Category Archives: Local Maps SEO

seeinsidebusinesses

According to CNet.com, Google recently introduced a new feature that allows users to see inside businesses before visiting them. Panoramic photos shared by businesses on their Google+ Local page allow users to take a virtual trip inside the location so they know what to expect when they visit it.

To see the panoramic photos, you must zoom in toward street level on Map. Then click, drag and drop the orange figure (known as Pegman) on the portion of the Map you want to see. Once your Pegman has been dropped, you will see orange dots indicating businesses that have submitted panoramas to Google. According to the article, thousands of local businesses have done this already. If you drop the Pegman on top of one of the dots, the panorama will open and you can click and drag to explore inside the location.

If you are a local business owner who is thinking of submitting panoramic photos of your business, to services like Panaramio remember to optimize them with geo-targeted keywords for Google first to help with your local SEO efforts. Photo optimization is a perfect fit to highlight business listings on Google Maps and Google Plus.

Fun Fact: In addition to being able to see inside business locations, Google Streetview includes the inside of the White House and many museums!

Local Mobile MarketingThese days, your local search and mobile marketing campaigns should go hand in hand. If you’re a local business looking to get your company seen in the local search results (Google Maps), then you can’t ignore that many consumers are using their phones to find information about local businesses.

The Facts:

  • 40% of Google Maps usage is on mobile devices
  • 33% of mobile searches are local and 61% of those users actually called the business
  • Nearly 80% of smartphone users use their phones to help with shopping and 74% make a purchase
  • 61% of smartphone users search for local info while on-the-go with their mobile devices
  • Mobile Internet users will surpass desktop Internet users by 2014

What You Can Do:

  • Claim your Google listing. If you haven’t already, find your business on Google. You will see “Is This Your Business?” on the right hand side of your Google+ Local page. Click “Manage this page” to claim your business.
  • Edit the content of your page in Google Places for Business.  Add 5 Google categories to your business, fill out your business description with relevant keywords and add as many photos as possible (Google allows up to 10). Optimizing your page makes it attractive to search engines and potential customers.
  • Use Google Offers. These can be seen on the Android phones of consumers searching in your area. According to comScore, most people who use offers return to the business again in the future. Sixty percent of all local searchers use offers from their phones.

Our new video tells the story of Ashley, the small business owner whose coffee shop is suffering due to competition from large corporations. Ashley realizes the Yellow Pages is no longer the best place for her to advertise her business. She knows that most consumers use the Internet to find information about local companies, but she doesn’t know how to begin getting her coffee shop found online. Can you relate? Find out what she did to get noticed.

Watch the video: