Local Search Marketing drives ready-to-buy customers to a brick-and-mortar retail store. Listing your store on Google Maps Business Listings is a targeted way to attract regional customers very cost effectively … it’s free. And, Maps listings just got an upgrade, also free.

Here is a Guest Blog from Dale Knauss, producer of the Online Marketing Internet Radio Show RSS.Ray.com. Dale highlights new interactive features in Google Maps Business Listings. Below Dale’s post, we’ve listed Resources and Links to get your local business on the map for free. –Editor, TopTenWholesale Blog

Drive Local Traffic to Your Brick and Mortar Store for Free!
Dale Knauss, Show Producer
RSS Ray.com Online Marketing Internet Radio Show

We all know that the ability to attract visitors to your physical storefront is a vital part of making your business profitable. Since 2006, savvy marketers have been using the power of Google local business ads (see links below) to attract customers into their stores. Last week, Google announced a massive change to the Local Business system which provides far greater options for companies looking to entice people in their local markets.

When a Google user types a query into Google Maps, they are automatically shown a list of businesses which relate to that search, plus their location on the map. For instance, if you were to type in “Subs in VA,” you would get a list of submarine sandwich businesses around the Virginia area. For business owners, this is a great way to cheaply drive targeted local traffic into the store.

Previously, only your street address and web site information was given for a site; but thanks to Google’s Update announced in mid-January, a maps search for subs will now allow me the option to:

· Get directions to the store
· Search nearby locations
· Save the address to My Maps
· Send the address to my email or cell phone
· Get a street view (only in select locations)

Google also announced that it will soon offer a Reports and Tracking feature — the option for advertisers to track how users interacted with their Google Maps results. This interactive reporting feature would allow you to test and optimize listings to your heart’s content.

Google Local Business Ads are a great way to get your business some extra foot traffic; and with free local listings, the price is right!

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Resources & Links for Google Maps Business Listings:

1. Do a Google Maps search. The Google Maps top page lists
“Browse Popular Maps” … in late January 2009 these most popular searches were:

· The Inauguration from the Sky
· Follow the Sundance Film Festival
· See more maps

2. To review news, info and tips on using AdWords (Google’s online search advertising network), see Inside AdWords Google’s Official Blog.

Scan a recent post to the Inside AdWords blog that details the new features and upgrade to Google Maps business listings at New Features for Your Local Business .

3. To put your business on Google Maps:

· See Add Local Business at Google Maps