The fact is most of your customers are searching online, and your competitors are not doing anything about it. Opportunity arises! Here are 7 simple strategies that are easy to do to get in front of your competitors.
- Google My Business. This used to be Google places but has recently changed to My Business and helps you get your business on Google and Google maps. Start by clicking on this link: www.google.com.au/business/
It is a simple step by step process that is worth taking some time to do. This represents the way Google and your clients will see you. When you are typing in your description make sure you ad “search terms” you may want to be found for. E.g. “Perth Electrician” “Lawyer Sydney”
Make sure all information is accurate. Google will ask you to verify the information that you have given through a phone call or post.
- Free online directories. Here are the top 5 directories you need to put your business in. Google will look to see if your business is in relevant directories. With each directory make sure you change your description by at least 70%. Don’t copy and paste from your website Google will know!
- http://www.hotfrog.com.au/
- http://www.startlocal.com.au/get-listed.html
- http://www.australia-business-listing.com.au/list-my-business.php?id=0
- http://www.localbd.com.au/
- http://www.raveaboutit.com.au/
- Webpage content. Google ranks web pages and not so much websites. Each page on your website needs to have a good description about your product and service. If it is possible devote one page of your website to a particular service or product. This indicates that this business is a specialist and has the most relevant information. DO NOT over clutter your description with keywords that you want to be found for. Google can penalise you for this. Instead use different words to describe your product or service. Feel free to highlight, bold or underline some of these key phrases.
- Blog. Set up a blog on your website. Google loves new content and a blog is a great way to keep your customers up to date. You can then use this blog on your facebook and newsletters. That way you don’t have to come up with new material for different media types.
- Social Media. Love it or hate it, business owners are losing business and rankings if they are not using it. The scenario I see time and time again. The business owner starts very enthusiastically then after 3 months is sick of it and does not post again. This makes the business brand look tired and out dated. I would suggest looking at getting a professional to do it. Outsourcing to a professional (approx. $100/ week) saves you time and money and gets results. This is probably about 2 to 4 hours of most people’s time, where you can concentrate on the sales.
- Create a video or more. You can now create a video with your mobile phone or using free software from the internet. Videos are a great way to show customers your product or service. Here is a brand new one just created: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGHCiSjsFk0
These can then be used on your website and even landing pages to generate leads and sales.
Google owns YouTube so you can see how they are going to rank higher in search results.
- You’re Address. Put your full address in the footer of your website, clear for all your customers to see. Make sure this address matches the address you put in the online directories. Google will match this address to what is in the directories. It’s also good to have your phone number at the top of each page.
- Add Value and Share. I did only say 7 strategies, but we love to add value. If you have great information that you can share with others via blogs, social media or emails make sure you share with affiliates. Have a link back to your website. This creates great value to your credibility.
Spend some time on the above points and you will be out ranking your competitors in no time and bringing in new clients.