Please list sites that you need to be listed on

[XTREME1]

I am going to start marketing this year after a 2 yr hiatus and I know alot of you list everywhere on the internet and I would like you guys to throw out where you are listed.

Thanks

 

[Steve Toburen]

Hey Greg,

SFS member Andres Tobar came up with this list a couple of years ago and we sent it out in a TIPS mailing to everyone. (Bear in mind two years is a century on the Internet and not all of the below links may work. But I think it will still be a good starting point for you and others.)

Procedure: Using Free Directory Advertising on the Internet

Purpose: To dramatically increase the exposure of our business website by listing it in various
free internet directories. This makes it easy for search engines to find our business and
have a greater chance of having a better ranking.

Overview: There has been no more powerful shift in marketing in the last century than the advent
of the internet and the emergence of search engines. (Specifically Google!) So an
entire industry has sprung up based on “Search Engine Optimization”. However, much
of SEO can be done by anyone, including a humble owner-operator carpet cleaner.
(The beauty of the Internet is it greatly levels the marketing playing field simply
because so many opportunities are free!) By faithfully following this procedure when
your prospect googles “carpet cleaning” (or other key words- see below) and your
locality the chances will increase dramatically of your company contact information
popping up!

NOTE: If you doubt the value of this procedure and SEO in your business just enter the
words “free directory advertising” into any search engine. Be aware, however, that
many of the firms advertising “free search engine placement” are less than ethical. On
the other hand, you can use the strategy below yourself and it is free!

Search Engine Directories
Google Maps- http://www.google.com/local/add/ Free
Yahoo! Local- http://listings.local.yahoo.com/csubmit/index.php Free
Microsoft Live- https://ssl.search.live.com/listings/ListingCenter.aspx Free
Best of the Web- http://local.botw.org/helpcenter/jumpstartproduct.aspx Free
Business Directories
Info USA- http://leads.infousa.com/Landing/UpdateListing.aspx Free
iBegin.com- http://www.ibegin.com/account/register/ Free
Localeze- http://webapp.localeze.com/bizreg/Add.aspx Free
Magic Yellow Pages- http://www.magicyellow.com/Add_Your_Business.cfm Free
MatchPoint.com- https://providers.matchpoint.com/login.htm Free
Insiderpages.com- http://www.insiderpages.com/advertiser/find_business Free
Yellow Pages- http://listings.yellowpages.com/ Paid
SuperPages- http://www.supermedia.com/business-listings Free
USCity.net- http://www.uscity.net/listmysite.html Free
Review Websites
Yelp- https://biz.yelp.com/signup Free
Citysearch- http://www.citysearch.com/ Paid
Local.com- https://advertise.local.com/ Free
ZoomInfo- http://www.zoominfo.com/Search/AddNewCompany.aspx Free
GetFave.com- http://www.getfave.com/fave/products Free
Merchant Circle- http://www.merchantcircle.com/ Free
Hot Frog- http://www.hotfrog.com/ Free
Citysquares.com- http://www.citysquares.com/register/business/index.html Free
Judy’s Book- http://www.judysbook.com/ Free
MojoPages- http://www.mojopages.com/advertise-center Free
GenieKnows- http://www.genieknows.com/business/add Free
Tyloon- http://www.tyloon.com/manager/index.php ... tside_plan Free
tupalo.com- http://www.tupalo.com/ Free
Discover Our Town- http://www.discoverourtown.com/NewListing.php Free
Open List- http://www.openlist.com/ Free
Yellow Page City- http://www.yellowpagecity.com/Misc/ManageListing.asp Free
Keywords To Use--- Add your city or location desired along with these terms:
carpet cleaners
carpet cleaning
carpet cleaning service
carpet cleaning services
professional carpet cleaner
steam carpet cleaning
tile cleaning
tile and grout cleaning
upholstery cleaning, etc.

For anyone who wants to learn from Andres and his very practical and easy-to-do-for-the-average-owner-operator Internet marketing ideas just go to www.SFS.JonDon.com and type in "Andres Tobar" in the upper right hand search box. I think you will be impressed- nothing to buy- just good, easy to implement stuff.

