submit_url = “”;

A couple of weeks back I wrote a post outlining a review plan for local businesses. On that post I received a very thoughtful comment from David Mihm, a local SEO in Oakland CA.
I was asserting that a busine…

Did you have reviews? Were they removed?

Maintaining your position in Google Maps is a process that is ongoing. As Google changes the rules, as competitors get more savvy etc your rankings may change.

I have taken a brief look at your site. You have done a very good job of being 2 and 3 on the organic search results for your phrase. Your local has obviously dropped and it appears to have moved to 5. On the positive side when I did the search the Local Onebox appeared lower than your organic listings although that may not always be the case.

I am not sure that you are asking for advice here but I will give it anyways

You should first use the Google Local Business Center to its fullest. Add a couple of coupons and be sure to use long Beach Mobile Notary phrase in them. Upload some photos to google with the same title. Be sure to add descriptions etc with the same phrase.

Next you need to see if you can get Google to pick up some local webpages (see my blog entry “What does a local link campaign look like”). Get listed in local directories, chamber of commerce sites and other local sites that will include your address along with your business name & a link to your site if possible (hopefully using your google LBC business title).

I would then see if you could get a few reviews using the new Google review feature. I would establish a procedure with your clients so that if they are happy they take the time to review you. Now is the time to get started on your reputation management.

Last but not least I would work on trying to improve the PageRank of your website. You currently have a PR 2. Be sure that you are listed in DMOZ.org, work on getting solid links to your site from other directories and keep up the blogging and get links in that way.

Since you are mobile in your business and if you can rationalize the expense, you may consider “moving” your business location to a UPS mail center closer to the center of town.

Let me know if this advice is useful and how you make out.

Mike

That would be great if you could.

Mike B

Thanks. I don’t have any baseline for comparison to know if there are now fewer in other categories. Your findings would be of interest.

Mike