The most important web marketing move in 2010 for local businesses is Google Place Pages

you might even qualify to be a favorite!

Here is an example of the window sticker Google sends out.

Google has taken a big bite out of local search with the local map results.

SuperPages.com's Network took the hardest hit, let's see if they can bounce back.

This information, combined with the fact that Google has over 65-70% of all online search volume, means Google Map local listing optimization is now more imperative than ever. These listings can be optimized based on the techniques of the most experienced Local Search Ranking Experts, such as David Mihm. When Google first offered map listings and optimization it was performed with phone verifications. Google has been working tirelessly on improving the manner in which it finds new listings (an area once dominated by Telephone Companies and relationships with national yellow pages publishers.)   Originally, businesses were listed heavily based on Proximity to Centroid or distance from the center of town. Google has improved the process of both claiming listings w/ phone verification and determining which results are ranked higher. They also rotate these listings.

An wonderful example of my previous efforts to optimize a map listing would be the “Criminal Attorney Dallas” search term. I optimized the listing for John Teakell while a partner at Milner Finn near downtown Dallas. I have had many examples of successful results.

Google also offers the best form of website statistic and traffic reporting. This is called analytics. If you have a website that does not have analytics, you desperately need to find a new local search marketing agency. Don’t expect to get this kind of advice from Yellow Pages publishers, the appear to concentrate on proprietary bid management systems which campaigns you never own and local internet yellow pages properties to distribute your ad dollars on. Considering the fragmentation in local search, this is not often the best strategy for local business owners and marketers.

Google completely dominates internet search.

November 2009

Rank	Provider	Searches (000)	Share of Searches
–	All Search	10,002,458	100.0%
1	Google Search	6,546,172	65.4%
2	Yahoo! Search	1,525,964	15.3%
3	MSN/Windows Live/Bing Search	1,073,416	10.7%
4	AOL Search	280,311	2.8%
5	Ask.com Search	177,589	1.8%
6	My Web Search Search	101,586	1.0%
7	Comcast Search	47,746	0.5%
8	NexTag Search	34,314	0.3%
9	BizRate Search	29,044	0.3%
10	Yellow Pages Search	25,260	0.3%

Source: Nielsen MegaView Search

Considering what Google is doing with Geo, Video, Mobile, and more……. I think Google is a Great Bet for your business.

In December, Google rolled out 2 key changes to search:

• Google now personalizes results based on history and location for all searchers
• Google now blends search results with “Real Time” information such as Twitter.com

These are key changes that impact your business. Feel free to email me with your questions on Google Advertising Options for Your Local Small Business. Look forward to working with you in 2010!

Mike Stewart

“The Dallas Google Guru”

www.Twitter.com/DallasSEOguru

Office: 214-267-9553

Email: DallasSEOguru@gmail.com

pssst….. I forgot to tell ya…… Google Place Page listings are FREE!  The Optimization and higher rankings…. unfortunately not so FREE.