How many times can one person come across a relatively successful small business and find, once again, that they have not even claimed their local business listing in the Google Local Business Center? Enough for me to lose count, that’s how many. If you are a search marketer and you deal with any business of any size, you know that one of first things you should do is gain control of this valuable online asset. If you are an SMB*, you may be hearing this for the first time and you need to pay attention.

• Did you know that if a searcher just types in ‘plumber’ for a search and does not use a geographical qualifier, that a local result set (a “10 pack,” which is up to 10 listings with a map) will be delivered, based on the location of the searcher using their IP address? The 10 pack is placed at the top of the SERP (search engine result page) if the qualifier is used. It comes up placed generally high mid-page (around the 3rd or 4th result) when no qualifier is used. This is a recent development in local search that SMBs* need to know.

• Did you know that the Google Local Business Center now gives you more data than ever before about impressions and actions taken on your local business listing?

• Did you know that if you don’t claim your local business listing then virtually anyone can? That could mean a competitor or who knows what else. Claim your listing right now if you are an SMB*, and if you are a search marketer, do this as a value-added to impress your existing customers.

• Did you know that you can “optimize” your local business listing with photos and information which can help you show up in the 10 pack ahead of your competitors?

• Did you know that people are talking about you? There may be reviews of your company, product, or service that are impacting your sales efforts either positively or negatively. If they are there, you need to be aware. Imagine you get stymied on a deal after someone happened upon a review at the last minute and it sabotaged your efforts.

* businesses larger than the “small office-home office”

This article is from Frank Reed at the Frank Thinking About Internet Marketing Blog.

Note: Seriously I couldn’t have said it better myself- Local business are missing the boat – and big profits – by ignoring local search! Look at it this way, right now YOU are online looking for information about something you need, and this is exactly what your customers are doing too! (even if they live NEXT DOOR)

Discover how to get : #1 Google Placement for Local Search! Atlanta

When you have a business online there are many marketing methods that you will need to use to promote your website. One of the first methods that you need to learn about and use is search engine optimization using keyword rich content. This is one of the most effective forms of marketing online and it is free to do. This article is going to give you some secrets about using keyword rich content for your SEO marketing.

Now, before you learn what the secrets are to search engine optimization, you need to know how important it is for you to educate yourself about this marketing method. Too many people try using this online marketing method without taking the time to learn about it. You can use SEO for marketing when you do this but if you want to have it work effectively for you then you need to take the time to educate yourself on it.

Now, here are the secrets to search engine optimization that you need to know.

Choose the right Keywords

1.  The key to using search engine optimization effectively is the keywords that you choose. You have to take time to research the keywords you are going to use. Come up with as many keywords or keyword phrases as you can because you will need a lot of them over time. It is important that you choose keywords that are relevant to your site. You want to use these keywords in the articles that you write for your site and for your sites marketing. You can also look for less competitive keywords that are more specific to buyers and target them ( read the article on targeting buyer behavior here)

Add Keyword phrases to your website content

2. Now, once you have the keywords you are going to use you need to decide how you are going to get the keyword rich content for your site and for your website promotion. The best thing you can do is to learn how to write the content or articles yourself. When you are a business owner this will be one of the best things you can learn because you will have to write a lot of different things for search engine optimization promotion. However, when you don’t want to learn how to write or you just can’t do it, you can always hire someone to do it for you.

Keep it Fresh

3. You have to make sure that you have fresh keyword rich content on your site at least once a week, twice a week is even better. You also need to have fresh keyword rich content that you can use once or twice a week just for promoting your site with article directories and other sites.

The secret is in the Phrase

These are the secrets to using keyword rich content for search engine optimization. They are not all of the secrets but they are the most important ones. The best thing you can do is to educate yourself on this before you use it, so that you know how to do it effectively.

Keywords are the language of the internet.

Without strategic keyword research and a keyword map, your online marketing efforts are doomed to languish. Keyword research is a dynamic event, and should be done at least once a year.

How Keyword research is like Jeopardy (and you’d better have the right question)

It’s important to remember that people use the search engines like they are the host of a big quiz show. When they type in “large dog beds” they are really asking “What is”:

What are the sizes of big dog beds?
Who has the best dog beds?
Who has a big selection of dog beds?
what do big dog beds cost?

You want YOUR website to become the right ANSWER to their question.

This is how you “show up” in the search engines. Search engine optimization, which is based on keywords, is the way that Google knows that is on each page of a specific website. If  you would like to get the most comprehensive and accurate Keyword research for your business web site give us a call LeadMastersUSA at 678 318 7515

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and

Successful Keyword Research Examines The Intent Behind The Search As Well As The Words

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Discover how to get : #1 Google Placement for Local Search! Atlanta

Google Caffeine Can Be Harmful To Your Local Businesses Health

If you own a small business and have a website that drives local traffic, you should pay close attention to the news about Google’s new search engine called: Caffeine. As part of the pre-launch research, Google has made available a sample of their new search engine for … If you are already using Adwords as a traffic source the you should start building your keyword base to drive extra traffic.

