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Do you want to advertise the physical location of your business for free and get a little extra Google exposure? Thanks to Google Maps this is possible and not many people (read 'your competition') seem to know about it.
Why Should You Bother With Google Maps?
If simply getting more exposure on an emerging Google tool isn't enough here are the frills that Google provides freely with this map listing:
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Google allows you to offer coupons to visitors of your map listing. These coupons are touted as a way to "reward loyal customers and attract new ones". At this time, coupons are only available to businesses located in the US.
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Once your address is fully verified you have full control over your listing. You can add or delete non-address information at will.
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You can add all of your business locations from a single account.
Finally my personal favorite; all that your client or prospective client has to do to find your office is click on a link on your website and voila, they are taken to an accurate road map with directions. They can even click a button and see the satellite view of your location; very slick indeed!
Do it Yourself
Here is the process for you to get your site added to Google Maps.
Step 1: Add Your Business
Visit Google Local's "Add/Edit Your Business" page. There you will be asked to enter your Google account login and password (or you can quickly create one) before entering the submission area. Once in, you need to provide standard business address and contact information, a 200-character description of your business, the forms of payment you accept from consumers and your operating hours.Step 2: Choose a Category
Next you will be asked to provide a category that best describes your business. You can enter a phrase here and Google will try to find a related category to make this process simpler for you. You have the option to appear in up to 5 separate categories.Step 3: Preview and Select Verification Method
Your business listing along with a proof of your business's mapped location is shown for your approval. Here you can make any necessary final tweaks to your listing. After that, you have to choose which verification method that Google will use to confirm your address; do you want Google to call you or receive a postcard to confirm your address? I chose the postcard because frankly, I love the idea of getting personal mail from Google and it seems like a far more effective way to confirm an address.Step 4: Verify
Follow the instructions provided to you by either the postcard or the phone and your listing will be active within 6 weeks.
So get your company on Google Maps, it is free after all. Moreover, remember that Google's history states that anything they add advertising to will ultimately get more exposure.