Home
>
Web Site Promotion
>
Building Online Visibility: A Three-Point Plan For Any Business

Building Online Visibility: A Three-Point Plan For Any Business

The latest trend in online marketing focuses on local search. While there are plenty of business site directories that act like online telephone directories, local search is more than a telephone directory or classified ad site. It's a community-oriented, user-friendly approach to finding businesses close to home.

Recent studies have shown that an increasing number of consumers are researching local businesses online before heading out to make purchases. As large search providers like Google and Yahoo! build their local search resources, expect consumers to refine their search habits.

My research indicates that in most local areas, more than 70 per cent of all businesses included in local search listings do not have their own Web sites. To compensate, the search services combine information from telephone directories, classified ads, and news articles. As many as 20 or 30 Web results may be offered for a company, but a consumer may not find an informative, official Web site for an interesting business.

So, here is a three-point plan any business should use to capitalize on local search:

One: Control your visibility with your own Web site

Maximize your visibility through local search services with your own Web site. Choose a service that lets you create an attractive but simple, multi-page site quickly and with little hassle.

Your company Web site should consist of at least three pages:

1) An introduction page tells people the name of your company, what your company does (a brief mention of products and/or services), and who your market is (e.g., "Serving vendors around the world since 1971").

2) An "About Us" page tells people who you are, what you do, how long you have been in business, and what qualifies you and your business to be their choice.

3) A "Contact Us" page tells people how to reach you. Include a link to a mapping service so they can find your address easily. Contact information should include telephone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses. Include names for department heads if appropriate.

Although many business operators believe a Web site should be loaded with graphics, music, and animation, usability studies show that users tend to leave Web sites that don't get to the point or provide information clearly and without hype. Just start with a simple Web site.

Two: Take charge of your local search listings

Did you know that you can create your own listings in the local search services? Yahoo! will give you a free 5-page Web site just for listing your company with their service.

http://listings.local.yahoo.com/

Google's service is more like a classified directory, but you still have direct control over how your listing appears:

https://www.google.com/local/add/login

But don't stop with their Web listings. Take charge of the Yahoo! Mobile and Google Mobile services, too. People are increasingly using their cell phones to search the Internet.

http://wap.oa.yahoo.com/

http://www.google.com/sms/howtouse.html#business

Study how these companies advise their visitors to use the services. For example, if you operate a pizza parlor, make it possible for people to find you by searching for "pizza" and your zip code. It should be as simple as that.

Three: Offer Incentives To Other Businesses With Web Sites

Develop a plan that promotes your Web site to your community by offering incentives to other businesses to refer their visitors to your site. Create an attractive discount coupon image that other businesses can offer to their visitors. Build your own coupon page for companies you routinely refer your customers to.

Your goal is not to exchange coupon links with other local businesses. Your goal is to build referral relationships. If you offer shoe repair services, build referral relationships with local shoe stores. If they don't have Web sites, help them learn how to create those Web sites.

Be willing to link to other local businesses on your pages without requiring a link back. Show your visitors that you are a resource. When your customers come see you, talk to them about your Web site and ask them how you can make it a better resource for them.

Michael Martinez has been actively designing and promoting Web sites since 1997. Michael has assisted small and mid-sized businesses in developing their online marketing strategies since 1999. He is the author of innovative research articles and papers, most recently including "On the Googleness of Being" and "Google: Changes in Ranking Strategies", which have influenced the search engine optimization industry's strategies for years.

http://www.michael-martinez.com/

cheapest limo Akin .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare

In The News:

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says using outdated computers and software leaves them vulnerable to security risks and malware.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how WalkON enhances walking and jogging with sensors and artificial tendons.

Old-fashioned check fraud is back in style, quintupling over the past year. Here are a few low-tech, practical means of protecting yourself.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how 600,000-plus records, including checks and property data, were left exposed online by an information service provider.

That weird text from a friend may actually be from a hacker. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson tells you what signs to look out for.

Scammers can wreak havoc on your life just by having your phone number. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson addresses how to avoid becoming a victim.

PongBot is an artificial intelligence-powered tennis robot and a smart training partner available to play 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how to update your iPhone to add Apple Intelligence, which he says can transform your interactions with your phone.

University scientists have trained a robotic surgical system to do work with the skill of human doctors, possibly transforming the future of surgeries.

As more companies implement artificial intelligence for daily tasks, some industry leaders are working to push back against certain aspects of the technology.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says the Batagaika crater in Siberia expands 35 million cubic feet yearly due to thawing.

While fewer than 30% of farmers reportedly use emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, experts believe AI could help producers and farmers make food quicker and more efficiently.

Amazon becomes a prime target of scammers during the holiday shopping season trying to steal Social Security numbers, bank information and Amazon credentials.

Spammers have found a way to target Spotify playlists and podcasts to push pirated software, cheat codes for games and spam links and malware sites.

Sharing information online like your vacation plans and relationship status can make you a target for scammers; here's what to avoid posting to keep yourself safe.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explores six sneaky holiday season gift card tricks, providing tips on how to outsmart scammers trying to rip you off.

Apple Watch's Translate app gives you your own personal interpreter, allowing you to have live two-way conversations in up to 20 different languages.

With kids facing a seemingly increasing amount of threats from creeps on the internet, here's how you can respectfully ask people not to post photos of your children on social media.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how to regain your Facebook access if you get hacked or locked out.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how to safeguard retirement accounts from cyber threats with a VPN: encryption, anonymity, secure access.

I’m going to Europe soon, and planning my trip was a breeze. Yes, really! AI did a big chunk of the work for me — and it can help you plan your next getaway, too.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says North Korean hackers hide malware in macOS apps, bypassing Mac security checks.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how iPhone’s new Automatic Mic Mode adjusts settings for optimal call quality automatically.

Jeff Hancock, an expert on AI and misinformation, has been accused of fabricating an expert declaration by citing a study that was allegedly made up by AI.

Building Online Visibility: A Three-Point Plan For Any Business

Web Site Promotion