Small Business SEO

May 19, 2010
 

Small businesses are quickly getting up to speed online. Google is reaching out to the online small business community through a new page about Tools for Online Success. In partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the site introduces local businesses to online tools and resources. This is just the latest in Google’s efforts to empower small businesses, recognizing the growing segment of the small business community hungry for progress and marketing innovation.


Eric Enge, president of Stone Temple Consulting and a writer at Search Engine Watch and Search Engine Land, then joins the show to talk about changes to local search and small business SEO. Eric’s recent interview with Google Local’s director of product management highlights some helpful information for small and local businesses. Google Places, the newly renamed Google center for businesses online, has launched many new features, including Place Pages. Eric explains some of the advantages of Place Pages and gives his top recommendation for small business listings.

Virginia, Susan and Maryann continue the small business conversation with local search SEO strategies. Small businesses have an opportunity not available to larger organizations because local businesses can reach out to their community for links. Small businesses don’t necessarily have to represent themselves online as such because some can serve consumers across the nation from a small office. However, a survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & The Press found that small businesses are the institutions most trusted by Americans today, so small businesses might do well to use their community orientation to their advantage.