Jan 20, 2009 at 2:35pm ET by Matt McGee
Many small business owners realize the need to market online to local customers, but few know where to begin. A new web site that offers a much-needed launch pad for local businesses launched this week.
GetListed.org operates with a simple premise: It should be as easy as possible for small businesses to find and claim their business listings on local search engines. To that end, the process begins with only two demands of the small business owner: enter your business name and enter your zip code. With that information, the site looks for the company’s business listings on four local search sites: Google Maps, Yahoo Local, Live Search Maps, and Best of the Web Local. GetListed provides a listing snapshot, letting the business owner know if any listings were found on each site and providing links to add and/or claim those listings.
That functionality alone makes GetListed.org a valuable starter tool for local businesses. Additional pages also tell the business owner how many local citations and reviews the business has on each search engine, and one page provides a To Do list to help the business owner begin the process of creating or editing local listings.
Search marketers might find the local dashboard helpful for storing all the business listings of a variety of clients, and being able to check on new reviews they’ve received from a single location.
From my perspective, GetListed.org is a very necessary and unique service for small/local businesses. It’s not a guarantee of local search success, but it is an easy-to-use first step in that direction for business that are just getting started with search marketing.
(Disclaimer: I was one of the beta testers while GetListed.org was in development.)
Share, Bookmark & Discuss This Article
More:
Keep Updated: News Via Email | News Via RSS Feed | News Via Twitter
See more stories like this in the Members Library! Check out the SEM Tools, SEO: Local, Search Marketing: Local Search Marketing sections of the Members Library where this story is filed. Members also get access to exclusive video content, a members-only weekly & monthly newsletter, plus more. Check out all the benefits!
TOP STORIES
SEARCH NEWS BRIEFS
FEATURES & ANALYSIS
RECENT COMMENTS
Stay on top of all the search news with our daily summary, the SearchCap newsletter. View a sample ›
Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.
SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »
Join us at an upcoming SMX event:
Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include:
Featured sites from our Blogroll
Become a premium member today and receive:
Premium member since 01/2009
Patrick Sexton has done excellent work with this. Will be recommending to all small business owners I know.
love the frame, that is there to help you will signing up for the Local Business Center.
Excellent small business service idea.