Google Maps offers every local business the opportunity to rank on Google without the cost of Pay Per Click and a search engine optimization strategy.
The best thing about adding your site information to Google is that it’s absolutely free.
Google Maps listing show up at the top of the page increasing the traffic flow to your site by moving other organic listings down the page somewhat on Google.
The image below shows the results returned for Delaware Web Design.
Google map results
You can sign up here, add your listing (if it’s already listed you can claim it). Enter your company details, including your address, telephone, description, opening hours, payment terms and a few other things. Remember, the details, description and category of your business will be how people find you.
You can also add accompanying relevant images and video that can be hosted on www.youtube.com.
You can enter the categories associated with your business, if Google’s suggestion don’t fit your business then you enter your own.
You’ll have to verify your listing either by mail, txt or phone using a pin number that Google supplies.
That’s all there is to it. Within a week or so you might be sitting at the top of Google for a number of different local searches.
I wanted to write this because of a conversation I had with a friend the other day. I told him about a website I was developing for our class reunion and his first response was “let me know how much I need to kick in for the cost of the domain”.
I felt the need to explain that having a domain name is very inexpensive. This can range from $6.00 – $20.00 a year depending on where you buy or should I say “lease” your domain. I say lease because the domain name is paid by your yearly. If you stop paying for the domain it will become available for someone else.
When searching for a perspective domain name I use Net Solutions if I want to look up the availability of multiple websites or url searches. When you find an available domain name start shopping around. I could save a little time and tell you that Godaddy has good prices if you have a discount code. Normally I’ll just go to Google and enter the search “godaddy discount codes”. The number one hit is usually Fat Wallet.
Once you have a domain name you have to decide if you’re a “do it your self” kind of person or find a web designer to design and host your website. If you go the “do it yourself” path you’ll find prices and options will vary. If you want a website that will generate a lot of traffic you will probably want to stay away from a “shared server” and request a “dedicated server”. Most hosting prices are shown as shared server not dedicated servers. Do some research to find out what is best for you shared vs dedicated servers.
If you are going to have someone build your site for you please do some research. Normally a web designer will have a portfolio to look at, contact some clients to find out their satisfaction before going with someone you will regret doing business with.
A web designer will offer package pricing or an hourly rate that can range from $10.00 – $300.00 an hour or a web package starting at $199.99. If you pick a package deal don’t surprised by extra charges when you ask for items or services outside of the package you chose.
That being said, Bad Dog Web Design offers affordable websites and design for the small to mid size businesses. You will work directly with the person building your website and will be given a quote for work requested. If that quote should change due to our customers wanting anything extra outside the initial quote you will be contact immediately so there will be no surprises on your final bill.
If you have any questions this subject please contact me kane@baddogwebdesign.com
