Marketing

Google Maps (Local) Set of Rules for Pet Sitters (and No UPS Stores Allowed!)

set of rules
There’s a set of rules for everything!
We all know that Google has a peculiar set of “rules” that you must follow in order to rank well in their search results.

You may also know that getting your pet sitting website listing to show up in the Maps section is a whole other ball of wax.

First, a quick overview of these Map listings.

Whenever you do a search on Google for any local service (restaurant, electronic store, pet sitter…) Google will present you with a list of results local to you above the regular search results.

In order to have a chance to show up in these local results, you’ll need to submit your business through your Google Places for Business account.

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How To Get More Traffic To Your Pet Sitting Website (and 6 Other SEO Questions Answered) [podcast]

A few Friday’s back, I sent out a last-minute note saying that I will be holding an impromptu phone chat on the topic of websites, WordPress and search engine optimization (SEO).

I asked for your most pressing questions and was joined on the call that provided wonderful dialogue lasting 45 minutes.

I absolutely love these “casual, let’s chat” events and have hosted others recently with Bella Vasta via Google Hangout.

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Life and Business Lessons Learned from My 1 Week Old Daughter

Dad and Danica
Dad and Danica

OMG – I can not believe I am a father!

My wife Heather and I gave birth to Danica Irene on Monday, June 17, 2013 at 3:04pm. She entered the world at 6 lbs 15 oz. and 20 inches in length.

I’m quickly discovering that being a good dad requires many of the same qualities and traits as does a good business owner.

I’ve been a pet sitting business owner since 2008, and have run other online businesses since 1999.

And while I’ve only been a dad for 1 week (at the time of this writing), it’s becoming crystal clear that many of the same traits I have had to perfect as a strong business owner also come into play to become an amazing father.

The 5 Things I’ve Learned As A Dad Just 1 Week In.

Here are the similarities I’ve noticed:

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What Does This Pet Owner Really Want? A Lower Than Low Rate?

one flower in the crowd
Where do YOU stand among other pet sitters around you?
You know that phrase that says “you can’t please everyone?”

Well, I’m starting to believe that no matter what price you charge, some pet owners will still think it’s too much.

Get this…

We had a call recently from a woman that began like most others.

After spending 20 minutes on the phone it was time to discuss prices based on the needed service (daily dog walking). We quoted our fee for service and this was her reply:

“Wha?? I just spoke with someone who can do it for $12. Thanks very much. [click]”

And that was it. She had hung up.

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Why You Should Pay Me For Your Pet Sitting Website

House Builing
With my pet sitting website system, it’s like I build you the house, and you furnish the inside!
Your pet sitting website is most likely an extremely important part of your marketing plan and overall success.

Personally, my own pet sitting business relies exclusively on its website to keep the phone ringing and the food on the table!

Since 2009, I have been dispensing advice here on PetSittingOlogy primarily focusing on ways to enhance your website.

And in December 2011, I began offering pet sitters their own WordPress pet sitting website, completely designed and developed with SEO in mind.

Here is the answer to a common question I receive.

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Will This Pet Sitting Website Domain Name Hurt My SEO Rankings?

I love receiving email from pet sitters.

And I received a great question recently from pet sitter Laura Milholland who is just starting up her business.

She writes: Hello, I recently purchased your “Start a petsitting business in 45 days” program. I have had a really hard time finding a domain name that ends in .com. I currently own the domain “DoggonePurrfectPets.net“. Is that going to really hurt my SEO? Should I scrap that name and try to find something else? Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Great question. And plenty of info to discuss on this topic.

So, I fired up the ol’ Web cam and gave my thoughts on the matter.

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The Best Way to Track Your Keyword Placement In Google Is Not Always A Google Search

track your keywordsEvery so often, I’ll receive an email from a pet sitter who says something like the following:

“Hi Josh, I’ve made some additions to my website, and I don’t see my site coming up in the search results for my keywords. Help!”

While I’m always happy to help, and while there are plenty of directions to take in this case, I’m always interested to know HOW this person knows where their website ranks for various keywords.

Typically, you will search Google yourself for a handful of keywords that you want to rank for. You may even ask nearby friends, family or other pet sitters to help you in the hunt for your Google rankings.

Sadly, this approach for all of us is flawed.

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Top 10 Reasons You Should Join Us in Las Vegas This Year

Did you know that in October of 2012, I held the first ever PetSittingOlogy Live Event and SEO Conference in Las Vegas?

If you didn’t know, there’s a reason for that! Simply put, I was given the opportunity to create the event a mere 7 weeks prior to the start.

And I did just that! In 7 short weeks, last October, I managed to put together an event that was a personal and professional success on every level.

This time around, I invite you to register for the 2nd Annual PetSittingOlogy Live Event in Las Vegas… with a bit more lead and prep time 🙂

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Pet Sitter Phone Script Do’s and Don’ts [Video]

How many times do you hear on the phone with a potential pet sitting client “Whoa, that is too expensive?”

In this insightful video, Joshua Cary chats with Bella Vasta of Jump Consulting on exactly how she landed a new pet sitting client who initially thought, “You are too expensive!”

This objection is something we all hear (perhaps more often that we’d like) and it comes in all shapes and sizes:

Other versions of this frustration objection include:

  • I can’t afford that.
  • Let me talk to my husband.
  • I’m just shopping around.

These are all stalls. Stalls are ways that a caller will get you off the phone without making a commitment.

Objections, believe it or not, are expected, are normal and are all part of the process.

It now becomes the job of the pet sitter handling the phones to understand the true objection behind the words so you can overcome them and WIN a new client.

This video shows exactly how Bella has mastered that ability.

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How to Interpret Your Pet Sitting Website Analytics and Stats [with Video]

Website TrafficSome of the most popular questions I receive, as you can imagine, deal with the topic of SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

As pet sitters and website owners, it’s important to keep a steady eye on how your pet sitting website is operating in the search engines, and how visitors interact with your site once they arrive.

Google Analytics is one of the best ways to analyze how things are going for you, but there is more you can do from there.

One of my pet sitting website users sent me this email and I thought it beneficial to share with you.

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