Get Found Online in Your Town (Pt. II)

It’s easier to get found online if you localize your business and tailor yourself to those who live in the metro St. Louis area. Continue your local renovation by building out your local search profile. The local search directories at Google, Yahoo!, and Bing want your to list and create an information-rich local profile. This process helps the search engines show people your business when they’re searching for products and services they want. If you haven’t done it, go here now:

• Google Places (data drawn from Google Maps)
• Yahoo! Local Business Center
• Bing Local Listing Center

Another upcoming local search directory is Google Mobile Search. This directory is separate with a great deal of crossover for mobile users who are searching for product/service categories in Google Maps on a smartphone. In each case, you will need to claim your profile through various means. After you submit yourself to each directory, you will be given the chance to enhance your profile with appropriate business category, hours of operation, forms of payment, area served, and brands/services carried.

You should make sure the information is cohesive throughout all of the directories, and you should take advantage of the ability to add images, video, and other product- or service-related elements. These pages are the ones that are displayed to users who are searching for your business on search engines. It’s important to extend your business using these tools, ultimately giving you more traffic and awareness. Lastly, all of these local directories feature paid premium listings using search marketing.