How Google Local works and How Auto dealers can Use Google local to promote their business for free!
Lets start out with Google and do a search on Google Local to find it. You will notice that two results show up Google maps and Google Local Business Center. This is because they are both the same.
In Google I have typed in the search term “honda new jersey” notice that they have the same ranking in Google maps and Google local listing.
So What is Google local?
Google Local is a service from Google that lets you search business pertaining to a particular locality and find all the contact information including the exact location. It is more or like the traditional yellow pages, gone completely online.
To use Google Local go to http://local.google.com
When you go to Google Local you can sign up for a New account or if you have a current Google id you can sign in with your current Google ID.
So let’s presume you do have a Google account:
Lets begin with Adding a Listing.
As you can see above there are a lot of fields that you can fill out. The important thing is that Google Local almost works like a Search Engine where each of these fields depicts where your search results show up overall. So you really “NEED TO OPTIMIZE” this listing to show up in the Search Engines.
Next would be to add Basic Information
Tip #1 What you put in for your company/Organization is very important. You want (1) The company name (2) The keywords you are trying to optimize. For example we put “ Izmo Honda- Honda Dealership in New Jersey.
Tip# 2 Always put your exact address and avoid putting a 1-800 number.
Tip#3 Put in a long description and try to add several keywords.
Adding Categories would be the next step
Tip# 1 Always research in Google web search for keywords. What do I mean by that? Well Google Local/Map lsitings only appear in Google’s regular web search for certain keywords. For example, if you type in the keyword “used honda new jersey” No Google/Local Maps appears. I would not waste time optimizing for this page for “used honda new jersey” but would concentrate on organic search positioning.
Tip #2 Google’s Suggest categories usually appear in the listings
Tip #3 If you don’t see a suggested category you can type in your owm category
Tip #4 Choose as many categories as possible (5) is the maximum
Tip #5 If you can’t find a category that does not show up in Google Web Search but fits by all means use it.
Other information you can add:
You have to tell Google what time you work. There are some set time slots which you can select from, or you can give your own custom timmings. Next up on the same page you have to give in your payment options select from all the methods you will accept to recieve payments from clients. You can optionally slect a photo to show up near your listings. It could be a logo or something recognizable. You can also upload videos that will help explain your business listings. If you have a video yoloaded on You Tube you can provide the url and it will be up. Additionally you can also provide any extra information regarding your business in the last column.
Verification Process ( Important)
Once you are satisfied with your settings click submit and Google will ask for a verification preference. This is a step to ensure that ou are actually a genuine business establishment. There are three types:
-By Phone
-By SMS
-By Snail Mail
On either method Google will give you a verification code that you have to use to verify the listing. As soon as you activate the verification pin code it takes a few hours before the listing gets active. Please be sure to double check your information befote it gets active.
Benefits of Google Local Listings:
-Zero Bounce Rate advertising- The listings are very appropriate and targeted
-Free and easy set up
-Works for all businesses regardless of size and shape
-Listings appear above regular search results
- Higher Conversion rates
- You can add unlimited listings
- You can get listed in Google Maps
- You can connect a Google API to your site maps for a great contact form
-Google Recieves more traffic than all competing search engines combined
- Its absolutely Free!
