Google Local

What is Google Local

Google local is a service from Google that let's you search businesses pertaining to a particular locality and find all the contact information about it including the exact location. It's more or less like the traditional yellow pages, gone completely online.

To use Google local, go to http://local.google.com.

How to use Google Local?

When you visit Google Local, you'll be taken to this homepage where you'll see a search bar and a map. To the right of the search bar, click on the second tab that says "Show Search Options" and you'll get a search bar that's parted into two as shown in the picture below:

The first part of the search bar is called "What" and this is where you should type in the product you want to search. Ex:- Web Developer, Pizza, Best Buy, etc…

The second part of the search bar is called "Where" and this is where you should type in the location of where you are looking for product for.

Let's take an example now, say you want to search for "Web Development in Minneapolis". Then you enter the following words in the respective search bars.

When you click search, two things happen.

• The left panel gets accumulated with the relevant search results matching your query.
• The map on the right automatically takes you to the corresponding geographic location and shows the businesses listed on the left by alphabets.

See how markers A, B, and D corresponds to the listing on the left. When you click on the "more info" link next to the listing title on the left, a popup appears on the map with all the details on that listing including, business details, contact information, photos and videos and even road map to reach there.

So that's basically how Google local works and looks like.

Now many a times, when your listing is proper with all the details (we'll discuss on that how later), the local listing will also show up on Google's normal results once there's an appropriate query.

For example, if you Google for "Web Development Minneapolis", you'll get search results similar to the one below on screenshot.

See how Google lists different local business listings on the map as well. Clicking on one of those links will take you directly to the websites. Google will also list the telephone contact number right next to the website URL, so you can call them up if needed.

How to set up Google local ads for free?

Setting up Google local ads are easy, if you know the right way to do it. Let's see how.

• First go to https://www.google.com/local/add/. If you can't remember that type in "Google Local" into google and it will be the second listing down.
• On the right hand side, you'll see some text links, in which there'd be one that says "Create a New Google Account" - Click on it.  On the next page, you just fill in the information and 30 seconds later you are done.

Managing Google Alerts

Now that you have signed up for Google Alerts you can add FREE listings. You will want to click on the "Add new Listings" tab once you have logged into your account.

Basic Information

On the next page, you'd get a form that asks for all the details on your business. It would ask for your business name, local address, pin, area, country etc and also your telephone number. Give your genuine local/mobile number and give the exact post box number.

• Tip #1: What you put in for you Company/Organization is very important. You want (1) your company name (2) the keywords you are trying to optimize for. For example we put "WebBizIdeas Web Design & Marketing."
• Tip #2: Always put your exact address
• Tip #4: Put in a long description and try to add several keywords.

Categories

Next, after checking your business information, some more important information has to be provided. Your business categories are the most important part of setting up your Google Local Account. If you don't choose the correct categories you won't have a chance to show up in Google's normal web search.

You have to decide which category your business should get listed at. Google has a long list of suggested categories for you to choose from. For example, when you start typing in ‘internet' you have the option to choose Internet Cafe, Internet Marketing Service, Internet Service Provider, and other options. You should be very careful in selecting your category as this is very critical in deciding the visibility of your business listing. If you pick the wrong category, then the whole listing goes to waste.

• Tip #1: Always check categories in Google web search. What do I mean by that? Well, Google Local/Map listings only appear in Google's regular web search for certain keywords. For example, if you type in "Web Programmer Minneapolis" into Google NO Google Local/Maps appears. I wouldn't want to waste optimizing this page for ‘Web Programmer' since I will not receive much traffic. So check your categories + city in Google's Web Search to make sure Google Local/Maps appears.
• Tip #2: Google's suggest categories usually appear in the listings
• Tip #3: If you don't see a suggested category you can type in your own category
• Tip #4: Choose as many categories as possible (5)
• Tip #5: If you find a category that does not show up in Google Web Search but it fits your business perfectly…use it.

Other Information:

• Next up, you've got to tell Google what time you work. There are some set time slots which you can select from, or you can give your own custom timings.
• Next up (on the same page), you got to give in your payment options, and select all the methods you'll accept to receive payment from clients.
• Next, you can optionally select a photo to show up near your listings. It could be a logo or something recognizable.
• You can also upload videos that will help explain your business to the listing. If you have the video uploaded on YouTube, just give in the URL and it's up.
• Additionally, you can also provide any extra information regarding your business in the last column.

Verification Process: (IMPORTANT)

Next you click submit and Google will ask for a verification preference. This is a step to ensure that you are actually a genuine business establishment. There are three types of verification.

• By phone
• By SMS
• By Snail mail

On either method, Google will give you a verification code that you have to use to verify the listing. As soon as you listing are active it will take a few hours before it gets active. Be sure to double check your information before you submit it.

If you enter in a phone number and request Google Local to call make sure you are around. I entered in the wrong verification key once and went through a great deal of trouble trying to activate any new campaigns from that time on. So I would suggest doing this step with care.

What are the benefits of using Google Local?

• Zero bounce rate advertising - as the listings are very appropriate and targeted.
• Free and easy to set up.
• Works for all businesses regardless of size and shape.
• Listings appear above regular search results
• Higher conversation rates
• Add unlimited listings
• Get listed in Google Maps
• Connect a Google API to your site (maps) for a great contact form
• Google Receives more traffic than all competing search engines combined
• Did I mention that is absolutely FREE

Summary of important tips on optimizing your campaigns on Google local.

• Use the categories wisely, as they determine where and when your listings are shown.
• Certain Post Box numbers have higher preference to show up on the SERPs based on their proximity with the place in query, so if you want to rank for a particular place, you might want o buy or use PB numbers closer to that region.
• While setting up the ad, use the description and title wisely. It may be a good idea to use your targeted keyword and company name in the title.

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