Merchant Marketing

GS4 Discount link uncovered! Get a Galaxy S4 at a discount price

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Samsung Galaxy S4 Discount link

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Top 10 Google Plus Local Optimization Factors

Scott Merchant — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:55:47 +0000

Google Plus Local or Google Places as it was called can be an easy way to get some Google Love in the form of search traffic. In a nutshell you get found by people searching local businesses. The following article outlines some of the most important criteria to increasing the viability of your Google Plus Local listing. When Google displays search results for a seach, let’s use: mexican food, san jose for example you would see pins on a map indicating where the local Mexican food restaurants are. The listings are displayed in list form as well in a sort of bullet list corresponding to the points on the map. The top spot is position A then B and so on.

Obviously getting to the A spot would net you the best traffic. The Top 10 Google Plus Local Optimization Factors list what some experts agree are important to Google when determining what position on the map the Mexican restaurant is placed.

Originally published http://www.ombrella.net/top-ten-google-places-ranking-factors/

Google Places has been around since September 2009. Back then, it was more of a Google Maps technology than anything else. However, several months later, Google Places began to appear in localized search rankings. Now Google Places appears at the top of a local Google Search.

Google Places is now Google Plus Local

Google Places is one of the more complex search technologies out there. Initially during claim and setup, it looks easy, just like setting up a personal Facebook profile. However, doing so without knowledge of the ranking factors and optimization practices that need to be leveraged to make it effective, the technology is essentially rendered useless. If you don’t know how to make Google Places rank well for the keywords that matter, you might be losing what could be one of the most effective forms of local demand generation and throwing your chances out the window.

When a Google Places profile is properly setup and optimized, it doesn’t just affect your local search rankings, it enhances your marketing efforts across several technologies. At Ombrella, we call this concept web presence optimization, whereas an optimized Google Places (for example) can lead to top results across Google Search, Google Local Search, Google Maps, Google Places Search, Google Earth, not to mention the many technologies that access the Google Places API like Apple Maps, Apple’s Siri, Evi and more. By doing so, your facilitating discovery of your local business(es) through personal devices – everything from computers, tablets, cell phones, e-readers, TVs, in-car systems and more.

Thus, in order to give everyone an idea of the top ranking factors for Google Places and essentially local search engine optimization, we’ve created a top ten list. What’s worth noting about Google Places, is that the algorithm “advances” yearly and the platform/technology itself is growing, becoming more and more robust every couple of months.

The most recommended Google Places Optimization and Ranking Factors to focus on:

1. The physical address in city of search (Places profile)
2. Manually owner-verified, DO NOT bulk verify (Places profile)
3. Proper categories – many people get this wrong (Places profile)
4. The volume of traditionally structured citations (Off-page)
5. Crawlable website address matching Places profile address (Website)
6. PageRank (Website)
7. Quality of inbound links to your website (Website)
8. Crawlable address & phone number matching Places profile (Website)
9. Local area code, phone number & address – NO TOLL FREE (Places Page)
10. City and State matching Places with Landing Page Meta Title (Website)

By following the top ten recommended factors, your sure to enhance your Google Places and local search engine rankings.

The list above does cover the basics but let’s be honest, this is no roadmap of how to get to the top.

If you want to be on top, here is what you need to know:

Now if you want to spy on Google and learn how many citations (#4 above)

7 Requirements of a Google Plus Local Listing

Scott Merchant — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:54:52 +0000

One very important tool that your business should have in its Internet marketing arsenal is a Google Plus Local listing. Not only is Google Plus Local free and easy to use, but it is also one of the most prominent and powerful entities on the web when it comes to business advertising. As a matter of fact, it is safe to say that Google Plus Local has completely taken over the yellow pages market, making that bulky book a thing of yesterday. Your business should be taking advantage of all Google Plus Local has to offer, and that begins with a complete listing. Want to know how to get the most out of your Google Plus Local page? Here are seven requirements of a Google Plus Local listing:
A Google account. Before you can set up a Google Plus Local listing, you must first have a valid Google account.
Your business name. It is required that you list your business name exactly as it is on your business license – no exceptions. This means that you cannot place keywords into your business name, no matter how tempting it is.
Business address. Your business address must be listed exactly as it appears on your business license (or, how you would list it on any business correspondence).
Business telephone number. You must list a valid, verifiable business phone number. Be sure to include the area code.
Proof. Before Google will publish your Plus Local page to the web, you must provide proof of the accuracy of your business information. This may be in the form of a business card, an advertisement, or a verifiable phone number.
Compliance. Google sets some stringent guidelines when it comes to content, and you must comply with these guidelines, or else risk being blacklisted by Google altogether. Google Plus Local content guidelines address everything from copyrighting laws to pornography, and can be accessed through Google Plus Local support (on the website).
Completeness. Although it is not exactly necessary that you complete each and every space on your Google Plus Local listing in order to publish the page, it is absolutely necessary that you fill in all the blanks (even the optional ones) if you want to score a 100 percent. A perfect score is necessary to earning a high Google search engine ranking, so make sure your listing information is complete.
Take advantage of everything Google Plus Local has to offer by enlisting the help of competent professionals like us, Web Marketing Masters. We can be reached by phone, at 000-000-0000, or via email: WebMarketingMasters@email.com.

