You probably are aware of all the ways that you should perform SEO, maybe even dabble in a bit of paid search engine marketing and even getting yourself noticed in social media. But, what if I told you that you can get a #1 spot in Google for your business locally? Yeah, and it’s free. I recommend every small business and local entrepreneur invest the 20 minutes and get themselves listed.

Getting the top listings in search engines such as Google, MSN/Live/Bing and Yahoo are the difference between getting Web leads and no leads. A common misconception is that it costs a lot of money to land the top listings. Additionally, those who are unfamiliar with search engines might think there is some mysterious authority that judges which business appear. There isn’t.

At least, not anymore. The search engines are still in a three-way race to win over consumers to become loyal searchers. What does this mean for you, as a small business? Free local visibility and well-connected customers can keep in touch with you.

As great as it is to dominate “dog grooming,” it can be twice as effective to be first on “dog grooming phoenix, az.” Consumers now have the tools to give them relevant information, reviews and ratings on local establishments. Anyone with an iPhone now is connected at the lifeblood of Google with their Maps application and have it at a finger’s touch away in Safari. Contrasted to five years ago, Yelp!, Google Local and MSN Local listings were a far cry for entrepreneurs. Now they’re commonplace for reputation management and consumer experiences.

Google and Live Search (now, Bing) has made it incredibly simple for any small business owner to claim their stake in the local, competitive search engine market. Through a simple submission process, verification, you can blaze to the top of their search engine listings as if you were always there. Doing this gives your business visibility and the ability for customers (and potential customers) to find you quickly, no matter how they’re trying to find you.

Google: How to Add Your Local Search Engine Listing (FREE)

1. Add your local business to Google. Doing so requires a free Google Account.
2. Fill in the details including location, phone number and services/products offered. Take your time but don’t worry, you can edit it later.
3. Submit your listing and choose either telephone or postal verification. Postal verification takes longer, but is needed if you have a toll-free phone number. I chose Postal verification, and received this two weeks later:
   

   Google Local Postal Verification for Infusionsoft that I received.

MSN/Live/Bing: How to Add Your Local Search Engine Listing (FREE)

1. Add your local business to Microsoft’s directories. Doing so requires a free MSN Live account.
2. Wait.
3. In about two weeks, your small business listing will appear out of thin air.

Yahoo: How to Add Your Local Search Engine Listing (FREE)

1. Add your local business to Yahoo’s local directory. Doing so requires a free Yahoo account.
2. Wait.
3. In about two weeks, your small business listing will appear out of thin air.

Now, if you simply stuff your Local Search pages with a laundry list of keywords, you’ve missed the point. It’s about relevance and enabling people to find your business on their terms. It would be a good idea to point to your Website,  Twitter, Facebook Page and include key local terms that your customers may refer to. (For instance, the East Valley which includes cities like Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Scottsdale that are located in the Phoenix metro area.)

If you’re like me, it bothers you when it’s difficult to locate a decent local business, and when you do, the Website lacks current contact information. Local Search addresses this frustration for consumers. This is probably the best time ever to start a small business. It’s insanely cheap to get started, it’s easy to make a difference and there is awesome marketing applications out there to help you grow quickly.

Have you seen any effect from these top Local listings; any tips from those who have seen results? Share it in the comments below!

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