Great information for those detailers that list on Google Maps/Local Business

[ctrent86]

First of all, if you are not listed you should be: http://www.google.com/local/add/businessCenter



Second, I read this great blog post today about a great way to help you stand out from other detailers in your area with people are looking at local search results. This might especially help those in a competitive markets by differentiating you from the "crowd" when users do searches.



Check it out here: Blog Post on Coupons in Google Local Business and Maps Search

 

[todd@bsaw]

That's the first I've noticed that and it does make the listing stand out quite a bit. I've had a coupon listed on my google listing for quite a while but this is something they must have just started. Good post!



Also, does anybody know how the 'Local Business Results' pull their listing order? I used to be on top so my web page would be the first listed and placed on the map when searching but now I've dropped to the 2nd page. This can't be based on search results because since then my web site has gained to the top 3 in the organic listings.

 

[ctrent86]

Rankings I have seen mainly influenced by two items:

1) Location: Google tries to serve up businesses that are closest to the user.



2) Links to your site: They are going to rank your site better with the more links that are pointing to your site. There is a lot that goes into how Google evaluates the links pointing to your site (not all links are worth the same), but from what I have observed in local search they give priority with sites that have good local links as well. This can be links from local business directories, city hall, etc.



You can use a tool like Google Webmaster Tools or Yahoo Site Explorer to look at links to your site.



Let me know if that makes sense.

 

[todd@bsaw]

Thanks! Guess it's time to sign up for my local chamber of commerce.

 

[mini1]

This doesn't work. I tried it several times over the past year and got zero calls that referred to the special google only coupon.

 

[ctrent86]

This might come across as defensive but it is not intended to be, however just because it did not work for your business, your area, or your website does not mean it will not for others. So rather than putting up a rash comment, discuss perhaps what you have tried and did not work.



I will state, for things like this it is going to be very market dependent.



As others have expressed in other threads they live in thriftier areas, so a coupon might have a certain appeal.



What might help your fellow detailers more is, talk about what you have tried in the way of different coupons and the copy that went along with it. Share what did not work and perhaps we can contribute to one another different ideas to try.



I still strongly believe this can really help some detailers stand out in the crowd, and can make a difference.

 

[David Fermani]

ctrent86 - Have you personally tried this with your business?

 

[ctrent86]

No I have not.



I am not an "official" detailing company in the way of a formed LLC or insured/bonded. I do detailing for really as side hobby, but take car of about 15 cars over a year. With a full-time job in internet marketing research (this thread is not a roundabout way for a pitch or anything), and going to school full-time it does not leave a lot of room for detailing. The only reason I have not done this test is, my schedule does not allow me to do detailing in the capacity to merit a website or local business listing.



While I might not have running a full detail business experience, my experience with more than 6 years of website testing, and working with Fortune 100 web optimization clients tells me it could work well for some.