Today allow me to nudge you a little so you can claim what is rightfully yours: your Google Maps (or Google Local) listing.
Even if you do not have a website (I can help you with, by the way) open up a new window or tab and visit http://maps.google.com/ and set up your Google Maps listing and make sure the information is displayed correctly?
Go on. I'll wait right here for ya.
Why is this so important?
Local search is HUGE (and by "local search" I mean somebody typing in "Mexican food Murrieta" instead of just "Mexican food"). By having an accurate, detailed local listing you will reach millions of internet users immediately and at no charge. As in FREE!
Consumers turn to the internet now more than the Yellow Pages so it is VITAL to have your business listed so search engines like Google.com, Google Maps, Yahoo, Bing + Yelp.com. Creating a listing is quick and they have instructions for you each step of the way.
As an added bonus you remain in control of your listing and what it says and can update it at any time. (Try doing that with your Yellow Pages ad!) When you make a change you may have to verify your changes but that can be done with an automated phone call from the search engine's system.
So without even having a website you can add pictures, videos, hours of operation, brands carried, coupons, specials and specialties all for free and all today.
This will get you on the search engines and get you in front of your prospects. Local listings are also a fast, easy way to maintain and build your online presence without a website or with just an "average" website.
ocal Search
Local search, i.e. Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, and Bing Maps, is becoming the most dominant sources of internet traffic. It is already a $33 billion a year industry and with the growth of smart phones such as Apple's iPhone, Rim's Blackberry and Google's own Droid, the need for better local search results is only going to grow.
The reason is because smart phone owners search differently. I know when I'm in town or traveling when I want to look up something I just use the iPhone's built-in Google Map rather than pulling up Google. The iPhone (and most other smart phones) have built-in GPS to plot the shortest distance to my destination and we all know time is money.
Convinced? Ready to get listed? Here’s what you do...
- Follow this link to the Google Local Business Center page.
- Select "Edit" next to your business name.
- Go crazy here! Add all the usual information - phone number, address, hours, payments accepted - along with email addresses, website if you have one (call me if you don't have one!) but then also add photos of your business, videos (call me if you need help here) and brands carried. (It's so nice of Google to own YouTube and allow you to embed your YouTube videos to your listing!)
- Review your information and click the “submit” button.
- Google needs to verify that you are the owner of your listing. They’ll either mail you a postcard with a PIN and activation instructions to the business address associated with your listing or they will call your number listed and give you the PIN immediately. (I recommend the latter!)
- As soon as you verify your listing you may edit your Google Maps listing at any time.
Nice job! You're now an internet marketer!
What? You don't see your listing online?
The Sales Whisperer® has you covered.
Just follow the instructions below to claim your most valuable listings. I recommend you keep a "Notepad" or "TextEdit" open to copy and paste your information because you'll use it repeatedly as you build out your local search listings. Each one only takes a few minutes to complete, but the benefits will be GI-NORMOUS!
Covered above. Their local search results are available at Google Maps. Free to submit listings but you need a Google Account.
Yahoo!
Yahoo!’s local search results are available at Yahoo Local. Local listings are free but "enhancements" will run you up to $25/month. Submit your local listing.
Bing
Add a new listing at the Listing Center
Bing Local Listing Center (click on “Add a Listing” at the bottom).
Yelp
Yelp is an online city guide comprised of user-generated reviews. If you are a restaurant or other "consumer-oriented" type of "brick-and-mortar business" you need to be here but all businesses can benefit from being on Yelp.
Here's the Yelp Business Owner's Guide link.
YellowPages.com
Believe it or not, Yellowpages.com offers a free listing. Get listed with the Yellow Pages here.
Give me a shout if you'd like help speeding up your internet marketing efforts. I gotta run...your competition is on the other line!
If you need more help growing your sales, check out the following resources scattered around this site and a few others I operate, such as:
- The Art Of The Close
- Market Like A Man
- 30 Day Sales Growth
- No More Sales Duds
- Hire The Best Keynote Speaker
- Infusionsoft Demo
- Ontraport Demo
Good Selling,