How to Set Up a Coupon in Google Plus Local

Scott Merchant — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:53:55 +0000

Google Plus Local can be a powerful marketing tool for your business. If you haven’t yet set up your free Google Plus Local listing, then you should make that your next Internet marketing priority. Once you have your Google Plus Local page set up, you will then need to learn how to use it to its fullest potential, so that you can start seeing results as quickly as possible. One great way to increase your bottom line on Google Plus Local is by offering your page visitors a coupon (and this is not in reference to those paper things you get out of the Sunday paper). So, how do you give your customers coupons in virtual reality? Here is a guide to setting up a coupon in Google Plus Local:
Google Offers. Google makes it super easy to set up a coupon through your Google Plus Local page. Simply access Google Offers and Deals through the Offers tab, in the upper left-hand corner of your computer screen, indicate that you would like to set up a new offer, and then proceed to create your coupon.
Coupon information. From the Google Offers screen, you will be prompted to fill out pertinent information for your coupon offer. You will need to start with a headline of up to 25 characters. This headline should be catchy, should speak to your target demographic, and should contain strong keywords. You have the option of creating a sub-heading of up to 35 characters, and you should take advantage of this chance to embellish on the meaning of your headline. In the details section, you can insert up to 250 characters to describe the details of your offer. Be specific here, being sure to list essential defining information for the deal (cost, restrictions, etc.). Once adding your text, you will have to indicate a “good until” date. You can only run one Google Offer coupon at a time, so be choosy. You do have the option of inserting an image and a coupon code. For optimum results, and convenient tracking, take advantage of both of these opportunities.
Publish your offer. You will be able to see your coupon every step along the way as you input the coupon information, on the preview screen to the right. Once you are content that you have created the coupon you want, simply hit the publish button to make it go live within 24 hours.
Editing your coupon. If you want to edit your coupon, or set preferences for either mobile or print coupons, simply access the deal via the Google Offers button.
Take advantage of everything Google Plus Local has to offer by enlisting the help of competent professionals like us, Web Marketing Masters. We can be reached by phone, at 000-000-0000, or via email: WebMarketingMasters@email.com.

How to Leave a Review Using New Google + Pages

Scott Merchant — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:51:10 +0000

Google’s recent announcement of the absorption of Google Places into Google + Local sent a flurry of panic throughout the Internet business community. After all, Google Places was known for being a very powerful tool for businesses concerned with reaching the web crowd. Fortunately, adapting to the new Google + format is relatively simple, and customers can still leave reviews quickly and painlessly. Here is a brief rundown of how to leave a review using new Google + Pages:
Create a Google + account. If you haven’t already done this, then it is time to create your Google + profile. That is because reviewers can no longer post anonymously. This is very advantageous to businesses, as it deters spammers and malicious reviewers. Head over to the Google + page for easy, step-by-step account set up. You must sign into your account in order to leave a review.
Visit a business’ Google + page. From there, you will be able to find a “Write a Review” button, located in the upper right hand corner of the screen, which you can click to get started on your review.
Choose your user ratings. Now, instead of leaving stars when you review a business, you will have to grade the business on a scale of 0 to 3, for a variety of factors related to the business (food, customer service, and atmosphere when reviewing restaurants, for example). This rating system, based on the Zagat scale, is more comprehensive and reveals more granular rating nuances.
Write a review. Underneath the user rating section, there will be a text box in which you can write and edit your review. Google recommends being as specific as possible about your experience with the business in question. Include helpful advice for customers who may be using your review to assess the business.
Publish your review. Once you are satisfied that you have rated the business appropriately, and have looked over the written portion of your review to make sure you have conveyed what you want to about the business, it is time to publish it to Google +. This part is simple: just click the “Publish” button at the bottom of the page. Your review will then appear on the business’ Google + Local page, beside your Google + screen name and photo.
Take advantage of everything Google Plus has to offer your business by enlisting the help of competent professionals like us, Web Marketing Masters. We can be reached by phone, at 000-000-0000, or via email: WebMarketingMasters@email.com.

What Local Businesses Should Know about the New Google Plus Local

Scott Merchant — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:49:56 +0000

It is now common knowledge that a Google Places listing is tantamount to the successful development of a strong web presence. What you may not know is that Google recently completely changed the face of Google Places. As a matter of fact, it is no longer Google Places. It is now Google Plus Local – a drastic overhaul of the previous Google Places platform. While it is only natural for businesses to stress over sudden changes that force a very swift response (and an even faster learning curve), the good news is that Google Plus Local has the power to completely revolutionize the way you are used to interacting with customers via Google Places. You might be surprised to find that the more you learn about Google Plus Local, the more excited you are to use it, and this is your perfect starting point for learning more. Here is a guide to what local businesses should know about the new Google Plus Local:
Social Networking. Google Plus Local is a major upgrade from the previous yellow-pages concept of Google Places. In order to claim your Google Plus Local page, you must first create a Google Plus account. This means you are automatically linked in to the entire Google Plus social network – a vast community of businesses, customers, and potential customers that you can interact with in a variety of ways, from posts to private messages.
The new review format. One of the primary focuses of Google Plus Local is customer reviews; however, Google Plus Local reviews are more advanced than what you might be used to. Fortunately for you, they also come with some great advantages. Customers who leave reviews on your page must be logged in to their Google Plus accounts; this means there are no more anonymous reviews, which in turn means you are less likely to receive malicious or spam reviews. You can also communicate with reviewers directly.
User ratings. Additionally, reviewers will have the opportunity to rate your business more thoroughly and accurately, using the new Zagat scale (as opposed to the previous 5-star scale). The Zagat scale asks that customers rate your business from 0 to 3, in a number of categories related to your business, in order to calculate an overall rating of 0 to 30. This system is much more telling for potential customers, and much more revealing for businesses looking to improve.
What happens to your Google Places listing? Google makes the process of switching over to Google Plus fast and simple, by allowing you to transfer your Google Places listing information over to your Google Plus Local account.
Take advantage of everything Google Plus has to offer your business by enlisting the help of competent professionals like us, Web Marketing Masters. We can be reached by phone, at 000-000-0000, or via email: WebMarketingMasters@email.com.