If you don’t, now would be a great time to add it to your traffic arsenal. …

Take advantage of this new trend

To be sure to take advantage of this new trend you will have to incorporate these web 2.0 strategies into your SEO efforts. Creating unique content on these websites is going to benefit your business today and in the future when Caffeine goes live.

Write article over 300 words about your niche and post them on sites like these:

* Squidoo

* Blogspot

* Weebly

* Myspace

Definitely not a complete list, so do some research on all avenues. Ultimately you can only help your websites rankings by linking from these sites. You will get the added benefit of possibly having some of these pages ranking higher than your website in the new Caffeine search engine.

Once you put up content on these websites don’t stop there. You will need to begin an SEO plan for these content pages as well. Having multiple streams of traffic will be key until experts begin to understand Google’s Caffeine engine.

Pay Per Click

One thing that will definitely stay unchanged from this new search engine is Pay Per Click Marketing. You can effectively compete on the first page even when Caffeine goes live. If you are already using Adwords as a traffic source the you should start building your keyword base to drive extra traffic. If you don’t, now would be a great time to add it to your traffic arsenal.

Local business need to know whats going on

Local businesses that use the internet to drive customers need to take a look at the new Caffeine search engine Google is preparing to release. Fortunately Google has released a beta version for us to play with, and actually give back some input. Go to http://www2.sandbox.google.com/ to take a test drive. Be sure to test your main keyword phrases to find out if you are going to suffer lower rankings.

read more of  the story here  From newsgeek.com

Discover how to get : #1 Google Placement for Local Search! Atlanta

What is SEO And Why Should The Average Business Owner Care?

Lots of people get online every day to start a business or to bring their existing business to the internet. There are so many different methods that you can use when you market your business online and most people don’t realize how many methods there are. The best way to market your business online is to start with one method at a time, then when that method is working to bring you traffic to your site you can add another method.

The best method to start with is SEO.

This will not only help your website get found, it will help your visitors connect with your content. Using words and phrases that people search for helps establish trust and credibility, so on site SEO can really help your website perform.

So, what is SEO and why should you as a business owner care?

SEO means search engine optimization. This is the process of optimizing your website so you can get natural search engine rankings. The natural search engine rankings are the ones that you see when you search for something on one of the search engines. The ads on the side of the search engines are the ones that people pay for. So the basic thing you need to know is that you get natural rankings for free using SEO.

Now, as to why you as a business owner should care about SEO, that is simple really, this marketing method can bring you a ton of traffic, which in turn means a lot more money for you. Getting natural search engine rankings is one of the most effective online marketing methods there is because when people get online to search for something, they usually start their search with one of the major search engines. So, you want to have your business website in a position in the search engines where they will see it, preferably on the front page of the listings they see.

Optimize your website for more qualified visitors

The best way to do this is to use SEO to optimize your website so customers searching for your product or service can find you. Yes, even local customers are checking out Google to find local business websites. You need to do comprehensive keyword research so you can find keywords that are relevant to your business. Then write fresh content on your website using at least two of the keywords. The keywords are how the search engines will pick up your site.

Learn FIRST & start small

Now, before you start trying to use SEO for your website you need to take the time to learn all you can about using this online marketing method. Otherwise, this method can become very confusing fast. So, learn all you can about it and then put what you learn into action. This is one mistake that so many people make. You have to take action with what you learned or you will never find success because people won’t be able to find your site.

Remember that each click could be your next customer.

Trying to navigate which internet marketing tactic to use and how often is time consuming, frustrating and expensive. An hour long telephone SEO consultation session is $300 and I guarantee you will walk away with concrete, specific internet marketing strategies that you can use right away. You can have proven and profitable marketing ideas for your business in less than an hour.

Book your appointment today. Call today 678 318- 7515 or email: Jan@LeadMastersUSA.com

Discover how to get : #1 Google Placement for Local Search! Atlanta

Aaron Form SEO book does a great job explaining how to organize your website for optimal results. Learn how to organize your website in a way that is both friendly to search engines like Google and your website visitors.

Thanks Aaron at SEO book    http://www.seobook.com

Discover how to get : #1 Google Placement for Local Search! Atlanta

As some of you know I live in the Metro Atlanta area and recently we have been experiencing many severe storms. Last week I had a very large oak tree fall onto my garage. Luckily no one was hurt and the garage will be alright, many folks in the Atlanta area are not as fortunate.  Big trees have been falling as a result of the past few years of drought coupled with heavy rain and high winds. My fear is that more small businesses in Atlanta will also be falling – because they just don’t get the internet!

