By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2010-09-14 05:50:26 | Word Count: 664
Google maps are one of the most effective marketing resources available to online business owners who are interested in implementing a successful SEO (Search Engine Optimization) program. This generation of Internet savvy users needs the Internet to do more than simply find resources. Now users find businesses, read product reviews and find directions to just name a few. An SEO professional’s job is to find new and effective methods to increase the visibility and reputation of an online entity. One highly used method is Google Map submission.
Google Maps, which is known under a variety of other names including Google Local and Google Places, is an application that provides simple web mapping technology to its user. These applications are intended for non-commercial use so they are always free. Several applications utilize this tool to provide maps. Many maps are also found embedded on third party sites. The application itself offers street maps, allowing for route planning via public transportation, automobile or foot.
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The feature that is most applicable to website owners in the process of local SEO is its urban business locator. This feature allows users to search for a particular business, product or service within a given geographical area. It effectively organizes information found on the Internet into geographical representations.
When considered as part of an internet marketing strategy, local SEO, including Google Map submission, is an effective method of increasing the visibility of a website or business to a targeted geographical demographic. In simpler terms, an effective business must offer a product or service that is in demand, and those seeking that product or service must be able to easily locate it. Google Maps facilitates online users in locating the product or service they want. Just consider businesses, trades and professions that actually don’t want to be found nationally or globally, but very much need to be found by those in close proximity i.e. doctors, lawyers, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, local retailers, repairmen of all kinds. Google Map Submission is an ideal addition to a well coordinated SEO strategy.
Google Maps offers a degree of customization for the end user. Search parameters can be easily adjusted to facilitate the search process. Website owners can expect to be re-indexed after submitting their site / relevant information to Google. By carefully monitoring the submission and focusing on appropriate keywords, it is possible to achieve top rankings on Google searches. The ability to rank high is a direct indicator of how successful a local SEO program has been. Moreover Google Map Submissions give the possibility of a total of 2-3 different listings on the page SERP. That’s visibility!
Additionally, with the growing popularity of smart phones such as the Android and Blackberry, Google Maps has developed applications for these specific phones, allowing mobile users to easily access the same information. This effectively taps into the mobile demographic, giving yet another layer of exposure to websites who have successfully implemented local SEO with a focus on Google Maps. This is a huge area of potentially explosive growth as mobile users with increasingly sophisticated apps will be able to take advantage of Google Local Submission by being visible just at the right time … within walking distance or a short drive.
The most successful SEO programs are careful to integrate local SEO into the plan. SEO experts agree that implementing local optimization efforts such as Google Map submission is an important process to effectively maximize local SEO results.
Contact us if you are looking to expand your reach and visibility. We can help. You can call us at 1-800-736-9618.
