Are You Listed in Google Local?

Have you searched for a local business in Google and discovered a map with the business locations on the page? Is your business on that map? With Google Local Business Center, you can put your business on the map and not pay a dime.

Google Local is a feature to help find local businesses, even when they have a web site. These listings show companies who have entered business information in the Google Local Business Center, advertised with companies like CitySearch, SuperPages, DigitalCity, or other local portals, or simply have a Yellow Pages listing. Even when you have the top search result listing for a specific phrase, the Google local listings may still show up first, so it pays to be included there as well.

Major Factors
What are the major factors for being listed first in the local results? Currently your business location, local internet advertising and a listing in the Yellow Pages are the top three. Having a well-optimized site also helps with these results.

Location
The distance from a business to what the Yellow Pages considers the "center" of your city can play a big part. Try a search for Minneapolis pizza. The majority of local results are located in the Minneapolis city limits. Physical location plays a big part in many different Google Local searches and it makes sense that they will continue to consider this a valuable factor.

Getting Listed
Adding yourself to Google Local can be done for free by signing up at the Google Local Business Center. You can write your own description, list your business hours, the kinds of payments you accept, and you can choose to show contact information including an email and link to your website.

Getting your business into Google Local Business Center can help with your online advertising. It is still most helpful to have a well optimized site for search engines. Updating and maintaining your site so customers continue to use your business is also a big asset. A listing in Google Local is just one more great way to reach out to new customers looking for your business online.