Steve Toburen
www.SFS.JonDon.com

PS Greg, as a SFS member you can access the entire step-by-step procedure by going to http://sfs.jondon.com/members/blue-door and signing up for Blue Door Access. Then the entire 700 page Operations Manual is available to you in either PDF or Word formats including all the quarterly updates since your class. There is no charge but you have to do the actual signing up. Look for the Internet stuff under Marketing-08.

 

[Jay D]

Sweet! thanks Steve. :mrgreen:

 

[Steve Toburen]

Sweet! thanks Steve. :mrgreen:

Aw, shucks, Jay. I'm so surprised you didn't beat me up I'm going to share the rest of the procedure below.

Steve Toburen
www.SFS.JonDon.com

PS But you really need to check out Tobar's stuff. He is a down-in-the-trenches carpet cleaner and isn't trying to get rich off of helping other cleaners use the Internet. For example, his Special Report on Advertising on Facebook is more applicable than ever and is (no surprise) free. The download require a simple, one-time-only, no-spam registration:

http://sfs.jondon.com/6662/resources/sp ... t-cleaners

Steps:
1. Have a routine goal. Using the list included in the above post and make a goal to complete 3 to 4 listings a week.
Putting more up faster is obviously better.

NOTE: By no means does the attached list include all your “free directory” possibilities. Keep
searching for other candidates and when you find them please forward then to
sfs@StrategiesForSuccess.com Then we will disseminate them to all of your fellow SFS members
in the next TIPS mailing or by a mass member e-mailing.

2. You may need to dig a bit. If an initial web address doesn’t take you to a sign up page, just look
around and find where you can add your business information. HINT: Some of these sites lack
“functionality”. Always analyze WHY you are having problems finding what you want. Then
take this knowledge and go back and look at your company web site.

3. Get started. Pick one directory and create a free “profile” in their business listing.
NOTE: Most of these directories also offer a paid option. However, you do not have to pay
anything to get your website listed. Your internet money will be better invested in other areas than
buying paid listings on these sites.

4. Be consistent. Make sure the same, exact information is used in every single directory listing.
A. The address is written exactly the same. For example, “1234 SW 23rd Ave.” is not the same
as “1234 SW 23 Avenue”!

B. When you add the business name make sure it is consistent throughout all the different
directories including the same phone number in all listings.

C. Make sure to include your website address. ALWAYS use the same exact
spelling/phrasing.

5. Keywords- Use keywords with your city name included whenever possible. Especially in the
“description areas”. Fill out every single detail that the directory asks for. Complete profiles are
more powerful and motivating, plus they will help your SEO results.
A. Make it readable and logical. Remember that your clients are real people so don’t get too
excited with the keywords in such a way that it’s hard for people to read.

B. If the listing allows pictures, use pictures.
1. Don’t bother with “technical” pictures. Remember to “put on your customer’s Internet
Eyeglasses”. If you were searching for a professional carpet cleaner what would you
want to see?

2. Use before and after pictures that show benefits to client
NOTE: When uploading pictures make sure the filename includes the keyword you are
going for.

6. Cross off the web-site addresses below as you fill in your contact information. The beautiful
thing about this strategy is once you have gone to each site, this process does not need to be
repeated.
NOTE: Don’t forget that especially on the “review web-sites” noted below that the internet can easily
become a “two-edged sword” because they allow two-way customer feedback. So before you list on
these sites make sure you (and your employees) are consistently delivering Value Added Service.

 

[Royal Man]

Follow this advise to the T and you should see your ranking improve this spring.

Using the same exact info for company name, address and phone number is very important!!

You can mix up description. Just include your desired key words without stacking and enter the correct category with your most desired one first.(Just a few categories, More can water them down.)

Just enter a few free directories a week.

(Sometimes too much action can lead to a Google spanking)


The next important step is online client reviews.

More info on reviews in the MMM room.

 

[XTREME1]

this week I have 2 crews out after 5 at night with a few residential jobs during the day but this will be my single biggest week ever and next week is shaping up with residential. I figured being in the office this week it is time to break out the manual