Frequently asked questions about how to get your business on Google Local Business Results on Google Page One What is Google "Local Search"?Google local search allows people to easily find WHAT they want, WHERE they want it. A classic example would be "Hotels Berlin", or "Galway Restaurants". This is great news for consumers, and we are all consumers. It makes it very simple to locate restaurants, accommodation, shops etc. in the area we are interested in. It is also great news for businesses seeking to source services, and even better news for businesses looking to get found. For example, if I’m looking for a Printer in Dublin, then I search Google for “Printers Dublin”. If I need an Accountant in Athlone, I search for “Accountants Athlone”. Google local search has been available in most countries for the past couple of years – It has only been available in Ireland since April 2009. NEWS FLASH - Since April 6th 2009, it is no longer necessary to include a "Where".... Back to list of Frequently asked questions What does Google "Local Business Results" mean?"Local business results" contain either 10 or 3 local businesses that match the search criteria. The screenshot below shows local business results for "Bed and Breakfast Cardiff".  How does Google "Local Search" work?Google has figured out how to distinguish WHAT’s, from WHERE’s. For example, It knows that Dublin, Santa Monica, and Adelaide are place names. When someone searches Google for a WHAT and a WHERE, like “Printers Dublin”, Google page one includes a local business results map for the named location. Since April 6th, for some business types, it is not necessary to include a place name – Google guesses your location and presents 10 local businesses in the results. If a searcher does not find the business they want, they can click on more results – this will take them into Google Maps where they can find more businesses providing the service they need. If they like they can zoom into a specific area, perhaps where they live, to specifically look for service providers in their area.Back to list of Frequently asked questions Where does Google pull "Local Business Results" from?Google selects local business results from Google Maps business listings. Google puts the local business results in a separate database to Google Maps, from where it populates the Local Business Results section of Google Page One. What are the benefits of being found in a "Local Search"?Your business being found for a local search means someone actively
searching Google for your service in your area will see your business
name. They may click through to your
website, and you then have an excellent chance of acquiring a new
customer. If you don’t appear when
people search for your service in your area, you have no chance of winning the sale. How do businesses get listed in Google "Local Search Results"?There are three ways that businesses get listed in Google "Local Search Results" 1. Google may automatically list your business 2. You may list yourself 3. You may engage a professional services firm like MapMyBusiness to list your business Google automatically lists businesses by pulling information from other directories, such as Tripadvisor, Frommers etc. Many businesses are unaware that they are listed on Google Maps, and may already be appearing in Local Search Results. While this sounds great, the details in the listing are often incomplete, or worse still incorrect. If there is one thing worse than not having your business listed, it is being listed incorrectly. For example, as of July 2009, many hotels in Ireland appear multiple times on Google Maps, in multiple different locations. This is extremely confusing for visitors, and frustrating for the hotels. If your business is already listed – you may CLAIM your business, for details see How to list Your Business on Google Maps. If your business is not already
listed – you may list your business yourself. For details see How to list Your Business on Google Maps How and when can a business appear in "Local Search Results"?There are a number of situations in which a business can appear in local search results.
We will use a case study to describe how each of these arise, and the benefits to the business of being in the local search results. Bill is a UK based business man with a number of business interests in Dublin. Bill needs commercial insurance for his Dublin premises and he is unhappy with his current provider. Bill searches Google for “Commercial Insurance Dublin”  Google page one results include a local business results map. The
first business listed in the map is “Rooney Insurances”, based in Clontarf. This would suit Bill perfectly since he
travels to Dublin by boat with his car each
month, and Clontarf is on his route.
