Google Local Business Listings?

Discussion in 'Google' started by Tommy Arnold, Nov 20, 2008.

  1. #1
    How do I get my website to the top of google local business listings?

    Eg: if you search in google for web designers in essex

    Google displays a list of web design companies in essex.

    How do I get my site high in those results?
     
    Tommy Arnold, Nov 20, 2008 IP
  2. lakelandprinting

    lakelandprinting Peon

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    #2
    There's been a few threads posted about this, and nobody seems to know. I'm guessing it starts with downtown and works it's way out. I could be wrong though. It's definitely not alphabetical or based on the number of reviews.
     
    lakelandprinting, Nov 20, 2008 IP
  3. flatroxonline

    flatroxonline Peon

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    #3
    you need to put the words in your listing information
     
    flatroxonline, Nov 20, 2008 IP
  4. dogtraining-guides.com

    dogtraining-guides.com Well-Known Member

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    #4
    I have questioned the same not too long ago.

    I added my own local listing with a bs address. Then I got a few reviews and made it in top 3. Days later, I was gone.

    I can't seem to fing an algorithm for this...
     
    dogtraining-guides.com, Nov 20, 2008 IP
  5. Reseg

    Reseg Peon

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    #5
    There are a few factors with my experience being address as one of the biggest.

    Since it's a geo search result, Google wants to give you results close to you, if you modify the search with "austin", Google will reference what IT considers Austin and uses a point of reference chosen by them as exactly where austin is on the map, not an area, but a center point, then give results based on that point. Reviews, site trust, and other things factor into this as well, but that's one of the big ones.

    Testing it out, I took a guy's company who wasn't anywhere in the 10 pack and got him a P.O. Box downtown and used that as the company address and BAM, he was #2 within a couple days and has been for 6+ months.

    Now a P.O. box has worked well for me in many cases, but Yahoo local doesn't allow it, so what I've done for their listings is use the physical address of the post office the box is at and follow it with the box #. Also, I'm not saying the PO Box is what does it, it's the location and getting a PO Box allowed me to get the company listed in that location. AGAIN, it's not the ONLY factor, but very influencing from my experience.

    Obviously this doesn't help much if you're brick and mortar and need to show up properly on the map for people driving to your store ;)
     
    Reseg, Nov 20, 2008 IP
    Tommy Arnold likes this.
  6. Tommy Arnold

    Tommy Arnold Active Member

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    #6
    Thank you for you're help Reseg +REP!!
     
    Tommy Arnold, Nov 20, 2008 IP
  7. bollinger1985

    bollinger1985 Peon

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    #7
    There are a few things that I have noted to get on the top of Google local business listings:

    1. Include the Keyword instead of the company name.
    2. Choose the best suited category
    3. Add as many additional data about your business as possible
    4. Add videos and photos to the listing.
    5. List in other business listing websites like superpages, infoUSA etc
     
    bollinger1985, Jan 6, 2009 IP
  8. Stagman

    Stagman Peon

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    #8
    Hi Ibizuk,

    have you managed to try any of the suggestions out yet? i too am in a similar position. Interesting idea regarding PO Box, but for me, not such a good idea for my guests trying to find my Hotel!

    Any other work arounds?
     
    Stagman, Jan 17, 2009 IP
  9. Stagman

    Stagman Peon

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    #9
    Hi Ibizuk,

    have you managed to try any of the suggestions out yet? i too am in a similar position. Interesting idea regarding PO Box, but for me, not such a good idea for my guests trying to find my Hotel if using the google map!

    Any other work arounds?
     
    Stagman, Jan 17, 2009 IP
  10. openeye

    openeye Greenhorn

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    #10
    1) Optimise your local business description
    2) Optimise your site
    2) Offsite SEO/Location verification

    Like any form of SEO its not a simple answer. Its quite complicated PM me if you need more.
     
    openeye, Sep 14, 2009 IP
  11. BlackhatGuide.net

    BlackhatGuide.net Peon

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    #11
    The local business listing on google is a trick you can also use to get ranked on top of the search terms within your area like "houston glass repairs". There's a blackhat technique where you can use this with a fake address to simply get traffic to your website via some search terms.
     
    BlackhatGuide.net, Sep 14, 2009 IP
  12. sghataliya

    sghataliya Peon

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    #12
    Try Building quality local links with specific geographic location.
    Try to get listed in local niche directories will benefited lot.
     
    sghataliya, Sep 14, 2009 IP
  13. newlogo

    newlogo Peon

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    #13
    include your city name and keyword in listing
     
    newlogo, Sep 14, 2009 IP
  14. sweta

    sweta Peon

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    #14
    These thing will really work
     
    sweta, Sep 14, 2009 IP
  15. Reseg

    Reseg Peon

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    #15
    This is one of the worst forums to be bumping old threads on techniques. Please start a new thread. A year ago my advice was spot on and I did this with dozens of clients proven over and over... however now Google is getting away from that as a major focus. But now that you guys bumped the thread people are reading year old advice in an area that's changing every few months by a good amount.
     
    Reseg, Sep 15, 2009 IP
  16. seojram

    seojram Peon

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    #16
    i was also looking for that i have bookmarked it

    Thnks guys for sharing this, dp is the best forums really with lots of good members
     
    seojram, Sep 15, 2009 IP
  17. openeye

    openeye Greenhorn

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    #17
    This will only work for very uncompetitive phrases.

    Part of the process Google goes through is validating your true location. Google will look to valifdate your business address on things like freeindex, yell.com, trip advisor etc etc. If it see's your Google business listing address doesnt match what appears to be your real business address you will be penalised.
     
    openeye, Sep 19, 2009 IP