Lee Watters.com

Google has been testing a new page format for local search results. This new design removes the Lucky 7-pack that has been showing up at the top left of local Google search results. In the new design, local listings will be showing up on the left and a smaller map will be showing up on the right.

The new page layout looks more like a business directory of listings, something Google has been trying to accomplish for some time. Wanting to deliver more precise search results for local queries, Google has made it known they are in a never ending change to provide more relevant search results. The one thing Google has made clear; they will no longer include other Web directories in their local search results.

What does this mean? Other Web directories might include online yellow page directory sites, local directory sites, and other forms of service online directories. Google does not want the user to be presented with two levels of search results. Online yellow page directories have normally been part of local search results, displaying another set of results tied to the keyword used. But with the new layout from Google these sites will no longer appear in the top rankings for local searches.

How does this affect your business? Well, if your business has relied on online yellow page directories or service a directory for leads the sites will stop working for you. Since Google has redesigned their local search results and released “Google places” as their new local business directory. Google has tweaked their algorithms making it harder to appear in these results. Now, more than ever it’s imperative that your web site be optimized to show up in these search results.

If your small business is not investing in some form of SEO (search engine optimization) you stand the risk of disappearing from Google altogether. When Google rolls these changes out nationwide your business could see some drastic changes in the amount of traffic and leads it receives from local search.

What can you do? The first thing I would do is have your web site evaluated for SEO, second I would check to make sure your business is correctly indexed in Google places. It’s becoming clearer, something I’ve been talking about for a long time. Every business owner needs to become a participant in their marketing. You can’t just turn it over to some advertising executive at your local newspaper, magazines, radio or your local cable company. The Internet is playing a major role in how your local businesses found, and how your brand is perceived.

One thing you can count on in this ever-changing world of marketing, things will keep changing. If you have any comments please leave them below I would love to hear your thoughts.

If you have any questions concerning the changes going on with Google, give me a call I’m more than happy to talk with you.

It seems yelp may be dealing from the bottom of the deck. As more reports surface about the business practices of the popular customer review web site yelp.com about altering, and even deleting reviews.  All I can say about this is a number of my clients have been experiencing odd changes with their yelp reviews.

I guess we’ll just have to see how this all works out, if any of the allegations are true, yelp will lose all of its credibility.  You can read more on the story by following the link below.

New York Time Business

Later today I’m getting a haircut and I’m really looking forward to it.  Not because my hair so long, but because of the personal service I receive.  It’s really a pleasure going to my hairstylist.  The part I’m looking most forward to is the shampoo, she washes my hair and at the same time provides a very relaxing and well needed scalp massage.  She takes the time to do a little extra and provide some relaxation. I’ve been going to the same person for a few years now and it’s always been consistent, great haircut, great customer service and the best experience.

In a personal services business like hair styling, you could never build too much value in your process.  When you rely on repeat customers and referrals, providing an excellent customer experience along with tremendous value, you will never have to worry where your next dollar is coming from.  In today’s consumer driven business world you have to provide that little bit extra because your customers going to talk about you, and it’s up to you if they say good things, or bad things.

Keep up the good work Lisa, you’re my favorite hairstylist and you have a customer for life.

Later this week, Google will be added new features to Gmail. According to a person at Google, users will be able to post and view messages about their day-to-day activities. Google will try to mimic status updates that has been much of the success of Facebook and Twitter. It is not clear if Google will link the new Gmail features to rival social-networking services. But just think if they do! That could be huge!

Read the complete story from the New York Times.