Approximately 90% of consumers search for local businesses online. Google Places allows users a free, quick and easy way to inform millions of customers about your local business. Simply sign up for a free Google Places account, click “Add New Business,” verify your information and get started.
What sets Google Places apart from the other listing directories is the ability to customize your business listing. This can help you attract new customers while setting you apart from your competition. At no charge, your Place Page may include:
- Business Hours
- Live updates on daily, weekly, monthly specials
One of the best tools that Google has recently introduced to help boost local searches is the addition of Google Maps pinpointing local listings on the top of the search results page.
Many online business owners overlook local search marketing. This potentially risks losing share in their largest market. As with all 
The Internet has, in effect, flattened the world. Businesses now have the ability to produce products in one country, administer business in another and sell to yet a third. This has opened up a world of possibilities for even small businesses to advertise to a worldwide audience. In many instances, this exposure has led to positive change in sales. It has also led many businesses to ignore what used to be their bread and butter, local sales. However broad your campaign, it’s still important that you reach your local audience, especially in certain industries, like real estate, home services, legal, accounting, medical and retail. Local marketing is an often overlooked, but intensely valuable form of SEO (
Even Internet pros sometimes forget about the benefits that can be gained from utilizing local SEO techniques. The Internet is a big place and encompasses the entire globe while your business is likely located in just one small corner of the world. This is especially true if you have a “real world” business, brick and mortar and all. Instead of spending your marketing time and dollars marketing to the whole shebang, consider using a more targeted approach –