Say goodbye to a 50 year old friend

This tree was about 50 years old or more and towered a good 60 -70 feet with a girth of 30+” in diameter. This is a BIG tree. I hate to see such a big beautiful old tree completely uprooted because of relatively recent events.  It seems like this same phenomena also happening to more than a few businesses in Atlanta too.

This past weekend I took some clients to dinner and two restaurants that had been down on Peachtree near Piedmont Hospital for over 25 years had both closed.  I hated seeing that – decades of dreams and good food – just boarded up for good. Say goodbye to Shipfieffers and Hueys.

Tree services don’t seem to care about websites

I wonder how many small business owners in Atlanta lay awake at night wondering when of if this will happen to them? Which brings me to the point of this post – I have been getting estimates for the tree removal and driveway repair and noticed that so far NONE of the people that have given me estimates have a website. I got their all of their information through a Craigs list ad.

Out of State Tree services were at the top of search

When I did search online I got some very interesting results as well. Mostly I got online directories and a few of the big tree cutting companies. The first page even had out of state sites. This was really surprising to me because Atlanta had a lot of storms and tornados, we also have a LOT of trees, so you would think that there would be tons of choices for tree removal, especially by area. If small businesses in Atlanta are hurting so bad – why are they ignoring the most popular (and least expensive) way to get in front of customers?

What I did find out totally stunned me

Yes, so far NONE of these companies even had a Tree Removal website, much less any relevant information past their abbreviated ad. A few remarked that their bosses wouldn’t pursue it because they are “old school” and get their business through word of mouth. Another remarked that he was working on it.  Yet another mentioned having an idea for a Professional tree service in Atlanta website last year.  Wow I thought business must be really good for these guys.

Craigs list huh?

Great I said, but I still found you on Craigs list. So even thought I got their info thru an online portal – none of them expressed a real interest in pursuing a bigger internet presence. Ok, I get it – they are just tree guys too busy using chainsaws to make a website, and it was clear to me that they really did not see the monetary benefit of creating a website much less promoting it. I have been a small business owner for over 35 years and spent much of it in a highly competitive industry where virtually all of my clients were word of mouth referrals so let’s talk numbers here.

How much money is new referral worth?

Judging from the cost of the tree removal estimates I am assuming that the average tree job is around or over $1500. (Probably more – since my estimates were well over that)  So we know that a referral that becomes a new client is worth at least $1500. If you get 1 out of every three jobs you bid on through referrals then a referral is worth a cool $500. (at least) If your website brought you 2 new clients a year – you would be making money.

Now consider this: 89% of local customers go online to search for services or products before they buy, so not only are they searching for your services they are also checking out your business. They are using the web to find out who you are and whether your business is credible.  Without a web presence, your company reduces its credibility and therefore the price you can charge.

How much money are you losing without even knowing it?

What happens when someone goes online and searches for your tree service and you aren’t there? Well, they go to another tree service- one who IS there, a website that gives them the information and experience they are looking for. The worst part is you will never know that you aren’t getting them, because, just like those long time restaurants they just disappear. Since the vast majority of consumers go online to find out information about businesses BEFORE they call, doesn’t it make sense that you would want your business to be represented?

If someone can afford to pay $1500 to get a tree cut down, don’t you think they might have internet access? Most likely they own their own home, a car and have a job. This tells me they are looking online – not just for the lowest price, but for a company that is reputable and trustworthy. Your website might not be the selling point; however it can be the tipping point encouraging people to pick up the phone and call you. Your website is also available 24/7 and can do double duty by providing pictures and testimonials.

How much is trust worth? How may more estimates will it secure?

If your website can start to develop trust, credibility and rapport with a potential customer before they talk to you isn’t that going to put more money in your pocket?

How much money is a small business website worth?

Ok back to the bottom line, let’s say you spend $1000 on a website and $300 a month for 6 months to promote it using SEO, articles, videos and social media. All together you have invested $2800. The question to ask yourself is how many jobs would you have to get to make this website profitable? For most tree removal companies that would be 1 or 2 jobs. Small businesses in Atlanta must ask themselves, is it worth NOT being online especially when almost 90% of you local customers are looking for you there?

Resistance is futile, and not worth the effort, a website will not solve all of your problems, however, NOT having one puts you in the position of being one step further away from your customers when they want you the most.

Does your business need help in attracting new customers online?

Don’t fret, we will be glad to help you capture the clicks your business needs. Your customers are looking for you online – we can make sure they find your business FIRST. LeadMastersUSA 678 318 7515

Discover how to get : #1 Google Placement for Local Search! Atlanta