Improving Your Local Search Visibility

If you are looking to increase your local search visibility, I have listed a number of free ideas that can be leveraged with only an investment of your time.

1. Create/Verify your Google Maps listing. Make sure that the data is correct and in the description box, make sure you list the brands and services that you offer. While you are updating your Google Maps listing, use a call tracking number so you can see how many calls come in a month from Google Maps; you'll be surprised. Do the same for Yahoo and Bing.

2. Leverage Free Business Directory Sites. There are a handful of free business directory websites and review websites that appear often in search results for business name or business category searches.

There are hundreds of websites that give links but only a few directories that actually appear on Google Page One or Two. Make sure you create/verify your business information. MerchantCircle.com for example, allows businesses to upload photos, videos, press release and even blog posts.

Make sure your dealership has a free listing, not a paid listing, on:

a. www.merchantcircle.com
b. www.insiderpages.com
c. www.judysbook.com
d. www.yelp.com
e. www.superpages.com

3. Create Content Pages For Every Town in Your Primary Market Area (PMA). These pages can contain testimonials from customers living in each town. Each page can talk about the convenience of using your business. With the right SEO architecture, you can ensure that your business shows up for every town search in your area that also include your brand name.

4. Proposal Link/Banner Marketing With Local Businesses. Many business owners have strong ties to other business owners in their communities. Consider creating banner ads that you can run on community websites. These links from local sites help to establish a good neighborhood of local links for your brand. Also ask that all charitable contribution be mentioned on the charity website with a link back to your website. Links from high quality .org and .edu websites are great for SEO.

5. Leverage Social Actions With Press Releases. When your company does local community events, leverage the event with good Internet press releases. These news alerts create the opportunity to add local town names to content that also contains your brand and company name.