Google Local Search is now simply: Google Maps

Google local search has now evolved into simply, Google Maps!  With the proliferation of smart phones, and GPS-based search becoming more and more common, Google has integrated Local Search into Google Maps.

Searching from your GPS-enabled mobile-device using Google Maps now returns local businesses within your current area.  This could easily be the beginning of the end for such cob-webbed printed directories such as the phone book.  When is the last time you used a phone book?

The rush is on for online businesses to make sure their businesses are properly mapped so as to be easily found for customers looking for them while in their area.

Google Local Search Turns up the Local Search Engine Optimization Volume!

We at FirstPlaceListings.com, a search engine optimization company based in Delaware, firmly believe in Google’s Local Search. So much so, that we believe Google Local Search will, in a few short years from now, overcome and outperform the existing local directories such as yellowbook, yellowpages.com, superpages, citysearch, or any other local business directory in digital or print form or on the web. Remember searching with InfoSeek? Google Local Search is a major shift in local business search strategies; it’s coming hard, and it’s coming fast.

With Google’s dive into 411 directory information (800-GOOG-411) and their pending jump into the consumer cell-phone market, it’s quite clear that Google Local Search is going to be much more than a small local business directory.

The Increasing Value of Google Local Search Entries

Certainly, Google Local Search results are becoming more valuable; Google has for a while inserted its local results–with obvious prominence–within its traditional natural results. Google Local Search is certainly a facet of SEO, (Search Engine Optimization) that is growing in relevance week-by-week. And, once Google launches its cell-phone service, then Google Local Search may become more important than the traditional organic search results for some businesses. And don’t forget that Google is busy perfecting its voice recognition system in conjunction with its 411 service.

Cell phones, voice recognition, geo-location, and location-sensitive search retrieval–all these factors are now coming together. Google is clearly posturing for the inevitable day when a majority of searches are made by voice command rather than the tapity-tap of a computer keyboard.

And, just as search engine optimizers have struggled to learn the secrets of Google’s organic search results, so to will be the case in the near future as many SEO’ers fight for top position in the Google Local Search results.

And so, we analyzed how the listing order for Google Local results is determined with an eye toward improving our results and the results of our clients. Here’s a hint: it’s not alphabetic.

Location; Location; Location?

Google Local Search entries do appear to be “location sensitive”. Obviously, the entire point of a local search is to deliver local results. And, zip code-based searches appear to be more “strict” than city name searches, which Google has a very technical patent for. Business locations near a city center may appear first in Local entries–but location is not the only factor, and location can easily be outweighed by both keywords and depth of the listing and reviews.

The use of keywords in the business name and title can yield favorable Google Local Search results, as well as the use of keywords in the business description. These present a clear opportunity to optimize through the development of a keyword-focused profile.

Local Results: The Effect of Customer Reviews

Finally, the local business results are certainly impacted by the number of reviews. Business owners with local listings would be wise to invite their happy customers to write reviews in the Google Local section.

Need help with your internet marketing, search engine optimization and Google Local Search entries? If so, Contact Us or call 302-200-0564 today for a free initial & confidential consultation.

Most businesses have realized that organic search marketing, or search engine optimization (SEO) is important if you want to be found by an active audience seeking what you have to offer.  The truth is however, many webmasters still don't know what SEO is about.

Savvy businesses understand the importance of being found in the search engines and are capable of capturing the lion's share of searchers.  Finding a reputable search engine optimization company is vital to the success of an websites flow of eager potential customers.  Choosing a search engine marketing firm which misses the mark can cost a lot of time and money without getting results. Choosing the the organic search marketing company with solid knowledge and expertise will ensure SEO improves your business.

7 Simple Organic Search Marketing Goals for 2010:

1. Create Compelling web pages
   This step is key and necessary.  If you don't have web pages that appeal to your target group then you don't have to bother getting visitors. Optimize pages for specific keywords & key phrases as well as being compelling and engaging to the visitor. Web pages must be designed so that visitors become buyers. A website must create trust and must convince the visitors and web pages must be easy to use.
2. Find the Right Keywords
   Find the keywords that work best for you. Google's Keyword Tool is a great source of data on what searchers are actually searching for.  No one has better information at hand on searches than Google, so utilize this FREE service to determine the best keywords to target in your search engine optimization campaign.
3. Optimize web pages for these keywords
   Once the proper keywords have been defined, optimize the site's pages for these keywords which lead the visitor to conversion into a customer. 
4. Publicize with Articles
   Articles are a great way of spreading the news about websites as well as offering up great one-way links to the site, which is great for search engine optimization.  Create serveral articles for each of the targeted keyword phrases  using the keyword as anchor text for your links.
5. Submit to Directories
   Submitting the site to several website directories will also create important incoming links.  Be sure to choose directories which do not use the "no follow" attribute on their links.
6. Submit to Social Networks.
   Posting and bookmarking links to social and bookmarking sites also provide a boost to a site's online reputation.
7. Submit to Blogs
   Commenting and guest-blogging on reputable and relevant third-party blogs will also provide additional "referral" style relevance and inbound linking for websites.

Organic search marketing can lead to great results if you concentrate on the right goals. Search engine optimization is about improving your business. It's not about getting as much traffic as possible. Focus on targeted keywords that work best for the business.

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