How Local Search Engines are used to Search for Local Businesses.

How to use free local search engines to reach new customers
Local search engines employed to search for local businesses are often the same ones used for any other search. Google, Yahoo, Live or Bing all have local search capabilities. If the query is for something a person would normally look for locally the search engine will check to see what area your connection is from and give results accordingly. This is not flawless though. For one reason or another the software involved may decide you are miles away from where you are actually sitting with your computer. If it does not Google right the first time many folks add a zip code or community name to the search query to narrow down the results. Using a zip code is a better choice if the city has any size. "Pizza Dalton" or "transmission repair Dalton" gives listings for the city of Dalton in Ohio, Georgia and Illinois. Changing it to "Dalton GA" narrows it down a bit more. There are four zip codes for Dalton Georgia so using one of those in the query narrows it even more.

Is your local small business search engine visible or invisible?
The first thing you need to understand is that on the web very few people search locally for company names. Local searches are often for a product or service in the area. So do a quick Google, Bing or Yahoo for your city and the product or service you offer then come back here.

How to Improve Search Engine Visibility for your Local Business
Where you in the listings? If you found yourself congratulations. If not, here are a few ideas to help. First, things to do before you rush out and buy a web site. Yes, there are ways to get your business listed without a website. That's the good news and also a well put together listing may get you on the first page. But, businesses with keyword focused web sites will dominate those listings.

First, list your business with Google, Bing and Yahoo for local search. Even if you are already listed go to the local search centers shown below and finish filling out the listing. Here are the URL's:

www.google.com/local/add
https://ssl.bing.com/listings/ListingCenter.aspx
http://listings.local.yahoo.com/

Second, when you fill out the description make sure you include the words people use to search for your product and service. Also include the areas you serve. Ex: "Website services for Calhoun, Dalton, Cartersville, Elijay and North Georgia."

Third, use the extras. Get reviews. Add a coupon. All these things help to add content. Content with keywords that people use in their search queries. These are all a plus when the search engines decide which are the best businesses to list at the top.

Everything so far is something you can do for free. Taking advantage of it can greatly increase name recognition and branding for your local business. It will provide your business a web presence and increase your strength in local search results.

Local Search Listing Service for Small Business

If you do not have time or would rather not do it yourself I can list or optimize your business listings. My fee is $45 and includes:

• Filling out and optimizing listings for your small business on Google, Bing and Yahoo.
  
• Doing keyword research for your business and area and including those words in the listings.
  
• Linking your website to the listings. This will make you more competitive in the search results.

Fill out the short form below or contact me: Karl Fitzner 404-510-5146 localbusiness@fitzfiles.net

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