Most businesses don’t realize how easy it is to use Google Local or Google Maps and get found on Google for FREE. Google offers a simple way for you to provide tell them with basic information about your business, and in turn they include those results into their main search engine. Think of it as the phone book of Google, but free. This simple process can help your business show up in localized searches, leading to more traffic, leads and customers.
For example, a Google search of “lawyers minneapolis mn” brings up several results, including Meshbesher and Spence, immediately after the sponsored links.
Step-by-Step
- Go to www.google.com/local and search for your business to verify it is not yet listed with an advertisement.
- Go back to www.google.com/local and click on Add/Edit Your Business at the bottom left part of the page.
- Follow the steps provided by Google. They are pretty simple and straightforward. As part of the process you will need to verify your business either by phone or mail.
- Check back in a few weeks with Google and verify your listing. If you want to update it, you can use the same process outlined here to update your listing. See image below of the advertisement for the Boston Scholars Program including details and logo.
These local results can change and rotate positions with each search. And, these results allow users to add “reviews” so be sure to monitor your listing. Combined with strategic search engine optimization, it’s a one-two-punch for powerful search results.
