Google Map

[Capt_Tom]

I read a post the other day where someone stated that one of their sources of calls was Google Map. (1) How do you go about making yourself appear on their map?
(2) I see a lot of the other shops listings showing up in different map locations in the surrounding area and nearby towns. I know that they have only one shop. How do they make multiple listings.

Thanks Guys

[smooth]

Hi Tom.

I dont know if you had figured the answer to your posted question but I will attempt to explain in simple terms.

Google is a website that is programed to make the "best" search results. First, figure out what GOOGLE
"looks for" after a user types in the search box- then you create it.

For example, if you want to be in the top results for individuals searching for your website, not only you must have the WORDS or content that the "user" typed into the search box- GOOGLE will be looking for how many pages, visits and most importantly if your website is registered with GOOGLE through a GOOGLE ACCOUNT. Mine is a "gmail" account.

So, first you must make an ACCOUNT on GOOGLE. Most people have one already, but if you dont, you will see in the TOP RIGHT corner of GOOGLE's homepage where you can create your account.

After this, you must go to GOOGLE PLACES http://www.google.com/places and register your business, making sure to fill in ALL THE SPACES, providing as much information as you can, pictures are a plus to have.

When this is done, GOOGLE will search for a business listing that they "think" may be yours-verify this or ADD A NEW LISTING. This will take about 15 minutes or more of your time, some can get this done in under 10 minutes if they can type fast and know the information that needs to be inputted. Here is a good link that will help you get listed in the top search results for FREE!

I hope this helps.

http://geniusnetpreneurs.com/how-to-add-a-business-to-google-maps/

[liverladylocksmith]

smooth is spot on with this - it's an excellent way to drum up extremely local business very close to where you're based as people look for whoever is going to be closest using the map facility.

[easy-e]

I've also noticed that businesses with websites rank much higher than businesses without. If you don't already have a website, you might want to think about making a simple one.

If you can get a couple of people to post reviews about your business that would also help your rankings.

[liverladylocksmith]

very true easy-e - Many people like to browse a site briefly and it looks much more professional.

[Capt_Tom]

I had a big E-commerce site (landscape supplies) up until last year. I shut it down due to the economy. I have had it on my mind to start another site... just haven't done it. I need to get that fuse lit.

Thanks for the feedback Guys!

[liverladylocksmith]

There's a lot of providers out there that give you free small sites such as freewebstore.org etc. So it needn't cost a penny - Also I think google themselves offer something similar linked to their email accounts when you're a member - Good Luck

[shatar]

there are also some cheep hosting options that are usually less than like 5-6 dollars per month the advantage to these is most offer email and a "real" domain name say like example.com and and you could have an email like john@example.com. I have actually read that there are some purchasing agents will automatically put bids in the trash/dust bin if the bidders email ends in @gmail or @homail or some other email provider.
just something to think about.
but i may also not be impartial here because i have register firstnaelastname.com for personal email and mybusinessname.several for my business and blog.


--Shatar

[globallockytoo]

@shatar you can have your own domain and email addresses that use gmail as your email provider. In gmail you can have the option to use your gmail address or domain email address appear as the from address in sent mail.

smooth summed it up, spot on.

@easy-e that's how the illegitimate's took a foothold in the USA. They conned they Google system with multiple sites and fake reviews.

Ultimately, third party contracting sites that ask the customer for their review are best, because the reviews are all legitimate and checkable.

By all means follow smooths advice and you will get the ball rolling. Build yourself a website that has constant and never ending original content being contributed regularly. To rank on Google or just about any search engine, you can either pay for it with Adwords and other offerings or just write bloody good content and be able to be contacted.

[liverladylocksmith]

Some companies do a package which include google Adwords vouchers such as Mr Site - I've had a couple of these over the years.

[mccrindle]

A few years ago i got fed up of paying high yellow pages costs each year and decided i want to learn how to rank my own locksmith website number one on google and other search engines. I started off trying to get my google places page ranked number one and found out that by just having a normal organic listing on google got a lot more hits then the google places page so i would'nt worry about google places. The best thing for you to do is to have a website built and to start try and get some good quality links to it from other locksmith website or wholesalers you may use just start a blog and start posting good quality articles, people take them and give you a link to your site the amount of links you need depends on how competitive the keyword is your going after. It wont happen over night but when you get to number one on google and your making money that hasnt cost you anything it is worth it i now have around 15 locksmith website making me money. Good Luck