Google Maps controlled by Google places

(formerly Google Local) is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free, that powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and maps embedded on third-party websites via the Google Maps API. It offers street maps, a route planner for traveling by foot, car, or public transport and an urban business locator for numerous countries around the world. According to one of its creators , Google Maps is “a way of organizing the world’s information geographically”.

• What one can use to find a location or a business
• May be accessed also through the Google search bar
• Shows local businesses especially when the city or locality is indicated
• Features 1-7 business next to the map of the locality called packs or boxes (7 pack)

Importance of Optimizing Google Maps

• To be part of the featured businesses next to the map, and NOT grouped together with other businesses in the other results portion
• Those listed in the first few bars get clicked on more often than the others down below
• Those listed along with the more results group get drowned out among the other competitors

Optimizing Google Maps

You have to stand out among the rest of the competitors, to emerge on top of the list and to catch the potential clients’ attention

How? An image can help stand out, among other things

Statistics

• Over 60% of North Americans do local search
  • online for businesses
• 80% of these follow up on in store visits, phone calls and purchases
• 80% of retail transactions take place within 15 mile radius
• 32% People are using smartphones for local search
• Local searches grew from 40% in 2007 to 50% in 2009

Google Maps and Local Modifier

• Searching Google Maps with a Local Modifier – eg San Francisco makes the content 100% local.  It shows all of the listed businesses in the said area
• As a business owner, you want to get ahead of this traffic by emerging on top.
• Use keyword research with local modifiers
• Google wants to serve the most relevant search results, to get users to always come back, and in turn get more advertisers
• Paticipate in ways to improve chances at getting a better position in the ranking

For dutch people find an explanation about google place / mijn zaak