If you have a local business forget about paying to get listed on the tired old print local business directories. They don’t work anymore.

Most people now search for businesses and services online. Yet many local businesses don’t even show up on the Google listings.

If you have a local business, getting listed on Google doesn’t mean you have to go and get an expensive website built. The easiest way to get your business listed online quickly, and get more customers coming to you, is to list your business on Google Maps.

To ensure you get a good listing on the first page, you have to do a little bit of research:

First step is to pick the phrases relating to your business that people are likely to type into Google, if they are searching for the service you provide.

For example, if you run a specialist seafood restaurant in the city of Edinburgh, try searching Google for:

Edinburgh Restaurants

Edinburgh Dining

Edinburgh Seafood

Edinburgh Seafood Restaurants

Edinburgh Fish and Seafood Restaurants

Ask  your friends, family and clients what they would type in to Google when searching for the service you provide, as they may think of something that you don’t.

You want to find at least 5 phrases that are relevant to your business.  These are important and will affect how far up the listings your business appears.

When you search for those phrases in Google you should get Google Map displayed, with some of your competitors listed.   If you do not get this then try another phrase.

Click on the link for your competitor’s reviews,   especially the ones that are listed at the top,   and take note of the categories they have listed under. Also look at the description and photos they have placed on their listing.

Near the photos there may be a link to any directories Google has used to verify their details. Take a note of these.  For example these could be  citysearch.com   or  localdatasearch.com.

Google uses these listings to verify your business is genuine, the more places your Business name and address appears online, the higher your Google Maps listing is likely to appear.

Search Google for “free online business directory”

List your business name and physical address  on as many of the free online business directories as possible . Your address should be the exactly the same on each listing   ( e.g. If your address is  1211 Carlton Steet, Edinburgh, EH4 1. Make sure that is listed the same on everything,  not  1211 Carlton St on one site  and  1211 Carlton Street  on another )

The more places your business name and address are listed online, the better your ranking should be.

Now go here and signup to add your business to Google maps:

www.google.com/places

Enter the full contact details for your business, including phone email and website. If you don’t have a website, click that box.

Put a short description of the services your business provides

You  get to list your business under  5 categories when you setup. These are the phrases that you searched for earlier.  Leaving out the town name, type these categories in . Google may try to “complete” the category for you as you type, fitting it to the most likely option. If this is correct, accept it.

Later you can adjust your selected categories to get a better listing.

Enter as much information as you can, including your business opening hours, what forms of payment you accept  ( VISA , American Express etc )

You can add photos, videos and even special offer coupons to your listing.

Upload Good quality photos of your business storefront, and if appropriate, photos of your product, or the inside of your business.

For example if you own a restaurant you may want to put  a photo of clients enjoying the pleasant dining atmosphere in your restaurant.

I setup Google Maps listings as an introductory service to new clients. It is a good way for your Local Business to get an online presence quickly. There are many more ways that you can use Online Marketing to make a real difference to your Local Business. For more hints and tips keep watching my blog.

Dave Christie

Here is a Video from Google showing what you can do to promote your local Business with Google Places: