Fix this simple mistake and get found!

I look at a LOT of websites from all over the world – and there’s one mistake I see over and over again that’s easily fixed.

I was recently in the mood to try a new fitness class at a local studio I’ve never been to. I’d heard of them, but google didn’t display any results.

(issue #1 – uh-oh, google can’t find them either?)

I knew their name, so I rooted around on facebook and from there I was able to find their website. I could NOT find their address anywhere — not on their header, front page or footer. The website looked totally homemade and it used a “unique” navigation, so it was hard to find the contact link.

(issue #2 – no easily seen address).

Halfway down their contact page, there it was…hidden below some “decorative” elements that just distracted me from their address.

Then I had to fire up google maps to even see what part of town they were located in – only to discover they are an hour away from my house! If you’re making me work that hard to find you, why should I think that you’re going to care about me as a client?

Do you know how many sites I see that I have no idea what state (or even country) that they are located in? Nothing frustrates me more when I’m reviewing a site. YOU may know where you are located, but what about someone new to the area, on vacation or someone who is coming for training?

Even if you don’t work out of a physical location, you may decide to hold workshops, events or retreats that pull from the local population. Do yourself AND your clients a favor by boldly proclaiming where you are located.

Here’s a few simple places to make this fix:

1. On your homepage — clearly state in your welcoming text block what city AND state you are located in.
2. Put your location in your title tags of your site (this is the information that displays at the very top of web browser). Adding this information helps your SEO (search engine optimization) value. Bonus: If someone prints the page, your location is listed at the top of the printout.
3. Put your address in several locations – I like to put the address at the top of the site as well as in the footer area. That way, no matter what page people click on, your address is easily found. Plus, if they’re looking you up on their phone (which could be 40% or more of your visitors) what’s the first thing they see? Yup, your address and phone number.
4. Add clear directions on your contact page. Be specific – are you located behind the local chicken shack? On the third floor next to the dental office? HELP your clients find you! Located in a major city? Bonus points if you add metro stops, bus stops and parking information.
5. Add google maps right on your site
   Here’s one way to add a Google map directly to your site
6. In a big city like DC or NYC? One simple “trick” I use it to specify certain neighborhoods you want to target – I often put this text in the copyright/credit information block in the website footer (bottom of the page). This one technique promoted one of my clients to be the #1 ranked listing for private yoga sessions in the most yoga dense city in the US.

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