Do you have a web site for your cleaning business? If so, what are you doing to make sure potential customers can find you? Too many people work on getting their web site done but don't know how to get people in their area to visit the site. They think that if they put it up it will automatically start showing up in the search engine results.

First, let me say that by putting up a web site you will not automatically start receiving visits from potential customers. You need to put a little more effort into it, and below are some tips for getting started:

1. The first and most important step is to register your site with the primary local search engines: Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, AOL, and Ask.com.

2. Optimize your site for local searches. For example:

   • Add local keywords in the titles of your web site pages. Don't have "Home Page", have "Sarasota janitorial cleaning services".

   • Add local keywords in your H1 and H2 tags (ask your webmaster if you're not sure what these are)

   • Add local keywords in your body copy.

3. Add a map to your site. Google Maps allows you to embed a map on your web site. First you need to be listed in the Google Maps directory in order to show up. Click on "link to this page", copy the html code for your map, and then paste it into your site. (Note: if you run your business from your home you probably don't want to add a map to your office on your web site).

4. Add local content to your web site. You could have a page that talks about your company's history, a page on green cleaning and what's happening locally on the topic, and any local news of interest. On each of these pages, be sure to add your mailing address - that's local content too.

5. Check your listing in InfoUSA. This is an organization that collects information for direct mail and telemarketing campaigns. Make sure your listing is up to date and add your website URL to the profile.

6. Get inbound links from local websites. Search engines give a lot of credit for web sites that link back to your site. For example:

   • If you belong to the Chamber of Commerce, make sure they have you listed on their web site.

   • Your local newspaper may also have a local directory that you can submit your site to.

   • Find complementary businesses that provide local resources to their customers. A carpet cleaning company may get many requests from their customers for other services like residential cleaning, so ask if they'll post a link to your web site.

By doing some of these simple steps, the search engines will find your site and within a few months your web site will start showing up in local search results. Don't let your competitors run away with all your potential customers. Take some time to make sure your site is at the top of the list!

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Steve Hanson helps owners of small cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through his online community at TheJanitorialStore.com. Read inspirational cleaning success stories at http://www.cleaning-success.com;, and sign up for weekly cleaning tips at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com;.