Why You Should Get Your Business Listed in Google Maps

Today I’m writing about a feature that can increase the exposure of your business in Google and not many people (including your competitors) know about it.

Google allow businesses create a free Local Business Listing, that is fully customisable, and appears within Google Maps search results. As an example see the Just Search local listing. What should appear is a map of the North West of England along with a marker identifying our business location and other detailed business information such as address, directions, payment methods accepted, email, telephone, and a link to our website.

Why should you list your business too?

In fairness I can’t see any disadvantages in listing with Google, some of the benefits include:

• Once your address is fully verified you have full control over your listing. You can add or delete non-address information at will.
• If you have more than one business, you can list all of your business locations from a single account.
• An accurate road map with directions ensures that your prospective clients can find you easily. They can even toggle between map and satellite view.
• Increase your business exposure for free.

What are you waiting for? Get you business listed today! It can be done in a few easy steps:

• Register yourself in the Local Business Center. You can use an existing Google account or create a new one.
• Provide your business information and choose up to 5 categories that best describe your business.
• Preview and verify your listing. To confirm your business location, Google sends you a postcard with a confirmation code. You just need to follow the instructions provided in the postcard and your listing will be live within 6 weeks.

Having a listing with Google Maps may not have an immediate impact in your search engine rankings. Nonetheless Google announced many improvements to this service, for the near future, that will benefit UK Local Business Listings.

Among these enhancements are Google Maps for UK mobiles that will allow users to send Map search results to a mobile phone, Map links within Google’s search engine results, and the creation of coupons that let Google users print your coupons and bring them to your business.

I think that the Google Maps services offer great opportunities for businesses of all kinds and sooner or later everyone will use it, get there before your competitors do.

Tino
SEO Programmer