When users search for your type of business on review websites such as Yelp or CityPages, you want them to find your company with ease. When a smartphone user takes out his or her phone and searches using a maps application, then your company should appear in relevant search results.
How do you ensure that your small business is represented accurately when users search for local results online? Here are some tips for getting found using local search, maps, and directories:
Popular Review and Listings Sites
Customers increasingly make decisions with a smartphone in their hand. If you have not already, make sure your business is listed on Yelp, CitySearch, Yahoo!Local, DexKnows, YellowPages, and other local business listing and review sites. Ensure that key company information is correct such as address, business hours, accepted payment types, and pricing.
Google Maps and Google+ Local
When it comes to local map-based search, Google is the undisputed king. After all, even Apple used Google maps until recently. Ensure that your page on Google+ Local looks accurate and complete by adding photos, updating the business information, checking the street view orientation, and monitoring for reviews. On Google+ Local, each business is given a rating based on customer reviews. Encourage satisfied customers to share their feedback online in order to increase your rating on this website.
Apple Maps
Apple is challenging Google Maps’ dominance by integrating its own mapping product into iOS6-powered devices. Apple map application will be pulling business data from Yelp, so make sure that your company information is correct on this review site. Yelp allows business owners to login, update their profile information, and publicly or privately respond to negative reviews.
Local search listings are becoming increasingly important in today’s smartphone-reliant culture. The digital marketing experts at Anchor Wave in Tucson can help you maximize your small business’ presence in this growing field. Call us today at (520) 622-3731 to schedule a free consultation.
