Hands up if you know about a great new way to help you increase the exposure of your business in Google completely free of charge?
If you do a Google search with a geographic location included in the search term, such as “Website Design Dursley” you will see a Google Map with various businesses listed, as the very first result, right on top of the page.
OK not everyone’s business relies on geographic results – but many do.
Creating a local business listing is free; it is fully customisable, and appears within Google Maps search results. It will allow you to add a marker pin identifying our business location and other detailed business information such as address, directions, payment methods accepted, email, telephone, and a link to your website.
Why should you ‘list’ your business?
We cannot find any disadvantages in listing with Google, here are some of the benefits if you do:
* You will be in the first search result section for your area
* Once your address is fully verified you have full control over your listing. You can add or delete non-address information at will, at any time.
* 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.
* You can even move the map pin to accurately show where you are
* 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 simply:
* Register yourself in the Local Business Centre (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 you can enter your phone number – Google calls you right away and an automated voice provide a 4 digit code, you type it in and presto. Alternatively Google can send 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 a few 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.
That’s all for now, but we will be bringing you more useful hints and guides in the coming months – 19Dozen customers who already use our SEO services will of course have Google Maps listings added automatically.
