Tag Archives: local splash

Local search matters. According to Google, 97% of consumers search for local businesses online. A study by comScore stated that 61% of searchers consider local search results to be more relevant and 58% think they’re more trustworthy. Eyetrack studies prove that users’ eyes go straight to the Maps results in Google when viewing the search results. These are just a few reasons why your business should have a local search campaign. Here are 5 local SEO tips you can start using today to help your business get found:

1. Track your rankings. Use software or reporting tools that allow you to monitor your rankings on different search engines and compare. Check out which cities are working best for you and concentrate on them. Also see what people are typing in to find you and focus on those keywords.

2. Create local-targeted landing pages. This allows you to optimize for searchers in a specific location or those searching with that location name in their query.

3. Claim your business listing on multiple directories including Google Places, Yahoo Local, Yelp, Merchant Circle, Superpages, About Us. Make sure you fill out your business profile completely on each of these sites.

4. Get active on social media. Combining social media with local search efforts with increase the time in which you see success. If you don’t have a company blog, start one! 57% of businesses have acquired a customer through their company blog. Link from your social media networks to your website to drive traffic.

5. Enhance your listings and landing pages with coupons. Give your potential customers an incentive to try out your business rather than your competitors’.

Although Google’s “I’m Feeling Lucky” button is pretty irrelevant to most users (only 1% of users actually use it), the company recently gave it 8 new options for fun.

If you’re never used it and aren’t sure what the button is all about, typing in a search query on Google.com then clicking “I’m Feeling Lucky” instead of “Google Search” takes you to the website in the first position of the results for that query. You don’t go to the search results page at all. If you click the button without typing a search query, you’ll be taken to Google’s collection of Doodles.

If you’re not feeling lucky, now you can try one of these on for size:

• I’m Feeling Artistic takes you to a random Google Art Project
• I’m Feeling Hungry takes you to a search for restaurants
• I’m Feeling Wonderful takes you to a random World Wonders project
• I’m Feeling Stellar takes you to Google Earth
• I’m Feeling Playful takes you to an interactive Google Doodle
• I’m Feeling Doodly takes you to a random Google Doodle
• I’m Feeling Puzzled takes you to a Google-a-Day site
• I’m Feeling Trendy takes you to Hot Searches

To try these out, just go to Google.com, put your cursor over the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button and watch the phrases change. Click them with or without typing in a search query and see where the button leads you.

Have you ever used the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button?

These 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.

Tag Archives: local splash

5 Local Search Tips to Start Using Today

Google Adds More Phrases to “I’m Feeling Lucky” Button

3 Steps You Can Take to Start Your Local-Mobile Campaign Today