You can use many free sources to get your business listed in the the local business listings on the popular search engines. Here is a an example from Google on their LBS offering:

• Google Local Business Center: http://www.google.com/local/add
• Yahoo Local: http://edit2.ls.sp2.yahoo.com/csubmit
• MSN/Bing: https://ssl.bing.com/listings/ListingCenter.aspx
• Superpages: http://advertising.superpages.com/spportal/freelisting2.do

Google 10-Pack – Once you are listed in these online directories, you have a chance of getting your Google local profile listed in the “Google 10-pack” for your local business searches. These are local listings that Google places directly on the first page of search results. Here is a sample of what a google 10-pack display looks like:

Tips for Better Ranking - The more complete your online listing information is, the better you will be ranked in Google search results. Here are some tips on what to keep in mind while submitting your listing information:

• Complete all business information
• Include your business hours, website, and forms of payment accepted
• Include a photo of your store or your logo
• Include Customer Reviews

The more places your business is listed on the web, the better your chances are of the search engines ranking your site higher in search results. Search engines like consistency in your information and quantity. The more websites that have backlinks to you and the more business directories that you are listed in, the better your chances are that your business will rank higher the next time someone searches for a business like yours in your local area.

Here’s to Your Online Success!

Betty Walker, the Wise Web Lady
http://www.wiseweblady.com/
http://www.ccstechpros.com/
bettywalker@wiseweblady.com

Hi, Betty Walker here with a Wise Web Lady Two Minute Tip where you ask the questions, and we find the answers!

Jennifer from Florida writes:
“My domain for my website is my company name. But someone told me that I should choose a domain name that is based on search terms and not on my company name. Does it really matter?”

Hi, Jennifer – great question!  But, my answer depends on how you’re planning to use your website to help build your business.  Let me explain by using an example..

Let’s say you own a hair salon in Funville, NC and the name of your business is “Jen’s Clip and Snip”.  So you get the domain name  jensclipandsnip.com and get a snazzy 3 page website built for your business that gives basic information about you, your services, and your contact information. 

Now I would say this makes perfect sense if your marketing plan for your website is to be used as a basic information tool for your business.  People can use your website to learn more about your services, find directions to your shop, etc.

But if you plan to use your website to drive traffic to your business and as a way for online searchers to find you, then you might want to think about this from a different perspective.

Let’s say someone is searching for “hair salons Funville NC”.  Unless you’ve done your online homework and setup your website to be “keyword rich”  or set your site up in the business local sections of the search engines (local SEO), this online searcher most likely would not find your website. In this case,  you might consider a domain name more like funvillehairsalon.com.

Now all that being said, you have to weigh several factors to know which is best for you.  It certainly can help you in the search engines if your domain name contains primary keywords that people use to search for your kind of business. But if name and brand recognition are important to you, then using your company name makes perfect sense.

And your domain name is only one way that search engines will send traffic to your site. More important is the content that is on your webpages. Be sure your content is “keyword rich” for these same search terms and that it is relevant to what your visitors would be searching for to find you. And, if your target market is mostly local, be sure to include your business address, city and state on your webpages to help in local SEO searches.

Now, if you’re thinking about purchasing both domains to point to your website, be careful!  Having multiple domains can appear as duplicate content to the search engines and will hurt your search engine placement rather than improve it.  Unless you are familiar with 301 redirects for your website, please be sure to consult a web professional to ensure you have things setup correctly.

If you still have questions, give me a call and I’ll be happy to talk with you in more detail about it.

Here’s to Your Online Success!
Betty Walker, the Wise Web Lady
http://www.wiseweblady.com