Internet Marketing For Free: Are You Kidding Me?
Sunday, July 04, 2010
This past week I met up with a good friend of mine who owns his own Internet marketing business. We started talking about our client list and he told me a story about a particular client that we getting Internet marketing for free. When I asked him exactly what he meant by that, he told me that the kind of marketing he was getting was all local and driving a significant amount of traffic to his Web site and retail store.
How was he generating traffic at no cost? The answer was simple. Google Places. If you don't have your business listed on Google Places, you're missing out. Not only is Google Places appropriate for local retailers, but anyone doing business today. Even if you are an online business, by identifying your location and getting a listing in Google Places, you can benefit from improved search engine rankings and additional exposure when prospects are searching for your services.
The best way to get started with Google Places is by visiting http://www.google.com/localadd/businessCenter
and "Add New Business". What's great about the submission process is that Google makes it easy. Simply follow the steps for entering your business and be sure to optimize your business description. I suggest taking the time to complete the time to thoroughly complete all of the information provided including hours of operation, regardless of business type.
Once you've submitted your listing, Google will send you (in the mail) a letter with a special code that is used to confirm your listing. After you revisit your online account and complete the confirmation process with your special code, your listing will appear within a few days. In addition to information regarding your actual location, Google takes other factors into consideration before posting appropriate search results for those in a given area. The next step is getting your customers to submit online reviews.
One of the best methods for obtaining reviews, which can improve your listing and search rankings, is by asking. That's right... you need to ask if you want reviews. I know many companies are reluctant to ask for reviews but in my mind, reviews are only positive. If the review itself has a negative tone, then you know who you need to reach out to, how your service can be improved, and how to enhance your overall business.
If your company or web site is not taking advantage of Google Places, then get started today. It takes just a few minutes and can pay huge dividends. Just like my friend told me, a number of businesses who take the time to leverage Google Places are getting business for free. Their web site and company name come up again and again, building brand awareness and generating qualified leads.
Marketing Blog founder and top-selling author Michael Fleischner has been featured on The TODAY Show, ABC World News, and Bloomerg Radio. 
14 comments :
Wow. I didn't know about this. It's very interesting. Local views can bring in easy and free traffic.
Thanks for the information.
Great advice Michael, I think that google has some advantages for business that other search engines do not.
I do recall your advice too about submitting your blog to google, which i have and am now listed!
thanks! matt
(http://marketmpb.blogspot.com)
Getting free visitors to your offline/online business via Google Places seems the way to go. I'm going to be sure that my offline company is using this.
Thanks,
Mike
www.michaelhelton.net
Good thought to get started. Do not forget to include all services you offer. A business must also know the value of other promotions/communications to make it memorable enough for prospects to search for it online. and Google off course is there then to direct.
Google Places is one of those great tools that are out there just waiting to be used by businesses. Thanks for the tip.
Hey Michael, I think it is really good advice. But we moved out of our old address couple of years ago and since then I have been trying get out new address on googlemaps. It doesn't seem to work. I tried editing. Getting new one for current address which finally worked but still have the old address come up first in googlemap. Any suggestions.
Nice article. You can in fact do this by telephone and you do not need to wait for the post. You simply fill out your details in Google Zones and once complete you will get an automated call to your contact number and you can then start the process.
Nice post. Keep going.
Great the light came on for my real estate biz. as well as my online biz. all I can say is Wow why didnt I think of that. Thanks Mike
Aaron Giles
www.2cashgiftu.com
Michael
Great suggestion. In fact, I recommend to my clients that they should have three listings on Google for every keyword, pay per click, Google Local, and the natural search engine position. The first two are easy, the 3rd takes a little more work.
It is great to read some of the information and feedback, here. I hope to read more ideas in the future!!!
I used Google Places recently for a friend of the families barber shop in Philly and it has picked up her business ever since. Not only is it helpful having that extra spot on Google listing you but it makes it easier for people with blackberries, iphones, androids, etc. to just click a few buttons and walk to their haircut just blocks away with the built in GPS every cell has nowadays.
Big thumbs up to Google Places.
Good advice regarding marketing tips. I appreciate you and all feed back. Internet marketing is is less expensive than any other.
FIX Bytes
That will be great if that was true, but I think internet marketing is a great business, and it really requires hardwork, but a fulfilling career specially if you ranked first at your keyword.
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