So you want to know where to spend your time and attention when it comes to local search marketing. Who doesn’t? Problem is, it’s different for every business and it’s different for every community where your business is located. Fortunately, finding the sites that do the best job of promoting your business is easy to do. Here’s how it’s done.

Start by doing a search on Google, just as a potential customer would to find your business. I’m not suggesting that you search for “Dollies Gourmet Pizza,” but rather, “pizza Honolulu.” (product/service offering + location)

Look at the results. What results show up first, second, third etc.? These are the sites where you need to insure your business is listed. These are the sites where you need to focus your time and attention.

Let’s start with the results for “pizza Honolulu, HI” found on Google where 65% of all searches are initiated.

1. Google Maps
2. Local.Yahoo
3. Yelp
4. Yelp
5. TripAdvisor
6. Matteospizzeria
7. Urbanspoon
8. IAF
9. Citysearch
10. Switchboard

Next, let’s do the same search on Yahoo! where 19.6% of all searches are done.
1. Local.Yahoo
2. Local.yahoo
3. Local.yahoo
4. Yelp
5. Yelp
6. Shakapizza
7. TripAdvisor
8. Maui.CitySearch
9. JustClickLocal
10. Travel.yahoo

And now let’s do our final search on Bing who represents 8.4% of all searches on the Internet.
1. Bing/local
2. Yelp
3. Local.yahoo
4. TripAdvisor
5. Local.yahoo
6. Kiheihi.web.aloha
7. TripAdvisor
8. Yelp
9. TripAdvisor
10. Travel.Yahoo

Based on these findings in the three largest search engines, and knowing that Google represents the lion’s share of the searches, here are the top five sites where I would focus my local search marketing attention if I owned a pizza shop in Honolulu, Hawaii.

1. Google Maps
2. Local.Yahoo
3. Yelp
4. Bing/Local
5. TripAdvisor

This is the very best way to see exactly what searchers are finding when they search for “pizza Honolulu.”

Now it’s your turn. What are the top five results people are finding for your business on Google, Yahoo! and Bing? Do a similar search and see what shows up.

*Is your business listed on those sites?
*Is your business listed on the first page of those sites?
*Is your business listed at the top of the first page of those sites?
*Do you have an optimized and compelling business listing on those sites?

This simple experiment will show you exactly where you need to spend your time on your local search marketing efforts. Just as importantly, it will show you what websites are not working in your industry. Don’t be fooled into investing your hard earned money on a marketing site that your customers can’t find.

Want to improve your ranking on Google Maps and other highly searched sites? My free 7-Step Local Search Marketing program will show you exactly how it’s done. Find out more at http://www.VisOnTheNet.com
Bob Sommers
Internet Marketing Association of Hawaii
821 Kumulani Drive
Kihei, HI 96753
808-891

You may also like to see the following articles:

• 5 Star Reviews on Google Maps Made Easy
• Why Content Should be King of Your Business’ Website
• The Benefits of an Internet Marketing Business
• Global SEO for Small Businesses: How to Increase the Odds
• How Can Search Engine Optimization Help with Business Marketing

 

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