The very first thing you should do to generate local service leads online

I’m talking about Google Local. Google is getting really good at determining what searches are people looking for local services – plumbing, cleaning services and the like. And, anytime someone includes a city or area or even state name as part of their search Google shows “the map”.

Being in the map is hugely important because:

1. This may represent the single best opportunity there is for local service companies to achieve a FIRST PAGE search listing with just 5 minutes of effort.
2. People’s eyes are drawn to the map. Not only is the map in the “sweet spot” on the page (left-center) but the colorful map draws their attention.
3. It can save you clicks (and $$) on your Adwords listing. The 2 work together to make you more obvious, but they click on the map and save you dough.

You definitely want to be there! Here’s how to do it.

1. Open a Google account if you don’t already have one. It’s free and you can do that here:

https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount

2. Go to http://www.google.com/local/add. Google may already be listing your company in which case you can “claim” your listing(s). Otherwise choose Add Listing. Google will confirm your presence in a city by phone or mail. Choose phone for fastest action.

3.Optimize your listing. Include your most important keywords in the form of categories. Choose 3-4, you can suggest categories as well (e.g. drain cleaning). Don’t overdo it.

4. Get multiple listings if possible. If you have a phone number or PO Box in area towns you can get a listing there as well. Here our client has 2 listings in the map.

5. Get reviews on the review sites Google uses. People love to read reviews, they can work for you. Do a search for your targeted phrases and see which sites Google is pulling the reviews from in your area. Then ask happy customers right after you’ve solved their issue to submit a review. I believe it is ethical to get the comments and permission to “use them in our marketing” and post them yourself. Judgement call.

No one is certain of the formula Google uses to order people in the map. It is likely a combination of proximity to the location and number of reviews. You can control the latter!

Dominating the first page of Google for local searches is what we do for our clients. The more times you appear there the more you become the obvious choice. This is the very first thing to do. For more ideas contact us!