Flash Forward Sites

Have you tried to search for your business name in Google? It’s best to put your business name in quotes when searching, to help weed out other variations.

How many results did google show? Was it at least 1000? If you are under 1000, you are invisible.

How about your contact info? It’s vital to have your business name, address, phone on other Directory sites. And it needs to be exactly like what you have on your website. For example, if you have STE for the word Suite on your website, all other sites and directories should also have STE.

For the next test. How many listings can you find with your business name and phone number?

Simply search for the last 7 digits of your phone number, as it appears on your website. And include your business name. Did Google find at least 500 results?

Here is an example. As I write this I have a friend who does an amazing job with countertops. If I search for “elegant finishes” 326-6004

Google is only finding 33 results. His business is invisible.

So what can you do to get your info “out there”, so potential Customers can find you?

1) Create a free Business Listing in Google Places.  Click on GET STARTED under “Get your Business Found on Google”. Keep filling in all the fields to provide all your information.

2) Easily get 100+ websites and directories at Univeral Business Listing.
You can see a current list where UBL will distribute your info at https://www.ubl.org/Distribution_List.aspx
Click on PACKAGES to purchase the plan you want. UBL charges you annually. Considering how much time it takes to get updated on 100 individual sites, the price for UBL is well worth it. Its a huge time saver. Enter your info once and UBL will add it to all the sites.

3) Here are some addtional websites to look at. Some of these may work for your business. If so, you can create an account or profile to list your Business.

http://biznik.com

http://bx.businessweek.com

http://dmoz.org

http://econnect.entrepreneur.com

http://local.botw.org

http://sta.rtup.biz

http://www.Answers.com

http://www.bizsugar.com

http://www.eventful.com

http://www.flickr.com

http://www.joeant.com

http://www.meetup.com

http://www.partnerup.com/default.aspx

http://www.rateitall.com/promote

http://www.startupnation.com

http://www.Twitter.com

http://www.webdirectory.com

http://www.webring.com

http://www.wepapers.com

http://www.wikipedia.org

4) Lastly, look up your competition the same way. What other websites are they using, that you have’t used yet for your Business. Many occupations have special or niche directories that you can use. You can find them easier by looking at your competitors to see where they are listed.

Don’t think you are done when Google shows you reached 500. The steps above are to help get you started. This is just the begining for promoting your business and website. You want to continuously be on the lookout for other places to list your business.

If you have a smartphone, I’m sure you have done it. You have used your phone to view websites. Restaurants, stores, banking, and finding nearby places – right?

Google reports that nearly 30% of searches come from phones and tablets.

How about your own site? Are you getting mobile traffic? If you followed my tip on collecting statistics then you know if you are.

If you are ready for a mobile webpage, here is an easy way to create one yourself.  There are several sites that let you build a Mobile webpage.  One such site is WinkSite.com.

When you use such a tool, remember to simplify your web page.  Consider what are the top 3 or 4 actions a mobile person needs to do.  Call you?   Get directions to your location?  If you are a restaurant, see your Menu?  How about showing your specials?

Keep it simple and easy for your Mobile page.

Once you use a tool to create your Mobile page, now you need to make it work with your website.  Preferably, your website detects that the device is a smartphone or tablet, and presents your Mobile page instead of your full website.

That takes some editing of your Website to add some code, which you can get from MobileESP.  If this part seems to complicated, call or email me and I can help.

What does your Business Page wall look like? Are your fans leaving comments and asking questions? Or is it full of posts that you put there.

Remember, the real power of a Business Page comes from comments and shares from your Fans.

Why?

Because as Fans make comments and share with others, Facebook will display those comments in the news feed of the Fan’s facebook friends. This results in more visibility and sometimes gets more Fans involved in the conversation.

So try to get your Fans engaged and have conversations with them. Here are 2 techniques to help:

1) Post Pictures or Videos. People are more likely to comment on your photos and videos than a text only post.

2) Ask a simple question where the answer is just one or 2 words. People don’t want to spend a whole lot of time typing. But you’ll see that quick one or 2 word answers work much better.

Try them both. And you’ll see more feedback from Fans.