Google changed the game for Local Businesses again last week. Pay attention at the back, are you keeping up?

Late on last week, and cunningly just before a long bank holiday in the UK (how could they?), Google made some big changes to local business listings, moving Google Places lock, stock and barrel into Google+.  Check this blog post for more detail.  http://searchengineland.com/google-places-is-over-company-makes-google-the-center-of-gravity-for-local-search-122770

If you're struggling to keep up, our webinar programme might help.  This is a series of four short webinars running at fortnightly intervals through June and July, covering different aspects of how Local Businesses (i.e. those that need to find business in their local area) can take advantage of the internet to promote themselves - based on the stat that when searching for products and services, rather than simply 'information', 72% of searchers look for someone within 25 miles of home.  Google listings is one aspect of it, we also cover search advertising through adwords, reviews and recommendations, and analytics tracking. 

To sign up for the webinar programme - WHICH IS ENTIRELY FREE - follow this link to our website:  http://www.wsipolarisdigital.com/localsearch - there is a Registration Link towards the bottom of the page.

Details of our managed service are here: http://www.wsipolarisdigital.com/packages/localsearch

Hi Noel,

Some great information there for people to make the most out of their Google listing. I'll look out for your updates on Google+ local as I'm sure you'll have some gems of information on how to get the best out of it. This is a subject close to my heart at the moment as I have just been approved as a Google trusted photographer, so keeping abreast of the changes will help me to keep my clients informed. Thanks

There are many algorithm updates taking place at present with the Panda and Penquin updates changing the natural serach results drastically. Many small businesses have been affected though. Very interesting stat that 72% of people look for businesses close to their home. Very interesting read.