Category Archives: Local SEO

This is a collection of all Local Splash Blog posts that cover Local SEO

Google Offers Gets a Makeover

Last Updated On June 4th, 2023Local SEO, , , , ,

Google Offers recently went through some drastic changes. Here are some key differences between Google Offers now and before the update:

  • Business owners must clearly identify the amount of the discount (percentage or dollars off).
  • The offer can be limited to a single use (per user).
  • The offer can be limited to a certain quantity usage.
  • The discount is currently applied to all locations in a Google Places account (we speculate this could change).
  • Google Offers is no longer free to use. Currently there is a limited time free trial period, however business owners will be notified about pricing details before the trial period concludes.
  • Business owners can now track the total number of offers that have been saved and how many have been redeemed through their Google Places account.
  • Google Offers is now distributed through Google Maps for Android in addition to Google Offers and Wallet mobile apps – this means Offers are only visible from a mobile device in apps like Google Maps for Android and Google Places.
How It Works:

googleoffers

Creating, Editing and Managing Your New Offer:

Google Offer Add

Google Offer Edit

Google Offer Manage

Google Offers is a great way for you to reach potential customers who are currently near your business. Using Google Maps and Places on their mobile devices, people will be able to view your offer, purchase it and redeem it at your business location right away. Local Splash can manage your Google Offers for you, check out our services here.

Search Engine Land Publishes Findings of the Local Consumer Review Survey 2012

Local SEO, Search Engine News, , , , , , ,

local search marketingSearch Engine Land recently conducted a study dealing with local search and posted its findings online. The survey was centered around four questions that were asked to determine which types of local businesses searchers look for online and the importance of reputation for different businesses. The four questions asked to participants were as follows:

  1. Which types of local businesses have you searched for via the Internet (in the last 12 months)?
  2. Which types of local business have you read online reviews for (in the last 12 months)?
  3. For which types of business does reputation matter the most?
  4. Which ‘reputation trait’ is most important to you when selecting a local business?

According to the study, the most searched for type of business was Restaurants/Cafes (57%). Other popular categories were Hotels/B&B/Guest House (35%), General Shops (35%), Clothes Shops (34%) and Dentists/Doctors (27%).

The type of local businesses consumers most read reviews about is Restaurants/Cafes (46%). The second is Doctors/Dentists (21%). The analysis of this states that consumers turn to the Internet for finding and researching local businesses when they need their services. Having positive reviews gives local businesses a chance to stand out from their competitors and get the attention of their potential customers when it matters most.

Reputation matters most to consumers when choosing Restaurants/Cafes (32%), Doctors/Dentists (27%) and Tradesmen (23%). The results of the survey show that reputation does matter and it affects all businesses. Online reviews continue to increase in importance and as that happens, the reputation of certain types of businesses becomes a more important factor in the purchasing decision.

The study found that the most important ‘reputation trait’ is reliability (64%). The second most important trait is good value (44%). Consumers seem to be less concerned with traits like courtesy (7%), friendly service (9%) and ‘localness’ (7%).

To read the study in more detail, visit SearchEngineLand.com.

How to Optimize Videos for Search Engines

Last Updated On June 2nd, 2023Local SEO, , , ,

If your company wants to boost your search engine rankings, try video optimization. There is much more text on the Web than videos. This means if you have an optimized video it is more likely to show up on the first page of Google when potential customers are searching for keywords that pertain to your business. If you create a funny, entertaining or informational video that your potential customers share with friends, your video will become even more relevant and more likely to show up high in the search results. So how do you optimize your video for search engines? Follow these directions.

1. Save your video to your computer with a file name that includes your business name and a keyword (E.g., Dave’s Kung Fu Dojo Newport Beach, CA)

2. Open the Properties of the video by right clicking on the file

3. Select the Summary tab at the top of the Properties box

4. Add business name, categories and keywords to the image – these will be picked up by search engines (if you need visual help with steps 1-4, check out our photo optimization blog.)

5. If you don’t already have one, create a YouTube account and add the video to YouTube

6. Choose “Upload” to begin uploading your video. While it is uploading, you can fill in the information box (See image below)

7. Now share your fully-optimized video on your blog, company Facebook page, Google+ page, Twitter, Pinterest, and any other social media networks you belong to.

VideoOptimization1

Title: Add Main business category, location, business name
Description: Add everything that was in the title, your phone number and the description you use in Google Places listing
Tags: Title, Google categories, city and state