This post is a how to make sure you are speaking the same language as the search networks you want to be visible on. Every large/small digital agency will tell you SEO is hard, that it takes time, that is will cost you 1.4 million dollars and to trust them. All of those statements are completely untrue with the exception of SEO does take time. Be patient & consistent.
Local business visibility has never been easier to accomplish. If you send the right signals to search engines and the information is relevant/accurate to your business/website it is pretty simple to show up when a potential customer searches for you. There are lots of companies that will try to get you to pay a fee for free listings....please avoid these agencies or 3rd party service. By following these simple rules you can achieve success in being found online.
What you will need before you begin:
- Any log in credentials for created business listing & social accounts.
- A business address (even if you do not actually have an office and work from your home or deliver services or goods to another location)
- A phone number for your business. Be careful what number you use here because it will be the same published on multiple business listings across the web. SO if it is your cell I would recommend using a Google Forward number. You can set this up for free with Google Voice. 1 free number pre google account.
- High Resolution logo for business
- An email address to use for all customers to use. Again....be careful what email you choose. It is also better to have an email address that has the same domain (info@yourdomain.com).
- Domain information (www.yourdomain.com) If you have a domain of course. Do you need a domain & website? Depends on your business. I would strongly suggest waiting until you absolutely need a website before just creating one because you think you do. Building a website before you understand how your customers will engage/use it can be a bit of a waste.
- Photos of your business. Note on photos/photos as content for your social, business listing or website. Ask yourself "would I like this photo or engage with it if it came up on my social feed?" Keep quality in mind when creating/publishing content. DO NOT follow what others are doing. Stand out. Be different. Use images and videos to showcase your brands story.
- Create a good business "About Us" or "Vision" or "What We Do". This is your businesses resume. Tell the story of what sets you apart. Be specific on your strengths. Do not give vague statement that only you understand.
- If you have customer testimonials add them, Here is a secret....if you don't make some up. You don't think every single business that has a marketing budget is not already doing that? They are...and if you really believe you have a great business idea/service (and I really hope you do because you are starting a business) then feel confident about it. Create a quick "KC Group helped take my online clothing boutique to the next level on the web" signed not the owner of KC Group. If you don't want to do that....wait until you do have a happy customer and encourage them to leave a review.
- Business Hours
When you have all the items above ready to go you will start setting up/optimizing your social and business listings.
Follow the links to set up all the browser business listings. They are all free. Do not pay anything.
Use the exact same information for all fields. Having different information sends the wrong SIGNALS and hurts your business rankings. Google's bots are going to need you to be as clear as possible.
Try to use the same email for all log ins to make it easier to remember. You will have to create a google account if you do not have one. I would start with that and use that for Bing, Yelp, etc. Unless you have a priority email you already use.
Business Listings
- Google Business Listing
- Bing Places
- Apple Maps
- YELP
- Create a FB page from your FB log in. If you don't have a FB visit this and follow the steps. Log in FB for business manager.
- YouTube
- Vimeo
Those are the main things that matter. Yes there are offshoots you can create but this is the starting place. Also not every business needs a Youtube Channel, Pinterest, Vimeo, Twitter, IG, etc. Ask yourself the same question you did about your content "would I watch or engage with this content if it was not mine on these channels?"
Hope this article is helpful! Leave comments with questions or use the contact form to get in touch to learn more.
xx,
Katie Newname
