For the past few months I have been advocating the use of Google Webmaster Tools to clients and friends looking to learn more about their web site. In that time, I’ve gotten a number of questions around what various areas of the tools mean, how they can be used for SEO purposes, etc.

To help address potential questions, I decided to create a resource for anyone looking to get started. This isn’t exactly Earth shattering materials, but I do hope that it can serve as a guide for those interested in SEO to get started with using Webmaster Tools.

The purpose of this resource is to familiarize those new to the system with the integration process as well as the various tools available. These tools include:

• Diagnostics
• Statistics
• Links
• Sitemaps
• Tools

The full presentation can be downloaded as a PowerPoint Show at the following URL:
http://www.ericlander.com/webmastertools.pps

Below, you will find a smaller graphical version of the presentation on a slide by slide basis.

Finally – please understand that I have no connection to Google, and this document was created based solely on my experience with these tools. As the tools change, this resource may become dated. If that’s the case, or you just have questions – please do not hesitate to email me at eric@ericlander.com.

Just wrapped up my panel at SMXWest on Local Search and Blended results. It’s bittersweet. I know I could’ve done better, and provided some more meat to general search marketers — but I was nervous to say the least. Hopefully that didn’t translate through though.

Tip of the hat to Barry Schwartz who, in typical SER fashion — is live blogging like no one else. He’s got a recap of my panel available already online.

To condense his notes:

…Eric Lander, Associate Editor, Search Engine Journal is next up.

He shows a Google OneBox example for Santa Clara Sushi. He then shows how local results are blended into a search result, the Google Local plus/minus box. Yahoo is a bit more traditional, Yahoo one ups Google by showing a rating by users there. Live Search is very traditional but was a bit more disappointed.

Verified Listings:
- Manually verified feed via Google Local, Yahoo Local and Windows Live.
- Feed Based Solution to submit for businesses with many locations, such as ReachLocal, Localez and infoUSA.com.

Who are Trusted Sources?
- Internet Yellow Pages: SuperPages, YellowPages, YellowBook
- FeedProviders: InfoUSA, Localeze
- Social, Review & Niche Sites: Yelp, CitySearch, Automotive.com, etc.

Tips:
- Cross link your contact pages to MapQuest or other mapping service
- Verify your unverified listings, multiple data sources can lead to troubles
- Free Tools: Localeze’s merchant profile manager lets you update your business profiles for free
- Search categories and users: Local search is very much social, user reviews, etc.