your location, for each and every visit, will only aid in improving your position in the search results. The number one signal that Foursquare uses to determine rankings are check-ins.

Don’t be afraid to ask for the check-in, too. For instance, in a local Offerdahl’s Café Grill that I visit, they have a Foursquare check-in sticker on the door that you can’t avoid as you walk in. Then, as you proceed to read the menu and give your order, there is another sign encouraging you to check-in. Needless to say, I never forget to check-in while I’m there.

Other factors that may affect your rankings to some degree include “likes”, the number of tips, photos and lists your business is added to. Get creative when encouraging visitors to take these actions. Your customers will appreciate discounts, coupons, and specials for taking the time to check-in and leave a tip.

How do you encourage patrons to check-in at your location?

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Google Places: 5 Reasons To Claim Your Listing

Google Places is a great way for your local business to harness the power of the web. Your free web listing includes a business address, hours of operation, email, web address, photos, videos and even customer reviews.

1) It's Good SEO

Your Google Places listing is just one piece of your SEO puzzle considering that these listings usually appear at the top of local search queries such as "best italian food". Having your local business appear at the top of the results for your location and category is a good thing. Your Google Places listing also gets you a red push pin on Google Maps allowing users to click on the push pin to see more information about your business.

2) One Word: Mobile

According to the Official Google blog, by the end of 2011, over one billion people will be connected to the web via a mobile device and over 50% of Americans will own a smart phone. Users who find your listing can click to call instantly or get turn by turn directions via Google Maps.

3) Social Rules

Your listing will usually have a star rating and a link to customer reviews. What better way to encourage someone to visit your business? Everyone is talking about it and the news is good!

4) Video

Video is playing a very important role in online marketing these days. Google Places will allow you to post up to 5 videos (and 10 photos) for free. Testimonials, reviews, tours of the business and interviews with your staff are all great ways to invite new customers to check you out.

5) Analytics

In addition to Google Analytics, your page account collects important data about who's looking for you such as top search queries and clicks to your site. It's not as robust as Google Analytics but useful nonetheless.

Have you claimed your Google Places listing? Get to it!

InternetMarketingClub.org Presents Low and No Cost Local & Mobile Search Marketing

Join Mike Monahan, Director of Internet Marketing for World Travel Holdings as he presents, “Low and No Cost Local & Mobile Search Marketing”. Learn how everyone from Small Individual Businesses, Large Franchises and Retail Organizations can Leverage the Growth of Local and Mobile Search to grow their businesses.

This presentation will explain the following topics:

• Answer the question of: Why Local?
• Best Practices for using Free Local Listings
• Understanding On-Page Factors in Local SEO
• The Future of Local Search and Mobile Marketing

This free webinar will take place Wednesday, August 4, 2010 12:30pmEST – 1:30pmEST. To register and for more information please visit: Low and No Cost Local & Mobile Search Marketing

How Fundamental Website Attributes Potentially Relate to Local Search Rankings

I recently found a great article that really takes you back to some of the basics of website usability or what many consider common sense. Unfortunately, a lot of websites nowadays forget classic website attributes that really help consumers find what they are looking for. Are you trying to find more ways to potentially improve your local search rankings? Below are 5 elements to include on your website which are believed to aid in generating good quality scores in turn making it a more helpful visit for consumers:

1. Contact Us / Location Pages. Often consumers would prefer a form of communication outside of a contact form. When possible, include your business contact information.

2. Maps [Ideally Google Maps]. This gives Google an additional way to connect your site with local searches.

3. Telephone numbers in a standard format. Providing this in a flashy format or embedded in an image only makes it harder for search engines to read.

4. Testimonials. Many consumers feel more comfortable knowing your product or service has satisfied customers.

5. Product & service descriptions. Make sure to describe your products and services clearly for your potential customers.

Google has not confirmed that these 5 elements are part of their algorithms. But at the end of the day, these elements will only make a consumer happier by making their visit to your site more helpful and hopefully resulting in conversions.