Local Search Marketing with Google Places

scottharvey

If you want better search engine results (and more clicks, and more business), and you haven't paid attention to "Google Places," you need to do so right away. Why You Need to Claim Your Spot on Google Places * Google has stated that one out of five searches on Google is related to location. That translates to 2.6 billion "local" searches a month, and that number is increasing 50% per year. (Yes, that's "Billion"-with a "B.") * If you're a family law or divorce attorney in Irvine, CA for example, you want to show up when someone does a Google search for "divorce attorney orange county", or some variant of that-which happened over 56,000 times last month. Maybe your niche or location can't boast that kind of volume, but when you get your Places page set up and positioned correctly, it can still have a dramatic effect. * A good Google Places listing can provide a valuable bump in your search engine ranking and in your ability to reach and interact with prospects and customers. You can even post real-time updates to your Places page to promote a sale or seminar or other event, put up a coupon, or communicate anything else. * Google Places has become so important that it has become a marketing niche all on its own, with "local marketing SEO" consultants that do nothing but help businesses use it properly. Now, that you know why you need to be on Google Places - how can you claim your spot so you can experience improved search engine results and more website traffic? Claiming Your Google Places Page If you haven't already claimed your places page, simply go to Google.com/places and work your way through the process, after reading the 7 tips below. If you don't have a Google account, you'll have to create one, but it's easy, and free. For a detailed, step-by-step video guide to the proper set up of your Places page, you can go to: http://www.honestwebsitemarketing.com