Presentation to the Denver Entrepreneurs Meet Up on October 22nd, 2009 on how to add your business to Google Local and why it is important that your business shows up in Local Search.

1. The Google 10 Pack Liz HamiltonMaia Internet Consulting created for The Denver Entrepreneur Meetup Group October 22nd, 2009

2. Defining Local Search? Local search is any search made with the goal of finding something within a geo-graphic location. This is known as searching with Local Intent. Searching for something (what) in some place (where). Seeking information online with the intention of making a transaction offline – Greg Sterling. Essentially, anything you would normally look in the phone book for, you now search for online.

3. Why is Local Search so Important? It is estimated that 30%-40% of all searches are made with local intent. Online search influenced $471 billion worth of offline sales last year vs. only $136 billion in e-commerce sales (e-Marketer, 2008) Yellow page users are moving to online searches Mobile network providers such as T-Mobile, Verizon etc agree that Local Search results are logical results for mobile devices.

5. Phone number

6. Web Address

8. So where does Local Info come from? From local business centers From business information aggregators

9. Also from …. Your Website Trade Associations Better Business Bureau Local Chamber of Commerce Local Business Directory Local City Guides Local Newspapers Industry Specific Vertical Directories Locally focused powerhouses such as CitySearch

10. Making sure your site is local search friendly Add your address, phone, and zip code to every page of your website, without exception. Have your webmaster use standard hcard & vcard formatting on your site – this is simply standardized code to search engines what the content is about for example: <div class="street-address">P.O. Box 1336</div>

11. Location of office Issues I have a home office and don’t want people to know my address. P.O. Boxes Mail Box Etc Another business address I want to show in another location. I have more than one location

12. Factors that Likely influence 10-pack placement Not in any order Location Reviews Information must be in the Google Local Business Center Links to your site and other web references Google has the ‘insider info’ on this and does not share, but these are some of the placement influences generally known by search optimization companies.

13. Ok, great how do I get listed? 1. Go to http://maps.google.com/

14. Search for your Business 2. Search for your business name, phone, or address – are you listed?

15. Yes, I am listed!  3a. Click on Edit to ‘Claim your listing’

16. No, I am not listed  3b. Click on Put your business on Google Maps

17. When you ARE listed you will be taken to the Add, Edit or Suspend Listing area

18. Complete your Listing

19. Submit & Verify

20. Information to have on Hand Standard information such as business name, address, phone number, email address and web address. A short description of your business – 200 characters max. Categories your business falls under, such as Web Design, Internet Marketing. Hours of operation & types of payments accepted. 10 images 5 videos Coupons Any special information you want to convey such as Parking available? Specialty Products?

21. Your Listing Page

22. Additional Features - Videos Video Create a great short video to promote your business, upload to YouTube and add to your listing. You can convey a lot of information in a 30 second video. Think about create ways to make your video interesting. Add the video to your own site too!

23. Additional Features - Adding a coupon Create your first coupon in the Coupons tab at the Local Business Center login area

24. Enter the Coupon Details

26. Are important to help you come up in the 10 pack

27. Are a fact of life for a business that is online

28. Negative & Positive reviews make the listing more credible

30. In conclusion If you have a phone number your business is probably listed so claim your listing If you are not listed, then create your listing Suspend any duplicate listings and enhance the one that is left. Local search is becoming more relevant in the search engine results Make sure your own site is Local Search Friendly Keep your local listing data clean, contact aggregators that might have the wrong information

31. Resources Slides will be put online at www.MaiaInternetConsulting.com/blog/DenverMeetup CFU Classes – A Crash Course in Local Search 10/31, 11/22 & 12/19 – morning class from 9:00 am - noon Growing Your Business on Google with Pay Per Click 10/31, 11/22 & 12/19 – afternoon class from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Market Online – it’s easy, effective and affordable January 20th, March 3rd, April 7th & May 12th Everything You Wanted to Know About Blogging For Business February 10th, March 17th, April 21st, May 26th Sign up for classes online at https://www.colofreeu-registrar.com/

32. Thank you for your time! Liz Hamilton 303.815.9860 Liz@MaiaInternetConsulting.com www.MaiaInternetConsulting.com