Get your business
If you have a physical business location, you can use Google maps and local results to be seen. When people look for your business, they can see you FIRST! How many more customers or clients could that mean for you?
The crux is to be in the top of the search results. Let's be real here; the average person only looks at the top 3 to 5 sites in any given search results page, right? So that is where you want to be and here's hoe to do it for practically nothing.
Instructions
1. Google maps is a search feature offered by search giant Google. There are other search engines doing this, like Yahoo, but Google really has the technology dialed in. Think of Google maps as search 2.0.1.
What you need to understand first is that ALL search results on maps is displayed in a distinct order.
2. **First, the display will show all the Google AdSense PPC (Pay Per Click) ads.** These are the ads that are paid for by advertisers to be up there on top. These folks have either paid or are paying for a specific keyword or key phrase to point to them.
3. **Second, the display will show the Maps local results.**
This is where YOU come in. These are businesses like yours in the same geographic area. To add to the mix, the local results are shown in relation to the center of town.
The closer you are to the center of town, the higher your business will display. Remember, "location, location, location!"
The results radiate from the town center like spokes of a wheel.
4. **Third, the display will show the "generic" search results.**
These are the folks who are listed with Goggle and just show up in results that are relative to yours. By relative, I mean that if you are a DJ business, then all the organic DJs will pop in here at the bottom.
5. Let's start.
First, you need a Google account. Go sign up and come back. I'll wait here cuz I have nowhere to go.
6. There you are! I was getting worried there!
OK. Log into your account and look for the "add new listing" button. Once you hit that button, the system will guide you through the information. All basic stuff like address, business name and so on.
7. Make sure all the info is correct and click the button marked "Add your listing". Now we see the power of technology.
Google is going to verify your identity now. They do this in one of two ways. A phone call or a postcard. I always use the phone call as it is WAY faster.
8. If you select the phone call, they will call the number you entered in the listing. You can choose to have them call you 1) right now, or 2) in 5 minutes. Select which one you want and Google will display a PIN number. When the call comes in, follow the prompts and enter the PIN. BE SURE YOU DO IT CORRECTLY!
9. If you select to verify by postcard, it takes three weeks to get done. Imagine all the customers you could find in three weeks!
When the card comes, it will have a blank space for a PIN code. This is the one that you were given when you signed up, so I hope you saved it! Write it in and send the card back to Google.
They will get it, verify it and open your listing. You will be visible immediately.
10. If you ever need to edit any of the information, you will have to verify your identity each time. This is to ensure you don't get your identity stolen or your listing stolen. This is why I say to do the phone call. It is much faster and easier.
Tags: phone call, search results, display will, display will show, local results, will show, your business