by Chris Barnard | Aug 12, 2014 | Google My Business
How Customers Can Leave Your Carlsbad Business A Google Review…From A Mobile Phone
Why does Google make it so difficult for incredibly happy customers to leave a review of their favorite local businesses on a mobile device?
Who knows, we could start asking all sorts of questions about why reviews went from gold stars to Zagat reviews, and back to gold stars again.
Or we could ponder the often times deemed duplicitous – some might say draconian – advertising policies of the world’s most popular search engine.
But…that would be a waste of time…
Speaking of which, there’s no telling why Google makes it so difficult for ecstatic customers to show their favorite Carlsbad businesses some social love, so let’s not concern ourselves with the why, let’s just focus on the how.
WARNING: Google’s method of capturing the mobile review from users on the go may very well change for the better, let’s hope so. Soon!
But until then, here is how customers can review your Carlsbad business from their mobile phones. (more…)
by Chris Barnard | Jul 15, 2014 | Local Search
Local SEO For Your Carlsbad Business May Start With Google…But It Doesn’t End There
It’s 2014; any local business that has not yet taken control of their Google+ Local presence by verifying their listing is out of touch at best, and soon to be not doing any business at worse.
Local search optimization (Local SEO) is not expensive, and if done right it can continue to pay significant dividends in the form of new customers, more reviews, and boosted search engine rankings.
The tasks begin with verifying & optimizing local search engine listings on Google, Yahoo, & Bing. A relatively straight-forward process that should be as important to a local business owner as improving cash flow and paying the electric bill.
This claims process soon progresses to sniffing out any inconsistent or incorrect business name, address, or phone number information across numerous local search sites, internet yellow pages sites, and specialty niche (healthcare or travel review, attorney search, industry associations…etc.) sites.
Local seo for your Carlsbad business may start with Google but it sure as shinola doesn’t stop there.
3 Reasons Why Your Carlsbad Business Needs Local SEO
Local business owners can boost their ranking factors in those foundational search engine environs through leveraging their name, address, and phone data by disseminating it through various local search directories, IYP sites (internet yellow pages), and niche dental health portals.
And what is the end result of improved rankings on the search engine results pages? (more…)
by Chris Barnard | Apr 7, 2014 | Local Search
UPDATED: JUNE 7, 2021
3 Ways Local SEO Gets You New Customers
By verifying & optimizing your businesses’ local search engine profiles or Places pages.
By expanding their digital footprint & boosting ranking signals of those search engine environments through claiming their business profiles in the most popular local search portals, internet yellow pages sites, and specialty portals.
By using some type of review generation system – however generous, overt, well-timed, annoying, distasteful, or laser-targeted, you choose to make it.
Now for the background and supporting info on HOW to get there… (more…)
by Chris Barnard | Nov 7, 2013 | Reviews and Citations
Does Your Business Really Need Reviews?
In today’s digital world business owners must incorporate some type of online review strategy in order to effectively communicate and amplify the all-important digital word of mouth communication that drives their new customer acquisition efforts.
Doesn’t matter if you’re a mobile dog walking business, local Mom & Pop retailer, or a multi-national franchise, your business NEEDS a constant stream of authentic customer reviews, particularly on Google.
Why?
Because reviews are a local ranking signal Google uses in determining your prominence & authenticity.
Eliciting, capturing and broadcasting online reviews for the average business is not rocket science…and it’s not expensive. (more…)
by Chris Barnard | Nov 17, 2011 | Mobile Phone Marketing
For some San Diego small businesses out there, location-based digital marketing opportunities like Foursquare represent an easy cost-effective addition to the overall marketing plan.
Some local business owners are already deploying their geo-location identity across multiple location-based environments.
Is Facebook still considered a location-based service to the local brick and mortar business owner? 
(more…)
