Managing Your Local Business Search Presence

DaveJ Posted by DaveJ in SEO on 01 23rd, 2011 | no responses

I was being inquisitive the other day and did some searches for a few local businesses I have worked with. My wife owns Northwest Business Systems – she sells filing systems (forms, custom folders, and Kardex Remstar carousel file and supply storage machines) locally. Google maps has her listed as a print shop.

Of course she said WTF.

Then we looked at her listing on Bing and Yahoo.  Old address on Yahoo. Wrong categories on Bing. Same outdated info on sites like Manta.com, CitySearch, Yellowbook.com and Yelp.

She spent the rest of the morning updating all of these sites because I made her. Having correct and consistent info on all these sites is critical for making sure your customers know what you are about, where you are, and how to get in touch.

Here are some detailed instructions on how to get the search engines and the local directories telling your story in the most honest and forthcoming fashion.

Google­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

You need to a Google account to add and maintain business listings. If you already have a personal account, create a new one for the business so other employees can access the account. Go to Google.com, and then click Sign in.

If you already signed in with another account, sign out and then sign in again. Under Don’t have a Google account?, click Create an account now.

Step One: Check if you are on Google Maps

  1. Go to http://maps.google.com
  2. Search for your business name, followed by the city and state.
  3. Find your business in the list to the left of the map, and then click the link. The profile for your business pops up on the map.
  4. Check that all the details are correct and current. If they are, you are done.
  5. If your business profile needs to be edited, go to the next step:

Step Two: Edit your map listing

  1. On the popup window on the map screen, click more, and then click Edit details.
  2. Under Are you the business owner?, click Claim your business (if you haven’t done so already), and then follow the setup instructions.
  3. You can also edit the basic info for your business on this page.

Step Three: Add your business to Google Maps

  1. If your business does not appear when you search on Google Maps, you can set it up at Google Places -  http://www.google.com/local/add/businessCenter
  2. Click Add another business, and then follow the setup instructions

Tips:

  • Choose the most accurate categories for the products you sell and the services you provide
  • Double check that the marker on the map is correct. Sometimes you have to move it because of mapping errors
  • Encourage happy customers to rate and review your business on your page

Yahoo

You need to get a Yahoo business account set up to add and maintain business listings. Just go to http://listings.local.yahoo.com/basic.php and click Sign Up.

If you already have a personal Yahoo account, create a new one for the business so other employees can access the account.

Step One: Check if you are on Yahoo Maps

  1. Go to http:/www.yahoo.com
  2. Click the Local tab above the search box, then search for your business name, followed by the city and state.
  3. Look for your business in the list to the left of the map, and then click the link. Check that all the details are correct and current. If they are, you are done.
  4. If your business profile needs to be edited, go to the next step:

Step Two: Edit your map listing

  1. On you profile page, click Add info. In the pop-up window, click The owner or an employee
  2. This takes you to a login page so you can make changes to your listing.

Step Three: Add your business to Yahoo Maps

  1. If your business does not appear when you search on Yahoo Local, you can set it up at Yahoo Local Listings -  http://listings.local.yahoo.com/
  2. Choose Basic Listing or Enhanced Listing, based on your preferences and budget.

Bing Local Listings

Note: You need to have a Windows Live ID to set up to add and maintain business listings.

Just go to https://accountservices.passport.net/ and click Sign up for an account.

Step One: Check if you are on Bing Maps

  1. Go to http://www.bing.com/maps/
  2. Search for your business name, followed by the city and state.
  3. Look for your business in the list to the left of the map, and then click the link.
  4. In the new window with your business profile, check that all the details are correct and current. If they are, you are done.
  5. If your business profile needs to be edited, go to the next step:

Step Two: Add or edit your map listing

To add or edit your business, go to the Bing Local Listing Center – https://ssl.bing.com/listings/ListingCenter.aspx

Note: You need to use Internet Explorer to use this service.

Local Directories, Review Sites and Yellow Pages Services:

Search engines often use one or more of the following services to populate search results, and to supply information for their map listings if you have never claimed your business in their local search.

Search for your company name on the following sites, and then click the link indicated below to maintain your local listing.

Note: You will have to create accounts for these. Try to keep logins and passwords consistent, and keep track of them somewhere so you can login and update them easily. And make sure to update all of these if you move, add new product lines, or change your business name or the like.

MerchantCircle.com – click Claim this Listing to edit

Manta.com – click Claim Your Free Listing to edit

Dexknows.com – Under Business Owners, click Make updates to your business profile to edit

Superpages.com – Click Improve this Listing to edit

Citysearch.com – Click Own this Business? to edit

Yellowbook.com – Click Own this Business? Improve your Listing to edit

Angieslist.com – Click Claim your free profile to edit

Yelp.com – Click Work here? Unlock this business page to edit

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