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I regularly speak to many business owners who want to be more visible for local searches. As many people now use the net to search locally rather than pick up the Yellow Pages, this is increasingly important.
Here are a few ways to ensure you get found for those local searches:
1. Google Maps
You can get a free Google Maps listing for your business (and if you work from home, you no longer have to show your address). Often these maps listings appear above the main search results, which means people are more likely to click here before the main results, so well worth ensuring your business is listed.
2. Local Directories
People still use local business directories, so make sure you list your business. In the Hampshire area, there are sites such as iHampshire, South Online as well as regional sites such as Touch Local, City Local and The Best of.
3. Yell.com
If you have a free business listing in the yellow pages, you should also have a free listing on Yell.com, so make sure you’re listed there too.
4. Google Adwords
If you’re running an Adwords campaign and you want local enquiries, you can set your ads to show within a certain geographic area. You wont get as many visitors as a national campaign, but those who do enquire should be more local. However, as ads are targeted by the IP address of a computer, it may not be terribly accurate.
5. Social Networks
Social networking can work well for local businesses, but make sure your location and the areas you serve is mentioned in your profile to ensure you get enquiries from customers in your area.
There’s lots you can do to raise your profile locally online, and trying a combination of the above should help towards achieving this!
