Since April 2009 Google has been serving local listings in its search engine results pages. Although the layout has changed a bit and the number of business listings it provides has varied, what has remained consistent is a local Google map and listing of local businesses that are relevant to the keywords entered by the individual searching on Google.For local small businesses this has been a tremendous boost when it comes to competing with large national franchises since it gives precedent to the small business in local markets. And the price is right, too! Google provides a business listing to small businesses for absolutely no charge. However it is important that the small business know a few key points so that it leverages its business listing to the fullest.Choosing the right categories for your Google business listingOne of the most important factors to a successful business listing is choosing the right categories for which your business appears in the local search results. To date, Google allows businesses to choose five (5) categories. One of the categories must be a current Google category, and the other four (4) can be categories that you choose for your listing.The categories typically correspond to keyword phrases that an individual searching for your type of business would enter as a search term. For instance, if you are a plumber, typical keywords that someone searching for your business might use would be “plumber” or “plumbing.” To determine the existing Google category all you need to do is start typing the keyword in the Category section of the Google Business Listing (called Google Places) and Google will automatically suggest keyword terms that are relevant to your business. Just pick the one that suits your business best. That satisfies their requirement for using one of their existing categories. Now the other four (4) are up to you…and it’s important that you get this right as it can mean the difference between receiving multiple leads for your small business…or none at all.Choose Popular Keywords as CategoriesAs mentioned before, you want to use keywords and keyword phrases as your categories, but which ones do you choose? You’ll want to choose the ones that people search for the most, of course. Those most popular keywords will put your business in front of the most prospective customers and give your business the most visibility. And, guess what? Good ‘ol Google helps you with that, too. Just go to the Google AdWords Keyword Tool, enter a keyword in the “Word or phrase” box that describes your business, enter the letters displayed by the “captcha” security code and hit the “Search” button to get the list of keywords Google suggests. Pick the keywords with the most monthly searches that are also relevant to your business.But don’t stop there…Unfortunately for many (but fortunate for you), many businesses pick the four most popular keywords that are relevant to their business from the Google Keyword Tool, use those as their remaining categories and stop there…but that’s where they make a critical mistake because not all of those keywords result in a local search.Now this is a very important point so let’s be very clear. The key to identifying optimum categories is to make sure that the keywords that you pick are popular plus they must also produce a local search, too. Let’s look at an example -Let’s say you are a piano teacher, and you use the Google Keyword Tool to find the most popular keywords associated with your business. Google suggests the following keywords as popular keywords – “piano lessons”, “play piano,” “lessons piano,” and “how to play piano.” That sounds reasonable enough, but it isn’t until you check Google Search that you find some very important information. Only two of the keyword phrases produce a local search – “lessons piano” and “piano lessons.” The other two keyword phrases do not. Interesting!Keyword Lessons LearnedSo the lesson to be learned to get the most visibility for your local business is to choose popular keywords that are relevant to your business but also make sure that those keywords deliver local search results. If they don’t, you are wasting opportunities for your business listing to be shown and not fully utilizing the the visibility that Google wants to give you and your local business.

Did you know there’s a FREE listing on Google for your business, and it’s just waiting for you? Have you claimed it yet?It’s called Google Places and it’s a fast and easy way to build your online presence, even if you don’t have a website!With Google business maps -1. Reach millions of Google users, quickly and for free – More people search for businesses online than anywhere else, so it’s important to make sure your business listing can be easily found on Google Business Maps. Creating a listing is easy, takes just a few minutes and it doesn’t cost a thing!2. Easy to edit – Your business may already show up on Google, but you will need to claim it and make sure the details are correct. Any changes you make will appear on Google as soon as you complete the verification process.3. Practical and easy to manage – Your Google Business Maps listing is an easy way to maintain an online presence even if you don’t have a website. Visit Google Places anytime to edit your information and to see how many people have seen and clicked on your listing.4. Add photos, videos and other custom options, all for free – Make your listing really shine with photos, videos, custom categories, your service area, brand name products you sell, how to find parking; and coupons to encourage customers to make a first-time or repeat purchase.Signing up for Google Places is simple. I’ve listed the steps below to create (or claim) your FREE Google Business Maps listing for your interior design business.1. Get a Google Account – If you don’t have one, go to Google.com or Gmail.com and set up an account. It’s a good idea to create a new Gmail account just for this. That way you won’t mind sharing it with others or passing it along, in case you wish to transfer ownership of your listings at a later date.2. Local.Google.com – On the left side of the screen, look for “Put your business on Google Maps.” Click there.3. Google Accounts – Look for the link that says “Google Places”. Click there and you’ll see a page that looks like this:4. Fill in the Blanks – Add your business information and click continue.5. Claim or Create – If you see your business listed there, Google will offer you a chance to claim the existing listing. If you see one that looks like it could be yours, but there are errors, go ahead and choose it. You can fix the errors. If you don’t see your business listed, follow the rest of the instructions to create a new listing.6. Main Form – Complete the rest of the form and click Submit.7. Verify – Google asks you to verify your submission by phone or postcard. They want to be sure that only the right people are able to change any public data about your business. I recommend the phone call option – it’s fast and easy. Either way, you’ll receive a 4 digit code that you will have to enter into the appropriate box on the page.8. Success – You are now done claiming your listing!9. Customize – Be sure to add in photos, videos and descriptions to fill out your listing fully. If you don’t have them handy you can always go back to add them later.Claiming your Google business maps listing is an extraordinarily important factor in determining how you show up in Google, especially when competing with other interior designers in your area.

Did you know that the latest research shows that as much as 97% of consumers use the internet to research products in their local area and according to Google the worlds largest search engine says that around 73% of all internet activity is based around local content.This is fantastic news for local businesses who want to grow their business by attracting pre qualified, laser targeted leads and customers, and what’s even better is that Google has made it easier than ever for a local business to list their business in Google, even if you don’t have a website.How To Add Your Business To GoogleTo create a business listing in Google is easy as filling in the blanks. Simply go to Google and perform a search for “Google Places”. Click on the first result, you will then be asked to login using your existing Google account (if you have one) or simply create one, again it is free and only take about 40 seconds to complete.When adding your business to Google make sure to fill in as much information about your business as you can. Make sure to upload photos of your logo, products, staff members, or shop front, anything that will help your customers identify with your company/business.You will also have to verify your Google Business Listing either by phone or they will send you a postcard in the mail with a code you need to enter to verify you are the owner of the business. I recommend verifying your Listing by telephone as you can do it instantly; postcards can take up to 3 weeks to arrive.Google Business Listing – Creating an Offer/CouponWhen you add your business to Google they also allow you to create a coupons or special offer for customers who visit your Google Places business listing. This is a great way to track and incentivise customers.Add Business To Google – Advanced TipsLike any proven marketing strategy there will always be competition and Google Places is no different. Sure some markets or industries are more competitive than others however if you are looking to get that extra boost and move your Google Places listing up to the top then you will need to implement some or all of the tactics in this section.1. Create Other Business Listings – There are hundreds of local online business directories that operate in your city, state and/or country. These business directories also allow you to create a business profile just like Google Places, some are free and some are paid. It is highly recommended you create as many of these as possible as Google will use this information to help with your Google Places listing. – Important: make sure all information is the same, business name, phone number, address, etc2. Get Reviews – This applies to both your Google Places business listing and any additional business directory listings you create, again these help Google improve the performance of your Google Places profile. Important: it takes a minimum of 5 reviews to get a star rating in Google PlacesGoogle Places business listings are a proven and one of the most cost effective ways for local business owners attack more customers and generate more leads. You can download a free guide to Google Business Listing here.