If I had a pound for everyone who asked how to get to the top of Google, I'd have about £637.  Optimising sites is a combination of stuff you can change behind the scenes (code), stuff you do with the words you write (content), and stuff that you do on other peoples sites (off the page) - this is the tough one.

There is a way in through the back door of Google that could put your site right at the top in hours or days, not weeks and months.  It will take you just 10 minutes:

Google Local Listings

You may have seen these before and wondered how to get there. They are the links by the map, often at the top of the search results page.

Do a Google search for what you do and where you do it, for example: Furniture Telford.

Unless you are doing something very unusual or borderline illegal, the top result will be a link from Google saying 'Local business results for Furniture in Telford'.  Click the link and then scroll to the bottom of the page.

Click on the link 'Information for Business Owners' and then scroll the bottom of the next page where Google kindly offers to let you 'Sign up now'.

Work through the set up screens, upload a photo of you, your premises and tell Google all about what you do.  Don't worry too much about completing it all in one go, you can always come back later.

The great thing is, is that it's all free!  Do bear in mind that Google is an independent company and there is no-one to complain to if they choose not to list you, or list you in 79th position.  If this does happen, make sure you have picked the right categories and included a good description of what you do.

Good luck!

About Andy Smith

Andy is the MD of Runtime UK Ltd and does this stuff with Google day in, day out.  Check his web site at http://www.RuntimeUK.com or do the twitter thing @AndyJSmith.