When you are traveling you are at a disadvantage because you do not know where all of the good local stores and services are. And now that you have the internet available on your cell phone, all you need to do is type in a couple of words, and you have got your list.
So let's say you were looking for a decent steak. You would go to Google and enter the city and the type of restaurant, say something like “Melbourne” “steakhouse”. Now if you are a local steakhouse you really only care about one thing - Did you show up in the search list!
Google is hands down the most popular site that people use when searching the internet worldwide, but did you know that Google also has a regional and local feature. So if you have a business that only wants to market locally, like a restaurant, then Google has the perfect search engine marketing tool for you. It is called Google Local Business Center. At the top of the Google search list, ten line items show up next to a map of the area. This is prime real estate for local businesses.
So while this ad may work kind of like an ad in the phone book, unlike the phone book, it is free. This is a really low maintenance way to advertise, and it does not involve constant management; though you do want to review it from time to time.
Unlike the phone book, you can change your ad as often as you like. So you have the flexibility of being able to change your ad, but you are not required to update it at all if you do not want to. Even small businesses manage to reach the top of this list, which levels the playing field with large corporate competition. By following a few easy steps, your site can show up in the local listings also.
First sign up for a Google account like Gmail. It is free, and it is the foundation of everything that is to follow. Go to Google and enter the phrase “Local business Center” and update your company information. Then wait and Google will verify your business.
Next follow the very specific instructions that Google sends you. The steps are clear and easy to follow.
Put togehter a web page design for your company either by yourself or employ the services of a good web designer. You do not need anything fancy, and it is not required by Google, but not having one will lower your search engine ranking in the list of local businesses.
(Note: Good page design is also an important consideration when it comes to the techniques employed to create a successful newsletter design or mailing list announcements.)
Now when a customer is looking for whatever you sell, they will find you in their local Google search. This ad is working for you 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and best of all it costs nothing. You really cannot afford to let this great online advertising opportunity slip by, because if you do not take advantage of it, rest assured that you competition will. Also remember to think about pay per click search engine considerations.
For more help with your website design, organic SEO and online advertising, there are many companies that can create a strategy for you. Search "website design Sydney" or "website design Melbourne" adn see what comes up. You might also consider email marketing to strenghten your online image.