How Your Business Can Be Noticed on Google Maps

The value of advertising your business on the Internet has been rising, and it's certainly not going to decrease anytime soon. As a business owner, you have to allow yourself to be found by potential customers. Most customers are searching Google for products and services to invest in. Now, with a Google Places account, you can meet them there.

Google has risen to be the most popular search engine and biggest network on the Internet, claiming 67% of the market share. The competition isn't even close. Bing comes in second with 17% of the market share. Since Google almost owns the Internet, you'll need to make sure that your business can be found by it.

Google has released several online tools that can help users accomplish important everyday tasks. They've developed an online word processor, storage cloud, a website builder, a calendar, and plenty of other useful tools. Google Places has become a favorite tool used by the public. Google Places displays an online map that pinpoints any business that provides products or services that you search for along with its contact information. Try it out for yourself; go to google.com and search "Computer Repair 22182". Computerware should be highlighted by a red pin on the map with our information.

Internet advertising has become so commonplace that classic print advertising mediums like The Yellow Pages have suffered and become almost obsolete. It's no wonder why services like Google Places are pushing the old school out of business. Google Places is extremely easy to use, with applications available for any device that can access the internet, and it's free to set up for businesses! Here's how to set your business up to be found.

First, you'll have to head over to the Google Places signup page and login with your Google account information. If you don't have a Google account, you'll have to set one up for free to proceed. From here, you'll be guided through the quick and easy process of setting your business up with an account.

To help prevent fraudulent entries, Google will not post your information immediately. It will take a week or so for Google to review your information. They'll actually send a postcard to the address that you provided with information for you to verify by phone that you've received the card. After doing so, your business will finally be listed on Google Places.

Just because you have a Google Places account doesn't mean that you'll land in the top search results for customers who are trying to find your service. Now that you have an account set up, you'll want to optimize it for search results. With these quick and easy steps, your business can land near the top of the search results page almost every time.

• Link your account with your personal Google+ account. "+1" (aka follow) your business' account, and have all of your friends do the same.
• Be sure to list your address consistently across all of your internet listings. For example, don't list "West Ave" on Google Places and "W. Avenue" on your website.
• Ask your loyal customers to leave positive reviews on your new Google Places account.
• Upload your logo or a profile picture to your account.
• Don't try to be smart and leave fake reviews with phony accounts that you make up. Google will catch you, and it probably won't be awesome for your business account.

You've now entered the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) universe. Setting up a Google Places account is an excellent way to start listing your business on the Internet, but we encourage you to also take advantage of the other free online advertising outlets like Facebook, Foursquare, Yelp, Yahoo!, etc. The more energy you put into being found by an online search, the easier it is for people to find your business. If you feel lost, Computerware can help set up your business on Google Places, just give us a call at (703) 821-8200.