Google Business Listing | How to get your business on Google Maps
What originally started out as another mapping and navigation tool, has gone on to change the game. Google Maps allows you enter your location your destination, then presents you with the directions to get there. Going one step further is Google Business Listings, which extends the maps function with business listings. This provides a great way for consumers to find potential business suppliers locally.
Google Maps are becoming increasingly visible in Search, and if your business is not listed on Google maps, you are missing out on thousands of very targeted search engine queries. Google maps listings are displayed in two places:
Goggle Maps business listings are displayed through the search function on maps.google.com.au. When you search for a business type, and local area, you are greeted with the results displayed on a map of that area, which immediately shows you where, in relation to where you are, the business is located.
The latest, and most prominent place that Google Maps Business listings are increasingly appearing is directly in the search results. Do a search for any of your favourite or most used business, along with a geographic area, such as 'Melbourne Florist', and at the top of the results you will now see a map.
The map displays the business location, lists up to 10 relevant business, and proves a direct phone number and URL Submitting a listing is easy, log into the Google Business Centre, click 'Add a New Listing' and enter in your business details. After entering these details, its simply a matter of verifying the listing (Mail, SMS or Phone), and your listing will be appearing in a few hours.
If you have not listed your business yet, or have not listed all your business locations, do it soon. Google Maps is quickly overtaking the Yellow Pages are the best online business directory. Stay tuned next week for a video guide to Optimising your listing
James Richardson
Co-Founder
James is Co-Founder of Optimising who’s worked with everyone from national retailers and franchise groups to fast-growing eCommerce brands. He’s as interested in how AI engines send traffic as he is in old-fashioned rankings, and spends a lot of time testing how brands show up across search.
He started out running sports fan sites and early eCommerce stores, picked up a few senior sales and marketing roles at ASX-listed companies, then decided to build the kind of SEO agency he actually wanted to work at. Outside work, James is usually being out-negotiated by his three daughters, hosting very serious pretend tea parties, or supervising yet another cubby house build in the lounge room.
