If you have not heard or used Google maps yet, let me tell you, it is a lot of fun! You can zoom in and out of locations and privacy issues have been questioned. But its still a useful tool and has many uses apart from the obvious.

With the popularity of mobile browsing, having your business listed in Google Local/Maps has its advantages. Businesses that have a local brick and mortar business benefits from being listed here.

Did you know that a local business listed in Google Maps comes up in search results if a user searches for a business in that particular location? In other words, you do not need a website to appear in Google search results locally, if you are registered this way.

What are the chances of a customer typing in "pizza, Richmond" in the Google search box? Very high. Or "dentist, melbourne"? High again.

So what is required for you to list your business in Google Local?

Just a gmail account.

Log in to the account, fill in details like your business name, street address, location, country, phone number, email id, website and a brief description. You can even upload upto 10 images.

Coupons: In addition to having your business' physical location listed, you can add coupons with the listing. These coupon ids show besides the listing and customers can print it out and bring it when they visit your store. Just add a few lines of text with an expiration code and you are in business!

Google Adwords: Next step, you have listed your business locally, so how do you let your potential customers know? Get an account and put in your credit card details and you are in. The advantage of Adwords is that you can control your budget, decide when you want your ads to run (you can set the time of day, week when the ads should run), set the position of the ad and target a specific location.
So if you cater only to local businesses, you can use it in your headline, so the ad shows when users type in a specific location/region.

Google Base: This is for businesses that have more than one business location. The information can be uploaded with just the basics like the business name, location and phone number. All the products, services or information that you are selling, can be uploaded for search. The information that you are uploading do not have to be in web form, it can be online or offline content. Popular items include events and activities, products, services, jobs, vacation rentals, housing, company profiles and personals.
For businesses that do not have a website, here is the good news, Google will host the content for free on a unique web address.

Google Checkout: With nearly 64% of internet searches happening with Google, this is a convenient way to have a streamlined process in place. The advantage of using Google checkout is that it is free, secure and customers need only one account that they can use to buy the product or service. Using this method, the business is issued a badge that they can display with the Adwords advertisement and is been know to increase conversions.

It can also be used any marketplace, including Ebay. The cost of using this is currently free.

With all the features provided by Google, online shoppers can experience a seamless experience. It is a great way to start your business in the online space, especially if your business does not have a website. If done right, it can increase your business' reach and expand your customer base.

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