Bill clicks on the business name and this opens Rooney Insurances
website. Bill likes what he sees, and
phones to explain his requirements. Bill
arranges to meet Paul Reid the business owner to discuss
Bill’s needs. The second way your business may appear, is
within Google Maps. Remember – Google Maps is an excellent local directory – people may have forgotten your business name, it is critical that they can find you by service. When Bill arrived in Dublin, there was a traffic diversion preventing him from taking his planned route. Bill followed the diversion route and pulled in at the first opportunity. He then used his mobile device to get alternative directions. Bill used the built in maps facilty on his blackberry to get directions from where he was parked, to Rooney Insurances. This third method - On mobile devices is growing rapidly, both in usage and importance.Mobile devices like Iphones now have maps functionality built into them as standard. Business owners, especially owners of cafes, coffee shops restaurants etc. need to list themselves on Google Maps to be visible on mobile devices. I have stood outside many restaurants in Dublin, searched my blackberry for local restaurants, and the restaurant I was standing outside did not appear in the results. For the business owner, it is an opportunity wasted if your restaurant does not appear in the results. Back to list of Frequently asked questions What are the benefits of being on Google Maps?A "simple" Google Maps listing will enable people to easily find your business by searching Google Maps for the name of your business. These people are typically your existing customers, since they already know the name of your business. An "optimised" Google Maps listing, from a reputable company will provide you with the additional benefits:
Does Google always include "Local Business Results" on page one?No. Google includes "Local Business Results" when there are sufficient businesses in the requested area providing the requested service. Hence you may expect to see local business results when you search for "Bed and Breakfast Calgary", but not when you search for "Brain Surgeon Calgary". Back to list of Frequently asked questions Where will my business appear in Google Results?If you engage MapMyBusiness to optimize your listing, your business will appear on Google PAGE ONE, in the Local Business Results section, as shown in the screenshot below for Austins Guest House - otherwise there is no fee payable. No - we do not use Google Adwords, and you don't have to "Pay Per Click". What is the difference between the MapMyBusiness service and Google Adwords?1. With Google Adwords, you must select your own keywords. 3. With Google Adwords, you pay each time a person clicks on your Ad.
With the MapMyBusiness service, you pay a modest fee for your optimized listing, but there is no payment when people click on your listing. Back to list of Frequently asked questions Do I need a website to use the MapMyBusiness Service?No – It is not necessary to have a website. We can provide you with a simple webpage describing your services, at no extra cost. A Google Maps business listing is an excellent first introduction to the Internet for many business types that have not yet used the net for marketing purposes (e.g. Trades people). However, businesses that do have websites will benefit most – Your website is your shop window, and the remember, the
main purpose of the listing is to drive prospective customers to your website. How long will it take to get my business in Google Local Business Results? While it can take up to one month, we typically get your business into the Google Local Business Results within one week. How do I add my business to Google Maps?Google have posted a video on Youtube that explains how to add your business to Google Maps yourself, at no cost. What are the biggest mistakes people make when listing their business on Google Maps?1. People fail to state the obvious – They often describe what a wonderful service they provide, and emphasise the value they give, but they omit to mention the actual service they provide. To avoid this – State the obvious – If you are a firm of solicitors, make sure that your description says that you are a firm of solicitors. 2. Use of forbidden terms – Google objects to certain terms. Unfortunately Google does not publish the list. If you use a forbidden term, your listing will be set to “Flagged, waiting for content check”. It can stay inactive in this state indefinitely. To prevent this happening: Avoid using abbreviations, avoid using persons names and do not include the word Google. Back to list of Frequently asked questions Can MapMyBusiness help my Bed and Breakfast Marketing?Absolutely. When people search Google for a Bed and Breakfast, they always specify where they want to visit. We will put your Bed and Breakfast in the Local Business Results on Google Page One for searches like “Bed and Breakfast Cardiff”. Click on Austins Guest House, to learn how this bed and breakfast in Cardiff, UK is benefiting from our service. How long will my business remain in the Google Local Business Results? It is impossible to say how long your business will remain in the Local Business Results, since Google is constantly updating its Search Algorithms, and businesses are constantly improving their website content.
We are constantly improving our processes to keep you, our clients on Google Page one. It is in our interest to keep your business on Google Page One, since your 6 monthly maintenance fee is payable at the END of each 6 months, and is only payable if we keep you in Google Local Business Results on Google page one. |
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Frequently asked questions about how to get my business on Google Local Business Results on Google Page One |