Google Local Search - Google Maps Info For Small Businesses

In today's hyper competitive market, businesses need to have their websites properly Search Engine Optimized.

While many SEO companies will try to convince you that elaborate steps are needed for proper SEO, there are some things that local companies can do on their own. Other things require the expertise of a skilled SEO company and should be considered as well.

The first, and perhaps most important thing companies can do online is get listed in Google's local listings. This is relatively simple to do.

Go to http://www.Googal.com/local and click on the button to add your business. Click on the link to "put your business on local maps." Once you get to the screen, you can choose the "add a new listing" option.

You will be asked to fill out some basic contact information about your business. One of the lines asks for your website address. You should still fill out this information even if you do not yet have a website. While I strongly recommend that every business have a website, this is not a requirement for Google local.

You will also provide a 200 character description of your business. Take some time to make this compelling because this can be a sales point for the business.

You will then go to a screen where you fill out categories related to your business. You have up to five categories. So, a pizza restaurant may want to get themselves listed under "pizza" "Italian restaurant" and "restaurant." If you do catering or take out, list that as well.

You have the option of listing hours of operation and payment methods. You can also upload up to 10 photos. Uploading photos of your storefront, your owners, your products, and happy customers all enhance your listing.

If you have a video of your business, you can upload that as well. As the computer becomes more video driven, this can set you apart from your competitors.

There is also a section where you can list any brands you service or carry. This is a great option for home repair companies to take advantage of.

Finally, you will have to validate your listing. There are two ways to do this. The first way is to receive a phone call at your primary business number. You have the choice of receiving a call immediately or in 5 minutes. You will also receive a PIN number. When the automated Google phone call comes in, simply type in the PIN number.

The second way is to receive and respond to a postcard which can take 2 to 3 weeks.

After you have verified the information, it can take up to 4 weeks for the information to appear in Google.

When someone types in a listing with your city's name in it, your listing should appear. For instance, when someone types in "Riverside House Painting" a list of 10 companies appears. Often, this is the first listing in Google, but even when it's not, it is almost always on the first page of Google.

If there are more than 10 companies competing for "house painting" in the city of Riverside, then there is a section for more results.

If you want to get higher rankings within the first 10 competing companies, do the following:

1. Get listed in as many local directories as possible including online yellow pages.
2. Ask your customers to review you on local business review sites.
3. Be located near the city center (though there's not a lot you can do about this one.)

A qualified SEO firm can help you with all of this, but if you don't have the budget to get hire one, get started on your own with Google's local search.