Stake Your ClaimListing your business on:Google PlacesBing MapquestDave OstdiekUNL Panhandle Research and Extension Centerdostdiek4@unl.eduPanhandle.unl.eduFacebook: UNL Extension Panhandle

Why list your business on search engines?

• WWW traffic is driven by search engines.• “As a small business owner a local SEO (search

engine optimization) strategy is perhaps one of the most effective online marketing techniques available to drive brand awareness, increase footfall and improve sales.” (James Debono, socialmediatoday.com, blogging on 8-31-2012)

World-Wide Webworks both ways:

It brings the whole world to customers

Also brings customers to you, a local business

How? LOCAL searches

• “Consumers are purchasing more online, however there is still a large portion of the market place that likes to deal with individuals and businesses that are local to them. That’s why nearly 40% of searches, according to Google, have a local modifier included to help narrow down the options and provide only solutions close to the area they are currently in or intend to be in.” (James Debono, socialmediatoday.com, blogging on 8-31-2012)

Local Search Ranking Factors:

• Physical address in city or town search• Correct business category classifications• Proximity of address to center of town• Domain name and website authority• Structured citations – off site (testimonials,

reviews on other sites)

(Chris Mather, cmather.com blog, 6-25-12)

Google

Getting started:

• Adding listing is free; you can also buy services such as locally targeted advertising (AdWords)

• Google recommends using Chrome, Firefox or Safari browser.

• Google account required (or use AdWords login and password)

Adding a listing for local business:

• Submit your information• Verify your listing by phone or postcard• Wait for your listing to appear on Google

(takes up to two weeks)

One way to start:Search for your business

Click on “more info”

Click to claim your listing and manage the

information.

Log into Google account

(you don’t need a gmail address, but if you get one that’s

accessible to several of your employees, it makes

administration easier)

No listing? Go to Google Places(google.com/places)

Google Support says start here:

www.google.com/places/

Choose this option;then search for your

business

If this is you, click

here.

Address,phone,email,web site,description,business category,etc.

Other information you can add:PhotosVideos

When you click finish, be ready to

answer phone right away!

After you click finish, here’s your dashboard:Choose email, notification preferences

EnterPINhere

Additional services you can buy

To return later, www.google.com/places

Click on “Get started now” to log in

Google Places Dashboard:

Update and edit information; tips

on improving listings, too

Google Places Dashboard:

Recent activity:Impressions: The number of times

business listing appeared as a result on a Google.com search or

Google Maps search.Actions: The number of times

people interacted with the listing; (for example, clicked through to the

business' website or requested driving directions)

Where your visitors and search queries

come from

Google Places Dashboard:

Creating offers to appeal to mobile customers.• Free trial, then paid• How it works• Template gallery• FAQs

Google Places is transitioning toGoogle + for Business:

www.google.com/+/business/

More information:

• Google and Your Business blog: (by Google and Google + staff)

• http://googleandyourbusiness.blogspot.com/• Other blogs:– Searchengineland.com– Social Media Examiner: http://

www.socialmediaexaminer.com/– comScore:http://blog.comscore.com/

Bing

• Search for your business at Bing Local.

Your city here

Click here to add or change

your listing

Get started now!(Windows ID required)

• You need a Microsoft Account. • If you don’t have one, you can create one.

(You can use your existing email address; no need to create a Hotmail account.)

Basic info: address, phone, website, logo,

photo, category, business

description, etc.

Tips:• Plan your presence in

advance (category, description, etc.)

• Be consistent with other listings (Google, Mapquest)

• Have logos, photos ready (downsized for web)

• Check map location

• Add more detail

Mobil and QR code options

The shift to mobile web:• “It would appear … that maps on mobile devices have become

a much greater necessity. In the past six months alone, according to comScore Mobile Metrix, the number of smartphone visitors to Maps websites and apps has jumped 24% to 92 million unique visitors – a monthly penetration of 83% among smartphone users. When you consider that more than 50% of all new handset purchases are smartphones (source: comScore MobiLens), there is still plenty of room for this market to continue its rapid expansion.” (Eli Goodman, blogging on 10-15-12 on comScore.com)

Preview …

Bing verifies your entrywith PIN that is mailed to you.

When you get the postcard in about a

week, enter PIN here.

MapQuest

Close, but not us (This is the

County Extension Office)

Similar to Google and Bing.By now, you’ll be glad if you’ve given this some thought, and saved some of it where you can cut and paste.

Reminder: Be consistent.

Mapquest’s incentive to get you to buy a premium listing

Once you’ve staked your claim:Sign in at listings.mapquest.com

Mapquest dashboard:

Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Dave Ostdiekdostdiek4@unl.edu308-632-1252

Panhandle Research and Extension Center

Know how. Know now.