Avatar News : November 2009

Howdy, It's less than a month to Christmas, so we hope you're getting prepared for the silly season ahead! This month, we give you some tips on how to make the most of your Google Local Listing. Enjoy our range of tidbits and don't forget to take a look at one of our latest projects. Remember that we close for a few weeks over X-mas so give us a call if you need any work completed before we escape the office for our holidays.

In This Edition

• Making the Most of Your Google Local Listing
• Tidbits
• This Month's Site of Interest

Making the Most of Your Google Local Listing

Google Local Listing is a useful marketing tool for any business wanting to create a positive online presence. These listings can help boost traffic to your site and assist in generating sales and enquiries. If you're unsure if your business even has a listing, then you really need to read this article! Read below for some helpful tips and advice, so you can enhance your listing and take advantage of this free Google Web tool. What is a Google Local Listing? As you can see in the example to the right, a Google Local Listing appears at the top of Google search results (certainly a great position for your business to be listed). Geographical location, contact information and Web address details are clearly displayed so if any of these are incorrect for your business' listing, you could be missing out on potential customers trying to find you. A Google listing also displays hours of operation, customer reviews, Web pages and other important business information.

Where to Start...

Firstly check to see if your business has a listing and if not, sign up and get started. If you see that your business already has a listing that wasn't created by you, claim ownership and verify your details so you can make updates.

Enhancing Your Listing

Visit this Google guide on how to create a great listing for the low-down on what makes for an effective online profile. Enhancing your profile will help your profile display on the first page of results. Some important aspects to keep in mind are:

• Correct contacts - Accurately list all your contact details
• Positive description - Include a detailed description that highlights your unique selling points, but avoid copying the same content from your Web site - try and write something original
• Choose relevant categories - Using the right categories will help Google list your site for the right searches and ensure your listing is being displayed to qualified traffic
• Get an edge - Stand out against your competitors by including visual appeal such as logos, photos and videos
• Add additional details - Include information such as brands your stock or special services you provide
• Encourage customer reviews - This is the key to gaining a higher position, so the more feedback provided, the more Google will promote your listing
• Don't stop at Google - Submit your site to other online directories such as Finda and Google will include links to these results in your listing

Track Your Listing Results

A new feature for your Google Local Listing is a customised report that allows you to see the effectiveness of your listing. The report lets you see how many impressions your listing has had and how many actions were taken over a given time (actions include clicking on Maps or clicks through to your Web site). You'll also be able to see the top search queries for your listing.

Having accurate feedback from the report will allow you to test things out. You can update and make changes to your listing as much as you like, so if you make a change that lifts the 'action' result, you know you've made the right move.

A Free Tool That Delivers Results

Your Google Local Listing is an excellent way to convey important business information to your customers - and by enhancing your listing you'll drive quality traffic to your Web site and improve your position in Google's search results.

If you have any questions or need some help setting up your listing, please get in touch.

Tidbits

Interior design online. If you're planning to change around the furniture layout in your home, why not plan your moves with this online room planner?

Flippin' brilliant. Upload a PDF and convert into an attractive flipping book in minutes with issuu. You can embed on your Web site, blogs and social networks. See an example here.

Pedal power. An ingenious invention that generates power from pedalling a stationary bike.

Turning over a new leaf. If you're not so keen on reading but you own shelves of books, then here's some creative ideas to give them a second life.

Wake up time. Next time you need to set your alarm think of this site offering to snap you out of your slumber. Choose from a rooster, guitar, military trumpet and more.

This Month's Site of Interest

Door and Window Systems (Web site design, development and marketing)

Door & Window Systems provide and install state-of-the-art door and window control systems throughout the South Island of New Zealand. Based in Christchurch, Door & Window Systems approached us to create a professional and informative Web site that would match their existing branding. Their stylish new site features:

A clean and modern design Prominent calls to action on the home page Flash animation Web promotion to assist with search engine ranking results