List your business on Google Maps
Often when reading articles regarding web development and search engine marketing we see an ad for a business that sells listings on Google’s Local Business Centre.
It boils our blood to see these business often charging up to $400 for something that is free and can easily be done by the owner or marketing manager of the business.
Listing your business with the Local Business Centre places you on the map when a user searches for your business or type of business. It is one of the simplest and easiest way to get your business in front of a whole new audience.
To list your business you should first do a search for your business name in Google Maps. If your name is listed with the Yellow Pages your business should appear. If you click on the business listing within the map you will find the option to 'Claim your business'.
This process will allow you to add full details regarding your business and upload images and even video.
The opportunity here is to make sure your keywords are present in your listing. Making use of your keywords will dramatically increase your chances of listing for those terms in Google search results. Google has fairly strict anit-spam guidelines for it’s listings so be careful not to go overboard.
Learn more about keywords and search engine optimisation.
To finalise your listing you will need to choose how you would like your listing to be verified. Google will provide you with a sequence of numbers that act as a secure key and you can choose to have these given to you by a phone call, sms or sent in the mail on a postcard.
Listing your business on Google Local Business is the first step in attaining local search business and doesn’t need the help of so called Google professionals.
