Last week we started a segment called SEO You Should Know. Sticking with Local Optimization, we’re going to talk about getting your business listed on a major search engine (Bing) and a major review site (Yelp).  In Volume 1, we talked about getting listed, verified, and seen on Google, which is the most popular and used search engine. But let’s not count out Bing (Google’s largest competitor) and Yelp (a review site where Google receives a lot of its reviews and info).

Again, these posts are here to help get you started. If you have questions about local optimization or other SEO marketing strategies, email moc.evitcaretnignivlovenull@ofni.

1. Get Listed on Bing.com

Similar to how you found and claimed your business on Google, you should start by doing a Bing search for your business name and city or town. This should pull up your business as the first result. Bing’s 1st result page isn’t too far off from Google when it returns your specific result. There will be a sectioned off Map and listing for your business if Bing has the information. If you don’t see the Map section right away, you will need to go to the “More” tab at the top of the search results. Select “Maps” from these options. If you find your business has a listing, click on the title of your business. On your businesses local page, you will see an option to “Change Your Business Listing”. Click on that link, it will prompt you to the next page where you can claim your listing by creating an account. Once your account is set up, you will have access to your local listings page.

From this point, Bing’s relatively new Business Portal allows you to add pictures, target your industry terms, and most importantly; make sure the NAP (name, address, phone) matches what is on your website and the other local profiles you’ll be building. Remember, many of these search engines and directories will have info about your company that they found from crawling the internet. It won’t always be correct, so take the time to claim and revise. The more sources across the web that show the same info, the more these search engines will trust the information they find.

2. Verifying on Bing

Similar to how you had to verify your listing on Google, Bing will ask for a phone call or mailer for verification. The phone call is faster of course, with instant gratification that allows you to publish your updates. The mail option will take a couple of weeks, but as long as all of the information is accurate, shouldn’t be a problem. The main difference between the search engines is that Bing has a support center that will help you if you’re having trouble getting verified.

3. Get Listed on Yelp

In most cases, unless you’re a brand new business, Yelp will have a profile for your company already. Yelp gets its information from customers and reviewers,  and while most who review try to be as descriptive and accurate as possible, nobody really knows your business like you. Since Search Engines will grab information from sites like Yelp, it is important that you claim your profile and complete it as much as possible. Yelp’s site is a little more fun and user friendly.

Search for your business name or industry in your area to find if you have an existing profile. If you do, click on it and claim it. If not, follow the directions to add a business.

Unlike the others, Yelp requires that you verify your business before you edit any information. Yelp will place an automatic call to your company (make sure your automated system is off) and provide you with a pin. Once Yelp offers its sincere “Congratulations!”, you’re good to go. Add photos, bios, special deals for Yelp customers, and of course the accurate NAP. Also, take advantage of the Yelp analytics to help track the benefits of your completed Yelp profile.

That’s all for this week in SEO You Should Know: Local Edition Volume 2. In the third and final volume, we will talk about duplicate listings in the local world. If you have any questions or would like to know more about other internet marketing strategies and how they can help your business, contact the Chicago SEO experts at moc.evitcaretnignivlovenull@ofni or call today.