Many of our clients have asked us about getting listed in Google Maps. We have noticed a surge from Google in listing local business results in a typical Google Search. We have taken the time to study this topic and here is what we have found.
First, a Google Maps (or Google Local Business Listing- we call GLBL) is a very valuable listing. Even if you find your business listed in GLBL especially on page 2 or further back, you should set up a listing for your business. The reason being is that you need to control what is being listed for your companies goods and services. Some of this information is derived from Superpages and the yellow pages and may be either incorrect or out of date.
As much as we would like searchers to call on our customers because they are found on "First Page of Google" we know that searchers are calling people off the GLBL next to the Google Map because a phone number is write there on the screen. Sometimes without even knowing if they are qualified to handle the customer's request for service or a product. The GLBL may not even be accurate because the listing isn't relevant. For Example, if you do a search for home builders in your city, you may get a result back that has a "Aluminum Siding" Contractor listed or a "Mobile Home" sales location. Because they may have mentioned the word "home" in their listing, they may be showing up on GLBL.
You should also make sure that when producing your listing, you should list all of the locations you serve in the local area. You can do this in the description box at the bottom- you are also limited to 200 some characters so be concise.
Next, you should load up pictures or images of your company for the searcher to view when they find your listing. A coupon should also be added to your listing and can be presented by the customer when they call on you for service. This is also a good way to know how they found your site! Lastly, you should ask your customers to go to your listing and post their reviews. This holds a lot of weight with Google and can help push your listing to the first page.
We also offer this service - getting found on Google maps - as a courtesy to our SEO and Web design clients; however we also can offer it to anyone ala-carte. We have not revealed the most important secret from this service (the secret to get found by over 20 different keyword search phrases) and that is a company secret that will never get out!! So if you want to be found on Google Maps Local Business; we will have to do the listing for you.
Thank you for reading our article; you can call us for a free consultation on how to get your website found on the first page of Google at 888-444-1918.
