If you do a local search for a business, you will notice that the search results will usually show a map of the city, and then 10 listings, usually A through J.

Even if you are just your average local small business in Nashville, you can usually get ranked on page one of the local business listings.

This is becoming more and more important in online marketing. So your friends at Marketing Nashville are here to help you learn how to do this yourself!

Marketing Nashville - 5 Steps to Local Optimization

1. Find which keywords get the most traffic. (You want to use targeted keywords that are directly relevant to your business.) Use this tool: https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

2. Use the highest traffic keywords in the main title of your Google Local listing. If your best keywords are “Dentist Nashville” then use that as your title instead of your business name. Sometimes it’s ok to include your business name after the main “keyword” title, but only if it makes sense and isn’t too long.

3. Fill out every detail in your Google Local account. Include your hours, payments accepted, photos, video, coupon (make one up if you don’t have one). Leave no category blank.

4. Use your main keyword for your first business category. You are allowed five categories. Use other relevant keywords to fill out the other four categories. Use all five!

5. Get reviews. The key is to get multiple reviews trickling in over time. Simply ask your best customers if they would mind doing a review on Google for you. Then send them a link to your company Google profile and they can do a review. The best time to ask is when you’ve received a compliment or thanks. Most good customers are happy to do this. All they need is a Google account, and they can remain anonymous if they wish.

That’s it!

Depending on your business category, you might find that you can get to page one after only one or two reviews. If you own a restaurant, bar, or nightclub, you will require many reviews (perhaps several hundred.) However, even this is possible. One idea is to use email marketing to get your loyal customers to do reviews on Google. You could even offer an incentive of some kind, but be careful to remain ethical.

Warning: Do not “fake” your reviews.

Do not fill them out yourself, and do not get your employees to do it, or any other crazy scheme you might hatch.

Reason? This will backfire on you. It will be obvious, and you also might find that your account could get shut down for trying to manipulate the system.

Ask for reviews, but keep it honest and ethical. Do all these things and you’ll go far.

Results can take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks or even months.

Happy optimizing, and happy Marketing Nashville!