Google Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – Analyzing Your Website and Google Places Listing

Here is a list of general factors that a business should consider when assessing their website and Google Places listing for Google search engine optimization. Because of their very close relationship, we have combined Google organic and



Google Places optimization recommendations together throughout this document.



If you are having difficulty gathering or analyzing the information discussed within this article, please speak to a Google Optimization Consultant for assistant.



1) General review of the business website – to see if anything really sticks out that would prohibit/discourage visitors from contacting your company. The site does not have to be extensive and flashy, but does have to be easy for



visitors to find the information they are searching for – including the business’ contact information.



2) Does the website have the business name, address, and phone number listed on every page? Together the name/address/phone (n/a/p) make up what is called a "citation". When a website on the internet contains a business



n/a/p, Google will consider that a valid business citation. The more citations a business has showing (that matches the citation information they have on their Google Places listing), the better it the Places listing will rank. Just make sure



to use the exact same information/format for the n/a/p that is showing in Google Places for the business. Always keep it consistent.



3) Is there a call to action easily seen on the website? It is important to give visitors direction and purpose when it comes to navigating your site and taking action before they leave.

4) Does the business have a logo and uses it on every web page?

5) What keywords are associated with the website (if any), and are they the best selection of keywords for ranking the site? Within your web browser click "File", "View Page Source". You should be able to see towards the top of the



source page if it contains a good meta description and keywords for the site’s Home Page.

6) In general, how much competition is there for the chosen keywords? If extremely competitive, are there more appropriate keyword sub-categories that the business could dominate or competitively rank?

7) What is the Google Places page status: a) exists and has been claimed by owner, b) exists and has not been claimed by owner, or c) currently does not exist. If not claimed by the owner, or no page exists, it is strongly



recommended that some page optimization techniques are applied before claiming/creating the listing (examples: adding web citations, customer reviews, and YouTube videos, etc.). The newly claimed/created listing will automatically



pick up these business reference items thereafter. This is preferred over claiming a new page and then having it flooded with new web references, as it sometimes raises flags within Google.

8) If a Google Places page exists, how many customer reviews and web citations are currently associated with the listing? The more reviews and citations the better, when it comes to ranking high, -- unless there are many negative



reviews.

9) Does the business have other listings in online (or offline) directories or social media accounts?



10) How old is the web domain? The older the domain, the more authority Google will give it within their ranking algorithm. To find this information online, simply type into your search engine http://whois.domaintools.com and



enter the web address. If you then click on the "Registration" information tab, the dates will be listed for your reference. We typically recommend the site owner renew their domain name for 2 to 3 years at a time, instead of renewing



annually. Google likes to see the stability factor that the owner plans on keeping the site active for years to come.



11) It is important to have a good understanding of the current status of the business, in general: typical annual/monthly sales, current cost of marketing/advertising, methods being used for advertising, average number of new



customers each month, and the general sales/marketing goals as seen from the eyes of the business owner. How far away are current marketing efforts from meeting the owner’s goals and objectives? What can be done to close that gap?



Conclusion:

Understand that we have just touched the tip of the iceberg for Google search engine optimization, but we sincerely hope that this article will get business owners thinking about the different factors involved with getting their listings ranked



on the first page of Google. Statistically, Google has reported that businesses listed on page one have a huge "new visitor" advantage over those listed thereafter. With your own work and determination…..or the help of a seasoned Google



consultant, increasing the number of website visitors (and ultimately new sales/revenues) is very realistic and recommended for all businesses in today’s competitive markets. If you don’t, typically your competitors will. Take care, and RANK HIGH!!



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