Google Local Business Center Guide (part 2)
Dealing with Duplicate Business Listings
Dealing with duplicates on Google Maps is a bit of pain in the butt, as you have very little control of what happens. The process is again different for Canadian and US users.
US Users
Claim the most prominent listing you would like to keep. Find all other listings and claim them as well, but make sure to delete all information from those listings except the business name, address, phone and contact info. Also make sure the duplicates have the exact name (title) as your prominent listing.
Give Google few weeks and it will automatically delete duplicates.
Canadian Users
Dealing with duplicates in Canada is a lot trickier. Since there is no option to claim the listing right from the maps, you have add new listing on Local, claiming the duplicates in the process. Be careful here, since you might end with more a lot more listings, and end up with 3 - 5 duplicates! I am still researching on how to deal with duplicates in Canada and will update you as soon I find a solution.
SEO on Local Business Listing
Doing SEO on a local business listing is straight forward. Make sure the title contains at least one of your keywords, as well as some in the description. Make sure that area code of the phone numbers is in the same area that you’re targeting.
CATEGORY - it is crusial to select correct category for the business. If you’re a limo company, then “limousine company” is the right category, not taxi, or transportation.
Other factors are pictures, videos, reviews and details about the business, such as the payments you accept and work hours. It’s straight forward from here on.
OFFPAGE - off page is an important factor in local rankings, so Yellow Pages and other authoritative citations definitely help out. Submit to local directories and to local municipal websites.
Good luck!
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