Resources for Web Development Students @ Robin’s Blog

As I’ve mentioned in class, I’m working on recruiting more students for the program. I’ve posted ads at Craigslist, Contra Costa Times Online, Backpage, SF Guardian, Bay Area Classifieds, and SFGate. I have not received the overwhelming response that I had hoped for, but it’s still early in the game.

I got to thinking about Google Maps and the Local Search and decided to perform some test searches to see if our program was listed in the results. While the County Office of Education (our parent organization) was listed for training and computer training, nothing was returned for web design training or web development training. This is a shame, since we’re really the best deal in town.

I decided to investigate how Google gets its data for local search and learned that this was derived from web sites and then cross checking against the Yellow Pages. Since this class is not listed in the Yellow Pages, we’re not listing in the Google maps either.

I found out that you can visit the Google Business Center and update or add your business to the Google Local Search. It’s a pretty painless process, complete the contact information and then submit “keywords” that you think others may use to find your type of business. The final step is to select five categories that your business falls under. Within a couple of weeks Google will send a verification letter with activation instructions and your listing should be updated.

I wanted to share this information with you because I know that many of you either have a small business or you’re considering starting one. With the popularity of Google and Google Maps I think it’s important to be listed in their Local Search. I also think if you are working on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for a company, this should be included in your efforts.