Google Local

Google Business Directory

In their quest to take over the universe, it seems that Google are increasingly
encroaching on the territory that was reserved for Yell.com and other business directories.

Given that such a huge percentage of people search for businesses on a local basis, my suggestion is that you have 2 Google Pay Per Click campaigns running simultaneously :

Firstly, just setup a campaign as normal but then make the advert only appear in the area that you want to cover.

So, if you're a Florist in Cheltenham for example, you'd simply use the keyphrase "florist" (or something like that) and then limit the radius of the advert to being displayed to within say 20 miles from the postcode that you allocate.

From geographical IP-Mapping, Google will(theoretically) only display your advert to people that are using the internet in that area.

This way, you don't have to compete with the rest of the country for that key phrase and so your campaign will cost less.

Secondly, you might want people outside your area to find you as well.

There are loads of reasons why people outside your area want to find businesses within your area. Anyone in the relocating business will confirm this!

For a specific example, let's say you live in Scotland. You may have a colleague in Cheltenham that you'd like to buy some flowers for. You don't want to get ripped off so you've decided to use a florist local to your friend to devliver the flowers.

In this case, you'd use the keyphrase "florist in cheltenham" or "Cheltenham florist" or some such, even though you're outside the area.

Thus it's still a local search, effectively.

So, run your second Google campaign nationally but ensure your keyphrases actually contain the location that you want to be found for, as in the last example.

This way, you've covered both bases.

Now, here's a real killer Tip - get your website listed on Google Maps as well.

It's easy, quick and f-r-e-e and can give you the edge over your competition because most people aren't doing it.

It seems (to me anyway) that the search results which are returned that have a link on Goolge maps always seem to be displyed preferentially as well.

To get your site listed - just visit http://maps.google.co.uk

You'll notice that the Google directory is offering reviews and all sorts of things so my advice is to start getting listed with Google Local straight away and watch this space!

I personally think Google are going to have a lot more instore when it comes to offering information about businesses both locally and nationally.

(After all, it's businesses like yours and mine that provide their revenue...)

If you'd like to know more about Google and how to get the most from it, why not
checkout my training system? (I'm offering a f-r-e-e month's trial)

- Checkout http://www.mklink.com/freetrial/ to get More Tips & Advice.

'till next time,

Mike Knight. MKLINK Internet Marketing Tips