Google’s "Place Search" Feature Changes the Online Marketing Game – WSI Hosts a Special Webinar to Answer Questions

Toronto, Canada, November 21, 2010 --(PR.com)-- A localized search in Google, such as one that includes a geographic term like a city, now returns a different layout for displaying its results. This is thanks to Google’s new Place Search feature, a concept that changes the online marketing game for local businesses. WSI, the world’s #1 digital marketing consulting firm, is hosting a special webinar to educate business owners and marketing professionals on the new Place Search feature and answer any questions attendees may have about how these changes affect their online marketing efforts.

This new kind of local search organizes information around specific locations making it easier for users to compare places and decide where to go. With the Place Search feature, a local Google search now returns a display that positions a localized map along the right-hand side above the pay-per-click ads (which scrolls down as the user scrolls down) and up to 7 local business listings taking up a fair portion of the “above fold” real estate, thus pushing organic listings down the page.

Ron McArthur, president of WSI, says, “It appears that Google Place Search displays results in such a way that localized information is much more prominent on the page, pushing general content down. In addition, online reviews and ratings now have more prominence, appearing alongside the business listings, making online brand credibility and brand reputation management critical for businesses that appear in a local search result”.

Experts believe that Google’s launch of their Place Search feature is another step toward becoming an online version of the Yellow Pages. This places strong emphasis on businesses to re-examine their existing digital marketing strategy and make enhancements in light of Google’s changes.

“A lot of discussion is circulating among the marketing community about what these Google search changes mean for businesses engaging in search marketing strategies,” says Ron McArthur. “At WSI, we take pride on standing at the forefront of the digital marketing space by keeping an eye on the industry and educating business owners on new innovations that could impact their online marketing strategy. Experts are saying that unless businesses have engaged in long-term search optimization best practices across all fronts, including organic, local and social, they will likely be impacted by this change. Our digital marketing experts are available to educate and provide sound advice during this time of change.”

WSI’s “Special Webinar: How Google's New ‘Place Search’ Feature Impacts Your Business - Learn to Stay Competitive” is scheduled for Tuesday November 23 at 11 AM EST. Register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/635863608.

For more information about WSI, please contact Valerie Brown-Dufour at 1-905-678-7588 ext. 1370 or vbrown-dufour@wsicorporate.com.

For digital marketing tips, strategies and ideas, follow WSI online | Twitter: http://twitter.com/wsisocial | Facebook: http://facebook.com/wsisocial | LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/wsisocial.

About WSI – we simplify the Internet:
WSI is the world’s #1 franchise offering digital marketing services to suit the needs of multiple industries. The company has the world’s largest Digital Marketing Consultants’ network and a strong head office in Toronto, Canada. WSI Digital Marketing Consultants have helped thousands of small and medium-sized businesses realize their online marketing potential. By using innovative Internet technologies and advanced digital marketing strategies, businesses can have a WSI Digital Marketing System tailored to their individual needs to elevate their Internet presence and profitability to new levels. In 2010, WSI was the proud recipient of 6 Standard of Excellence Awards at the Annual WebAwards Competition organized by the Web Marketing Association (WMA). WSI has been ranked the #1 Internet Services Franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 listing for 10 years in a row. Entrepreneur Magazine also ranks WSI at #13 among the Top Home Based Franchises and #49 in America’s Top Global Franchises. With the support and cooperation of its customers, franchise network, employees, suppliers and charitable organizations, WSI aims to help make child poverty history through its global outreach program.

For more information about WSI’s offerings and business opportunities, please visit our website at www.wsidigitalmarketing.com. For digital marketing tips, strategies and ideas, visit our blog at: http://blog.wsidigitalmarketing.com/. Please follow us online at: http://twitter.com/wsisocial, http://facebook.com/wsisocial, http://ca.linkedin.com/in/wsisocial.

###