Google is king of search, so when there is something as powerful as Google Maps (aka Google Local) it makes sense that not only do you want your local business listing to be in there, you want it to be optimized properly so it is most effective in getting traffic to your site.

Your listing in Google Maps (Google Local) is free. That’s right — it’s free. Google doesn’t charge you a dime. And setting up your listing correctly, so it brings you the most traffic, while tricky, is something we can do for you.

Recent client stats on Google Maps (last 30 days) — and remember, the clients paid zero for these clicks to their sites:

Client A:    3,041 impressions (views); 141 actions taken; 126 clicks to the client website.

Client B:    1,901 impressions; 140 actions; 93 clicks to client website.

Client C:    1,251 impressions; 75 actions; 53 clicks to client website.

(”actions” also include clicks for “directions” and clicks for “more info” on Google Maps).

Source: Google Local Business Center, 9/2/09.

Remember, these clicks are local potential customers — since they are searching on Google Local, it’s automatic that they are in your local area.

Is your website optimized for Google Local Maps?

(If it isn’t, contact us).

Do these 3 things to get your business found 3 different ways on search engines:

1. Get a website.  Don’t believe any company that tells you you don’t need a website. You do. It’s the basic building block of your online presence. A website is far more than just the equivalent of a listing at some place like Merchant Circle, or Yelp, or whatever. A website allows you to fully control your message to your prospective customer. It allows you to spell out in detail what your product or service is, and how it is better than the competition. You can include any features you want on your site: text, images, forms, audio, video, games, news, RSS feeds, FAQ’s, etc, etc. The secret sauce — a large asset like a website gives you a multitude of ways to get found in the search engines. A multitude. Because today (who knows where it may be in the future) content is still king when it comes to SEO and search engine ranking success. If you don’t have a website, you need to get one. And you need it done right.

2. Build your online presence out from your website. Imagine your website is the central hub of your internet marketing. You build out from there, making sure to cross link, interlink, and cross-reference all your online properties. What do I mean? For example, add a Twitter account. On your Twitter page, you provide a link back to your website. From your website, you link to your Twitter page. Keep your Twitter page updated — remember, content is king. And Tweets, even at 140 characters, are real content.

Then add a Facebook page. As a business, you can set up a special Facebook page called — well, it’s just called a Facebook Page. But it’s intended specifically for small businesses. And guess what? If you build your Facebook page properly from step one (ie before you even name the page) it can often get found as a stand-alone result in the search engines! Imagine that. You might own a landscaping business in Hometown, Ohio. And when potential customers search for “Landscaping Services, Hometown, Ohio” your business could actually have the #1 and #2 results on the search page: one result for your site, one for your Facebook page (which of course, links back to your site).

3. Do you blog? If not, then it is time to do so, if you are serious about getting your business found on the internet. Remember, content is king. And if content is king, blogging creates fresh content, the kind that those greedy search engines like the best. And here is where you can get your third listing, simultaneously, in the search engines. Again, the searched phrase is “Landscaping Services, Hometown, Ohio.” Only this time, you get the top 3 results for your business! #1 for your website, # 2 for your Facebook page, and # 3 for your latest, cutting edge (ouch) post on lawn care in Hometown, Ohio. Even if you don’t get the top 3 spots, you may well get 3 spots on the first page, or 3 out of 10. With results like that, a searcher is almost certain to click through to your site, and start reading about how your company is the best one to provide the service they need.

Think about search engines as hungry monsters. The content you create on the internet is fodder for the search engine monster. Feed it what it likes to eat, feed it frequently, and it will love you back.