Google Local Business Centre (LBC) is a great marketing tool that can help you jump to the first page of Google for targeted customer searches.

It's free to set up and it's a valuable marketing tool for businesses of "all" sizes.

Local Businesses
Benefit from a rapid new stream of enquiries from customers in your area.

National Businesses Selling Regionally
Benefit from sales on your own doorstep, an area many companies neglect as they strive for market penetration across the Country.

ANY Businesses
If you pay for Google AdWords, your keyword Quality Score and subsequent Bid Rate can be reduced if you have a prominent Google Local Business Centre listing. In addition, Google LBC also forms part of Google's organic search engine algorithm, so it help your page rank when combined with a well-implemented SEO strategy.

So how does Google Local Business Centre work?

When users type a search term into Google and add a geographic preference, such as "Double Glazing Bournemouth" or "Car Servicing Poole", Google lists a number of relevant local businesses right on the first page, above the start of the normal search listings.

Users can then click through to see important details such as a breakdown of the services provided, company contact details, images, video, customer reviews or most importantly, just click a link to the company Web site.

All you need is a Google Account and the service walks you through Google Local Business Centre, so you don't even need to be a computer expert to set up an initial listing.

However, getting into the top few listings on Page 1 of Google requires a few advanced techniques, so here is our guide to help you move up the rankings:

• Use Google Keyword Tool to find the three most relevant key phrases that customers use to find your products or services, and optimise your listing for these key phrases.
• Make sure you add these key phrases into the business description.
• Ask at least three of your customers to add a review.
• Make sure you add images. You can start with your Logo and progress from there.
• Google automatically recognises back links from referring sites, as well as authority sites so make sure your site is listed in as many directories as possible.
• Add a live Google Map file to the Contact page on your Website and include your key phrases where possible. You may need the help of a Web design company for this.

Google Local Business Centre is one of the most cost effective ways of generating leads. If you need additional help or advice, mwa Digital offers a fast listing service where we strive to get results within 72 hours.

For more information just call on 0844 544 9553 or Contact Us by Email.