Today’s tip comes from Matt McGee, search engine optimization manager for Marchex, a Seattle online ad company. His Small Business SEM blog is here.
How does Google create those maps with the hovering balloons when you search for a local business? And how can your business rate a balloon 
when people try to find you? Here are some of Matt’s guesses (since he does SEO for a living, his guesses are better than most):
- Use of Google’s Local Business Center (LBC) (submit your business information to Google)
- Availability/Trust of other business data (list at some other place like InfoUSA)
- A Business Web Site (one more reason why every business should have a Web site)
- Listings in 2nd-tier Local Directories (i.e. CitySearch)
- References from other Web sites (links from other sites like a chamber of commerce member directory)
Click here to read five more possible factors in Google’s local search algorithm and Matt’s explanation for each. But he suspects this is still a work in progress.
Got a tip, resource or strategy for small-business success? Send it to me at jnorman@ocregister.com. If I use it, I’ll give you credit and link to your Web site.
