Have you ever heard of using websites like Yelp, CitySearch and Google Places as a local business marketing strategy? These are sites that allow ordinary everyday folks to write reviews and leave comments about local businesses. They offer a wonderful way for you to increase your web presence and advertise your business.
If it sounds like another unnecessary hassle and profile to make, take a minute to consider this – there’s a good chance your business is already listed and people are talking about you. Someone somewhere has put you on the map and there are reviews already written. Wouldn’t you like to be in control of it?
You should seek out all listings of your business and claim them as soon as possible. It only takes a few minutes and there are 4 vital reasons why it needs to be done ASAP.
Reputation Management
Somebody else has created your listing for you and that’s not a good thing. Your listing may have inaccurate information. If you take control of your business listing, you can make sure that your profile accurately reflects your business and says the right things about it.
Search Engine Optimization
Business listings on these sites appear in search engine results. Once you’ve claimed your site, you can rewrite the profile information so that it’s keyword-optimized, and this will get your site found in targeted searches. Local search sites can be used very effectively as part of your Web traffic local business marketing strategy.
Find Out What Folks Are Saying
One of the best reasons to claim your listing is that you get to learn exactly what people think about your service. You’re a fly on the virtual wall. They’re giving you valuable feedback on what you’re doing right and what you’re doing wrong. You can use this information to make changes and improve your customer service.
Talk to Your Customers
If you claim your listing, you can use it to communicate directly with your customers. When you reply to their reviews, it shows you to be a business that listens. You create a friendly, responsive image, and that’s the kind of company people like to give their hard-earned dollars to.
How to Claim Your Listing
Claiming your listing takes just a few minutes. Start with the three mentioned above – Yelp, Google Places, and CitySearch – since they’re the most popular. You can also do a Google search on the name of your business and location. On the listing page, somewhere it will say ‘Claim this listing’ or ‘business owners.’
After you fill out a tiny form with your name, email, and street address, they’ll send you a confirmation email. Once you click that, it’s yours.
Claiming your listing puts you in better touch with your customers and provides a valuable tool in marketing your business online. Start using this local business marketing strategy ASAP and get control over your listings today.
I specialize in helping small business owners drive more traffic, generate more leads and increase sales using proven strategies in lead generation and conversion, Internet marketing and social media. Feel free to contact me contact David Carleton http://LocalBusinessMarketingSuccess.com at 858-442-3131 for a free, no obligation consultation!
David Carleton is a San Diego Local Business Marketing Consultant who specializes in showing small business owners how to spend less and get more from their marketing and advertising using low cost strategies in local business marketing, lead generation and conversion, Internet marketing and social media. To download a copy of the free report, “7 Steps to Website Success”, go to http://LocalBusinessMarketingSuccess.com
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Topic: Local Business Marketing Strategy
