Google My Business
Google has centralized Google Search + Google Places for Business, and Google+ (Google’s social network) into one easier-to-manage tool, now called Google My Business. Use Google My Business to put the right info about your business on Search, Maps and Google+ so that customers can get in touch.
- Take ownership of your Google My Business listing. Add categories, summary, business hours, pictures, time-sensitive posts, videos and more.
Get more Google My Business tips in my blog article here.
Search Engine Listings
The adoption of mobile devices worldwide is driving a new economy. It is important that your brand is consistent from your website to social media to search sites (Google, Yahoo, Bing, and hundreds more).
The first step I recommend is to review your image on the net either using a standard Google search (search your firm name) or use search tool designed for this purpose (select image on left for free scan).
Knowing what I know – chances are you will NOT be impressed with the search results. Your listings may have different firm names, no phone number nor links to your website, or just very incomplete. Many of these listings were auto-created by some unknown source lacking info about your business. There is ABSOLUTELY no reason for poor web listings for your firm today – the only benefit is to your competitor!
Your Yahoo! Local and Bing Places for Business listings should also be checked thoroughly. Verify your firm name, address, phone, and web address.
Yelp. Yelp is a powerful mobile site to find local business. What is most important, is that Yelp customer reviews get forwarded to Yahoo! and Bing. Chances are you need to take control of your Yelp listing and update it. Then invite your best clients to add a review at Yelp.
If you find an incorrect or incomplete listing, you can attempt to update each search listing manually but that task is daunting even for a webmaster. Try just one and you will understand. Consider using search listing sites like MOZ Local or Yext to update multiple listings at once (these are paid services). Even better – seek a professional to get it right!
Getting your internet business listing basics (name, address, phone, and website) completed correctly is important. Having someone find your firm on the net is great – but you can really stand out with several customer reviews touting your firm. If you ever purchased goods from Amazon or other online retailers – you probably took a look at the product reviews first. Reviews can help or hurt your decision to move forward – give them the weight they deserve.
Niche Directories
Industry directories are also helpful to boost your visibility on the net. Many of these directories require an annual fee.
If you are a tax preparer, one directory stands out from the pack – namely PTINdirectory.com.
PTINdirectory is like the Angie’s List for tax pros – they collect unbiased tax preparer reviews from consumers. Consumers love to use reviews to make informed decisions (Angie’s, Amazon, and the like). PTINdirectory ranks very high on Google and local searches and they offer a ONE-TIME subscription fee. At $249 that is a great deal – Stop by my website and pick up a promo code for an even better deal.
Monitor your reviews. Most of the time the reviews will be great – but you may get a negative review too. There is generally no way to remove a negative review – hopefully, you have many positive reviews to offset the negative one. Tread carefully, if you have an issue with this seek out identity reputation management services (at a hefty expense). Definitely contact a professional for assistance.
