Post: #1

It's about that time of year again, which means anyone banking from search placements needs to make sure everything is in line.

Google Zebra will be rolling out soon.

It's targeting online retailers (anyone with an online store) to separate legit sellers from the rest of the herd.

http://www.searchenginejournal.com/onlin...nks/62621/

That article gives you a brief overview of what you need to have to cover your ass.

One thing it (and nearly everyone with an online store) misses is local citations.

If you don't understand what a citation is...

1. Educate yourself
2. Understand that it's basically your business name, address, phone number, and a link to your website.

Nearly everyone misses this bit. It can be 400+ trusted, authoritative links, regardless whether they're nofollow or internal redirects to your website.

I'm willing to bet that most people missing these--especially the big ones--will see some drop in search placements.

Don't have an address? Here's how you get one like a boss.

1. Determine what city & state you want your location/ship from/return address to be in (ideally, one in which you have a phone number).

2. Run some searches for large, commercial buildings that are presently on the market. Doesn't matter if they're vacant, but you want to make sure they have 3+ floors.

3. Make up a suite number.

4. Create your "address"

Example:
RooshV Products
69 No Way Denmark Rd.
Suite# 187
Washington, DC 20009

5. Submit to 100+ local directories.

Local directories incestuously scrape one another for data, but you're better off having your ass covered than assuming they'll aggregate the others' data for you.

There are submission services in Google from $100+, but you can easily find solid pros on oDesk or eLance for half that price.

If you don't understand how citations & local search works, I suggest you scope this fly infographic.

http://getlisted.org/resources/local_sea...system.pdf

Acxiom is the best citation you can get, but you have to be a legit business (license submission required), but you can probably cruise safely if you have all the others.

Get your friends to throw you some positive reviews on 3 of the major directories. Personally, I'd hit Google+ local, Localeze, and Manta.

Happy hunting.