Advice for Local Search

Leveraging Results and Optimizing based on Targeted Locales

[CainIV]

Hello everyone. I have been working on promoting my website, but until recently, have not had the time to promote the business in local search. Now that I have more time, I would to work on promoting my website, which offers a specific type of service in various cities.

I developed this list as a start.

Google.com
Yahoo.com
Live.com
Yellow Pages
White Pages
[REMOVED: Specific references to Yellow Pages Brands]

My question is, can I register the same business (assuming it does provide that service locally in that city) in all of the cities and states where I do my business? Is there a limit to how many locales I register the business in?

[edited by: inbound at 2:57 am (utc) on April 11, 2008]
[edit reason] Removed URLS [/edit]

[pageoneresults]

My question is, can I register the same business (assuming it does provide that service locally in that city) in all of the cities and states where I do my business?

If I'm not mistaken, you'll need a physical location for the business before it gets listed in the local listings. With Google you have two options; Postcard or PIN via telephone. Live is the same way. Yahoo! is a little more lenient and doesn't require that type of confirmation.

When you do the PIN method, be sure to be standing by at the phone, Google and Live will both call promptly, like within a few seconds. ;)

Is there a limit to how many locales I register the business in?

Not as long as you have a "physical business" at that locale. If you have 50 stores then you can have all 50 stores listed in their locale.

Also, be sure that the telephone number you provide is one that can be answered. Anything with a rollover system is not going to work. Unless of course you have control over your rollover numbers and can pick up a specific line when it rings.

Is there a limit to how many locales I register the business in?

No. As long as you have a "physical location" you can register the business. If you have 100 stores, you'll have 100 local listings. If you look at some of the Local Results you can see that the players in the know have gotten their clients multiple locations listed already. In some instances you might see 10 results from the same company. Hurry, get in there before the rest of them do! Virtual locations do not count. ;)

[CainIV]

Hi page, thanks for the input. The business does have those physical locations.

"When you do the PIN method, be sure to be standing by at the phone, Google and Live will both call promptly, like within a few seconds. ;)"

Sounds like I have about a week of calls coming~!

[pageoneresults]

Sounds like I have about a week of calls coming.

I do believe there may be a way to speed up the process for "multiple" locations through an API.

[CainIV]

Hi page. Any further info you have on the API would be very helpful.

Also, any further solid search sites that I have not included would be very helpful. I have heard about other companies, but am not sure if it is ok to list them here for the purposes of clarification.