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Local Business Directories for Hamilton, Ontario

One way to increase your visibility and increase your chances of a higher page ranking with Google and other search engines is to make sure you are listed in local business directories. Here are a few that I have found to be quite useful and for basic listings, free:

Hot Frog - http://www.hotfrog.ca/

WorldWeb.com - http://www.worldweb.com/

Hamilton Business Directory - http://www.ylm.ca/ylm/ylm_home.aspx?f=hamiltoncity and click on Add Business

Google Places - Click here

Hamilton.foundlocally.com - http://foundlocally.com/hamilton/General/FreeListings.asp

Hamiltondirect.info - http://www.hamiltondirect.info/membership/business/search/

These are just a few to start. Do a search for "local business listings", "hamilton business directories" or other such terms and you will be able to find some more. Be sure to include your keywords and keyword phrases when given the opportunity and a link to your target page (probably your home page). This is a great way to show up in Google search results perhaps even before being indexed by Google.

Basic SEO for your Website

The following is a quick list of SEO tips to create search engine friendly websites. In time, I hope to expand on each of these items in more detail.

Using a Keyword Tool, generate a list of keywords and keyword phrases that are highly searched, yet low in competition.
Use a keyword in your domain name--if it's not too late and if it's logical.
Design lots of quality content and pages.
Use keywords in the clickable text of your links (as opposed to "Click here") from external pages as well as internal.
Use the search terms in the Title Tag of your pages.
Use the keywords throughout the text (logically). The first and last paragraphs on each page are particularly important.
Use the keywords in your headings--particularly the H2 - H6 headings and use just one H1 heading per page. Also, use the heading tags when appropriate.
Keep you website accessible and usable with good navigation (lots to talk about here at a later date).
Use a sitemap.
Search out sites that could provide a link to your site, especially popular, trusted sites (offsite optimization). This will increase your Page Rank.
Avoid keyword spamming. For instance, don't spam your <alt> tags with un-related keywords.
Keep growing your site and keeping it fresh.

Is Web Video Worth it?

If you want more customers--and more profits, the answer is YES! And here is a list of reasons why you should join the growing list of businesses that have made this decision:

You can reach your target audience for much less than traditional TV, radio or print advertising, and get a much higher return on your investment. Especially since your web video will be available to view for longer than traditional methods.
Web site videos can increase sales by 50-100% compared to websites without video.
Web videos can quickly explain your business and promote your products and/or services.
People would rather watch a well produced video than read text on your site.
Potential customers get to see what your business is all about since web videos are more personal and interactive.
If the web video is properly produced (and distributed), it can help your website's search rank in Google's local search.