There is one very easy and useful tool to promote your business online that will cost nothing and give you a presence you could pay thousands of dollars on otherwise. List your senior service business at Google Places. If you have never heard of it, think of a tiny handheld map/directory and you will get an idea of what Google Places is.
Here’s how you get your business listed:
1 – Where To Put Your Listing
The website to start your listing is http://places.google.com. Once there, click on ‘start now’ which should appear below the line that says ‘Get your business found on Google.’
2 – Join Google Places
Next, you will be asked to sign up for your free Google Places account. Follow the prompts and fill out the information required. Sign into your account and you will be ready to proceed with your listing.
3 – List Your Senior Service Business
Follow the prompts to list your business. The idea is to give potential customers the information they need about your business when they find your listing. That is why it is important to provide as much information as possible in your listing. This means that you can also add photos to your listing.
4 – Ask For Reviews
If you spend any time on Google Places you will notice that businesses listed have ratings of up to five stars with reviews on their business/service. What you want is to encourage your customers to write a review of your business on your Google Places page. You can do this in several ways, but whatever you choose, remember that the reviews will be what potential customers will use to determine whether or not to book your senior service business for a job.
5 – Website
Another way in which Google can help your business is through your website. If you don’t already have a website, now is the time to consider launching one. Having a website and a Google Places profile will help make your business stand out online which will give you an edge over your competitors. You will need to do some homework on choosing a website host, registering a domain name (your internet address) and building your website. I use Bluehost.com, and have arranged a special discounted rate for my readers. Click here to learn more.
6 – Website Alternative
If you really do not think you are capable enough to build and manage a website at this point, you could hold off and enroll in a simple course on the subject at a local night school or educations skills centre. There is a free option you could also use until you obtain the skills to go further. Google has a free blog service at www.blogger.com that will allow you to create a blog and this will give you an online presence to promote your senior service business.
Other Options
You could include business listing at additional online directories for extra exposure. Visit Bing Places (http://bingplaces.com), City Search (http://citysearch.com) and MapQuest (http://listings.mapquest.com) and post a basic listing at each of these services to help promote your senior service business. It is not hard to get your business noticed online, if you know where you should have listings. All of these places are used by business owners and the people looking for them.