Monterey Businesses and Google Maps

Hopefully you already have your free business listing in Google Maps. Did you know the features have been updated?  You may now

place your local business ad in Google Maps.  Before, the only option for a visitor was a link to your site; now you have many ways to interact with prospective clients or customers.

The new Google Maps features include:

  • A link to “Get Directions”
  • An option for the visitor to “Save to My Maps”
  • A “Street Viewif it exists

Upcoming features include a “Send” option, displaying your business information in an email or phone (huge!).  If you are advertising locally please pay attention to this.

You will also be able to measure ROI and compare your Maps ad with the regular Search ads.  Google will still have the regular free listing that links to you website as well.

There are many ways to advertise smart, and Google is helping here.  Searches for maps do indicate a different intention than regular searches and you want to be there.  What if someone was driving into town and clicked into Maps looking for…a restaurant, or lodging, or tickets to an event.

And they see what they want, click “send”, and call.  Hopefully they call you.

Another free business listing is with the Directory of Monterey;  the reason it is good is the addition of a blog with interactive features like videos. Blogs offer fresh content which is useful for visitors and liked by search engines.

If you have not added your business to Google’s free Business Listing, you should do it now; they allow pictures and even a video to be uploaded, and consumer reviews of your business are included.

Update November 2010

Google Maps is now Google Places; we have a complimentary tutorial on how to use it to grow your business.

Free Google Places Tutorial

Share This
Google Analytics Alternative
>