If Matt Cutts says it, time to do it.

Check out the video to learn more.

How does Google sort these results?  Having the highest amount of reviews is not the answer, as you can see in the graphic above that Crest Hotel is not ranked #1 even though they have 388 reviews.  Google looks at many factors for placement and we have developed a white paper on this subject. Claiming your business through the Google Local Business Center is where you need to get started, but first download our White Paper titled “How to get top placement on Google Maps”.

This white paper has ten pages of great information ranging from where Google gathers information about your business to how to optimize your business listings for top placement. Drop us an email if you have questions or comments.

Here is a great video from Google on how to update your listing.

For example, say you own a bed and breakfast in Tennessee. The first thing that you want to do is explore what kind of sites are showing up in the top 10 on Google for your state and city name. For example, if your state association web site and a B&B directory web site are some of the top listings when you search for “Tennessee Bed and Breakfast”, you may want to consider joining these web sites. Not only will this enable you to get visitors to your site via these memberships, but it is also good for your web site’s Search Engine Placement.

You don’t have to limit your exploration into “link-building” with lodging and location terms. If you also hold weddings at your B&B, you will want to explore the terms that potential brides are using to plan their wedding in your area. Often times you can join a wedding web site not only as a ceremony location but as a lodging option for a honeymoon or for the bride & grooms’ family.

Not all links are the same

Other sites to explore for a listing or a link might include theme parks or seasonal attractions, like ski parks or water sports companies like rafting outfitters or other outdoor activity outfitters that attract people for overnight stays, such as hunting trips.

Remember when you are trying to build links to not get involved with “link circles” or paying a base price for a group of links. Google frown on this and can penalize your site for these activities. After all, building links with other businesses in your area or in your industry is just like networking face to face or business to business. You wouldn’t buy paper plates to serve your breakfast on just because it is cheap and fast. It doesn’t give you the reputation you want, nor does it last. The same can be said for link circles.

Building reputable links for your web site is something that we preform here at InsideOut for our promotion clients. Feel free to contact us about marketing your bed and breakfast web site.

Thanks to Jeff McSweeny for the photo above, Jeff takes great photos and is available to take photos of your B&B for a very minimal rate.

The next conference we are going to is the PAII Innkeeping Conference & Trade Show and we hope to see you there. If you would like to scheduled a time to talk about your web site needs please head over to our online sign up form.