Every local business should be on Google Local Business Listings and Google Maps. Many businessmen are still clueless about getting listed in Google Maps. First, Google Maps (Google Local) is a very valuable listing. Even if you find your business listed in Google Local aside from page one, you should set up a listing for your business. The reason being is that you need to control what is being listed for your company’s goods and services. Some of this information could be derived from superpages and the yellow pages and may be either outdated.

As much as you would like local searchers to call you because they found you on the first page of Google, searchers are calling businesses that have Google Maps because they know that you practically exist and they have a visual where your business is located. Your business phone number is readily available right there on the screen so they won’t need to search further.

You should also make sure that when producing your listing, you should list all of the locations you serve in the local area. You can do this in the description box at the bottom, you are also limited to 200 some characters so be concise.

Next, you should load up pictures or images of your company for the searcher to view when they find your listing. A coupon should also be added to your listing and can be presented by the customer when they call on you for service. This is also a good way to know how they found your site.

Last but not least, you should ask your customers to go to your listing and post their reviews. This holds a lot of weight with Google and can help push your listing to the first page.

When someone in your area searches for something you offer, you want your business to be highly visible in Google local search results. If you’re not satisfied and don’t think enough customers see you, chances are you’re losing out because of some very common problems.

Here are four local visibility pointers you should not miss:

Get a website. Having a website is the surest way for your local business to appear on Google local searches. Looking at several hundred #1 local listings across the country, more than 90 percent of them have websites. Your website just need to be up and running well to assist your customers and find what they need. You can customize it later.

Add a picture. Add a picture next to your local Google listing. When you’re editing your listing, you have the option to add a photo next to it. If you have a photo, you stand out from all the businesses that doesn’t. It’s quick and easy visibility.

Keep an eye on your reviews. Customers can write reviews about your business. Not only does Google give you a boost if you get positive feedback, but customers see those reviews. Many people don’t know that one of those reviews gets excerpted and shown beneath your listing. You can’t control which one gets excerpted, and there doesn’t appear to be any rhyme or reason to it. To avoid having a negative review displayed for all to see, you need to check your reviews occasionally and drum up as many positive ones as possible from your customers, so that the chances are small of a bad one being displayed.

Local Business Ads. It maybe isn’t a good option if you are in a competitive market and are just starting out. But in most other situations it’s a good idea. That’s because if you have paid local ads in addition to your free local listing in Google, you get an extra marker on the map. You can even put your custom logo in that map marker. You can’t have either of those benefits unless you get the local ads. There are specific ways to do this but the point is if you’re not totally strapped for cash, you can quickly and easily get a leg up in Google Local Search results.

Google is so popular that many people now use it instead of the yellow pages to find products and services they are particularly looking for. One reason why it is popular is because Google Local is convenient, and it also offers Google Maps. Customers no longer have to call and get directions; all they have to do is pull up the maps to find you.

Another element of this is that you may integrate your map on your website. This is added convenience for your customer because your customer doesn’t have to go back to Google to find you. They can use the map on your site. Even if you run your business online and work from home, Google Local is still a good choice for promoting your business.

Google Local is a feature of Google that allows you to sell your products and services locally, for free. This gives you a lot of flexibility with your business, as well as opening the door to new customers you may not have considered. Even if you don’t have a website, or an online presence, Google Local allows you to free advertisement online as well.

The first thing to get started: you will need to sign up for a free Google account. If you already have one, then go to the Google search engine and type in Google Local. Click on the link and then sign into your account.

Add your listing. It is important to make your listing as complete as possible. This means including any links to any websites you may own, as well as a complete description of your business. The more complete your profile, the more it will help you drive business to your site.

Once you have completed your profile, then Google will give you a choice on how you verify your listing. You may either verify your listing over the phone or through the mail. This part usually takes about two weeks, but once it’s done, your listing goes live.

Whether you run your business online or offline, Google Local is an easy way to drive traffic to your business. You don’t need a website, and it will give your offline business a presence online.