There are a number of ways to get on the front page of Google, especially for a local search. If you have a business or if you need to get your name or your company's name recognized in a search on Google the most effective and immediate way to do it is to fill out the Google Profile.

It's easy to do and only takes a few minutes. To help streamline the effort, I would suggest getting your thoughts together about what you want your profile to say. This is especially important of you are using the listing for your business. You might also get your picture ready, or find a suitable one of you, not your business logo, but you.

First you must have a Google account and a Gmail address. It's free and easy enough to get started. So easy, in fact, I won't show you here.

Second, go to profiles.google.com and you will be taken to a "Create your Profile" screen. Click the Create a Profile button and get started. You will see some of the information might already be populated with your name. Regarding names: there is a field that you can use for a maiden name or knick name or if you have a strange name that might be spelled one way but sounds another. That's where this field is useful.

Insert a picture of yourself. The tool on the page will let you browse to a picture and edit it a little. If this is for a business, I suggest using a business-appropriate picture of you. People want to do business with people and not a logo.

Assuming you have nothing to hide, you can include other personal information like where you grew up, went to school, places you have lived, etc. This can be important information when you are looking to connect or network with others with a similar background.

In some other networking platforms like LinkedIn you can include your current job position your company name, college and stuff. You can do that here, too.

It's important to show some personality in your profile and Google allows that with profile text, interests and you can list your super power. I think it's a good idea to get link backs to your website by placing a link to your site in the profile text box.

There's room to include you URL once again and your YouTube channel and all of your favorite links.

Most importantly... Sign out and make sure it all took. Look for yourself. You can go back in and edit all the information. It is very important go to the Contact Info tab and fill in all of your contact information like your email, address, URL, phone number. If you have a home based business you might decide not to include your home address.

Google makes it easy to get found. You should be careful and remember: You are placing your information in the public realm. Once the information is out there, it is very hard to go back.

I share a lot more helpful information on my website and in my blog. http://www.davicmediastrategies.com