Las Vegas Graphic Design, Printing & Marketing Blog

You have probably come across the map on top of Google search results page. If you have ever used it, you know the convenience of choosing the business by its location. Need a flower shop? Type it in Google along with your ZIP code, and you’ll have a map of the flower shops nearby. Chances are, that’s where you will go, not to the shop that is 20 miles away. Create a business listing, if you don’t have one. This will almost immediately create a positive effect on your online marketing strategy.

To make sure your business appear on the Google map under your product/service category, you must first find out whether or not you already have a listing. Go to Google Maps and type in your business name, city, and a ZIP code.

1. Your Business Appears On Google Map.
If your business listing appears on the map, that’s great. It means Google has already included you into the Local Business Center Directory. If you have not created the listing and not sure where your business information came from, Google may have received it through the phone company, or through one of online directories. Check your listing information as it may be outdated.

To update / modify your listing, click on a marker which represents your business location (red marker with letters A - Z), and then choose Edit. If this listing has not been previously claimed, you will be able to edit the information. As the last step, Google will have to verify that you are a legitimate business owner. The verification is very simple: automated Google service calls the phone number specified in your listing and gives you a PIN code. You will then have to enter that PIN in your listing. So, make sure you are at your business location when you make listing updates or that you have someone there to answer the phone. If the verification cannot be done over the phone, Google will send you a postcard with the PIN, which arrives within 2-3 weeks.

1. Your Business Does Not Appears On Google Map.
If the business is new or if your business does not appear on the map, you must create a new business listing. Go to Google Local Business Center. If you don’t have an account with Google, create one. You will be able to add your listing once you are logged in. After you enter the information, Google will take you through the same verification process to complete the listing.

Once your listing is active, you will be able to track its performance. Google Local Business Center will report the following counts: impressions, clicks for more info, clicks to your site, clicks for driving directions to your business location, and top search queries.

If you need assistance with Listing Your Business on Google Maps, please call Pro-File Marketing at (702) 233-6939.

Those were the days: the business owner publishes their listing in the Yellow Pages and knows it will be seen by prospective customers once they are looking under a specific category. Nowadays more and more people prefer using the Internet to find the product or services they need. Online directories are the websites that list local and national businesses under many different categories, just like the Yellow pages. It makes it very easy for the customer to find the information they need, but very hard for business owners to be exposed to every one of those customers. The reason is that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of different “Yellow Pages”, and everybody looks in a different one.

So, what do you have to do to reach most of your prospective customers through online directories? You must list your business in as many online directories as possible. Good news is that most of those listings are free (unlike listing in Yellow Pages), unless you prefer to have a Featured listing within your business category, in which case the prices will vary depending on the directory popularity.

Here are some of the most popular directories:
YellowPages.com
CitySearch.com
Google Directory
Yahoo! Directory
Kudzu
CitySlick.net
ThinkLocal.com
SuperPages.com

You can also search for additional industry-specific directories by typing in Google “(your business category) directory”. For example, “landscaping directory”, or “doctors directory”.

Make a list of directories. I suggest you do so as it will be easier to keep track of your submissions (they will all look the same after the 5th one). Go to each website and look for “Submit your listing”, “Get Listed”, “Suggest URL”, “Business Owners”, “List Your Business”, “Add Business”, or similar type of link. Usually these links located on the top right corner or on the very bottom of the page. You may or may not have to register with each website. Keep track of usernames and passwords you assign to each website. Provide as much information about your business as possible. Under business description use words that outline your products and services, avoid using ALL CAPS, or excessive use of exclamation marks to keep it professional (one will do it). If you want to copy and paste the description throughout different directories, save it as a text document on your computer in a handy (like Desktop) place. This way you won’t have to write it over and over again. While some online directories do not have maximum character limit, some are very restrictive. Having two (or even three) versions will help you save time: short, longer and full business description.

If you use Google, Yahoo, or Bing search engines, you have seen Sponsored Links on the top and/or on the right side of the page. These links are called Pay Per Click ads. They are one of the major aspects of any online marketing strategy and cost you nothing unless someone actually clicks on it. The price of each click is determined by the amount of competition for the particular keyword you chose.

So, why use Pay Per Click Advertising? It is the most effective way of advertising in terms of reaching your target audience. Your ads will appear once the consumer is looking for your specific product or services.

The great thing about these ads is that even if your website is brand new or doesn’t rank high, you can land a first-page listing with Google paid ads.

You can create your ad campaign with any amount of ads, choose your own relevant keywords, and set your budget for each ad. But before you start spending, use Google Keyword Tool to do a research on relevant keywords, which can make your campaign more effective and save you some cash. Using non relevant keywords is a sure way to waste money.

Google AdWords
Yahoo! APT
Microsoft Advertising

Alternatively, you can hire professional Pay Per Click advertisement services, who will do a careful keyword research, write a compelling ad copy, setup the ad campaign, and keep track of its performance.

If you need professional assistance with setting up your Pay Per Click ad campaign, please contact Pro-File Marketing at 702.233.6939.