Using Google Local Business Center to Bring in New Customers
	By Kevin Fleming | February 19, 2008

E-Commerce is becoming more popular every day however some service businesses (restaurants are a great example) are unable to really utilized an online store. Businesses that can’t sell directly online can still grow tremendously through the internet. With these businesses the internet can be used as a promotional tool and lead generator that can direct new customers to the businesses physical location.

This is Where Google Local Business Center Comes In..

With the Google Local Business Center you can create a listing for your business similar to one you would have in a phone book. However this listing is then tied into Google Search and Maps, so when someone searches for businesses in your area, your listing appears with your address and location on the map. Below you can see a business that I added to the directory and the listing that comes up when you search for that business.

One thing I really like about Google Local Business listings is you can then use this to increase your E-Commerce sales as well (if you have an online store) by providing a link to your website. So in essence you can kill two birds with one stone.

Google Local Business Center works especially well with restaurants and here is why. When people search in Google for “Pizza Philadelphia PA” or “Chinese Food Los Angeles CA” assuming you rank well in the directory your business will come up before any of the search results and it will even show those people your exact location and phone number.

Setting up a Listing in the Google Local Business Center is actually really easy and only takes a few minutes. In your listing you can provide your address, store hours, methods of payment accepted, a link to your website, and even store photos. You will need to validate your business with Google for your listing to be added. Below is what the listing control interface looks like.

Once your business is added to the directory it will start appearing in the search results. Customers with a Google account are able to add reviews and provide a rating which can act like testimonials and send you even more business (assuming the reviews are good).

With more and more people using Google Maps on their cell phones and just in general I believe that this will continue to be a valuable promotional tool for brick and mortar businesses. I have really only found one problem with Google Local Business Center and it doesn’t effect all business owners. If you have a common type of business in a popular area you may not get the exposer that people with more niche businesses will get.

Overall this is a great free way to promote your business.

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