The bottom line? Google is mapping the planet one place at a time and providing it for us in Place Pages. The information gathered in different ways, is enhanced, in typical Google fashion, by users around the globe making it more human, more useful. Can SMBs benefit? A Google SVP recently spoke about Maps and noted: “Everything is finally in place to enable small businesses to connect with customers online”.
These technologies and the competitive implications of Google’s moves to map everything including local businesses means that if you are not using the internet to YOUR business' full advantage today, you are simply missing out.
FREE ADVICE if you haven't claimed your Google local business listing already: watch this two minute video brought to you by Google to learn how. IT IS FREE!
Today in the US alone, there are almost 1billion searches with local intent from consumers which are ready to buy a product or service. Searches are getting longer, more granular. Down to the city or zip code, niche service, brand, model, or whatever your company sells.
Furthermore, geospatial information is the building block for the whole next generation of user experience from smart phones to virtual reality. More reason to do something now if you want to take advantage of emerging opportunities. It is not when you are going to do something for your business to BE FOUND...it is a matter of when.
We believe your business is #1 and businesslocallistings.com is 100% effective in getting it there. Visit our FAQs tab and I will show you how to get your local listing to the #1 spot. Our pricing (see Packages tab) is yet another reason why your business local listing can't wait.
Call me for a free consultation about how to make your business local listing #1...especially when a user queries for that specific brand you carry or any product or service you offer.
Increase visibility. Increase sales.
Get your SMB on the map today!
Michael Alfonso
Business Local Listings - South Florida
954-600-4066
web: www.businesslocallistings.com
email: malfonso@businesslocallistings.com
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Google's Lucky 7-Pack
Going through local searches late last week, I noticed that the Google Map looked a little different. As I looked closer, I noticed that the map only had 7 spots on it as opposed to the usual 10.
However, my cousin was getting married on Friday, and, what with matrimonial festivities and all, I wasn't able to investigate it closer until Sunday and today.
What I've discovered is this. Yes, it appears that Google is moving to a smaller 7-pack map. The speculation is that they're doing this to make room for Local Listings Ads, a new type of advertising that Google recently rolled out in beta testing in California. Basically the ad allows businesses to buy a spot on the map and mark it with a blue marker!
I actually like the new look of the map. It's more compact and easier to read, we'll see how it integrates with Local Listings Ads once they make them available worldwide.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
New Google Map / Local Listing Design
I'm in Google Maps every day as a part of my job promoting the hell out of Local Search and I came across an interesting change in Google Maps. When you click on "more info" from Google Maps, but not yet from the Google 10-pack, you get a different, more expanded version of the Local Listing. That's a screenshot of my own listing there on the right.
Highlights include:
- Visible Business categories
- Distance to the nearest major intersection
- Nearby bus stops! (They obviously don't know Tampa! Who uses the bus?)
- Full business description and a sample review
- Google Map of the location and a picture of the business from the street
- Expanded versions of tabs that you used to have to expand in the old style of listing including Details, Photos & Videos, Reviews, Web Pages, and User Content
I really like the new layout, let's see if they roll it out to all the local listings, or if it stays strictly on Google Maps.
Update: So I just found an article, and posted a link, identifying these as Google Place Pages. The official blog states that one exists for every spot on the map!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)