Google maps - anyone using them?

[Michelle Carvill]

hi there
looking for some insight into using Google maps - anyone using them, with any feedback to report. Does it help seo?

 

[Delta-SI]

I use Google Maps as mapping software and find it ace for that, I don't know about all that SEO stuff, I have no website. It's a toss up between Google Earth and Flash Earth for me, if I am in the office I use Flash Earth but on my laptop and mobile I have Google Maps.

 

[whitegoatie]

I am listed on google maps. I couldnt see a reason not to list, its free and can help raise your profile on local searches.

 

[Michelle Carvill]

I am listed on google maps. I couldnt see a reason not to list, its free and can help raise your profile on local searches.

Hi
so how does that work exactly. If I search on say, designers in EC1V - if a design company in that location has registered with Google maps they will come up in the regular search. Sorry if this sounds daft, but not sure how Google maps work - and if I type it into Google, there's no explanation?

 

[whitegoatie]

Are you saying you want to be listed on google maps, or are searching for a service?

 

[Michelle Carvill]

Are you saying you want to be listed on google maps, or are searching for a service?

Well - initially, I was investigating as a client of mine has a number of businesses and wants to ensure that all of them are posted with google maps because as I understand it there are some SEO benefits? But I may be wrong on that. And then I thought - hmmm - may as well list my business too...

The question as to how does it help one to be found is the key...

 

[whitegoatie]

If I google search for my services, in my town, google maps usually appears, near the top of the first page. My business is listed by the map, with a link to my website.

 

[nass]

What you're asking about is a Google Business Listing - they're the entries on Google maps. Yes, they're helpful - you get them through Goole webmaster tools if I remember rightly (someone may want to correct me on this it's been a while)

 

[Michelle Carvill]

What you're asking about is a Google Business Listing - they're the entries on Google maps. Yes, they're helpful - you get them through Goole webmaster tools if I remember rightly (someone may want to correct me on this it's been a while)

Aha - the idea that a business comes up listed by simply including their location on google maps seems too simple! It this right - or do I need the webmaster resources. Perhaps I should test it out!

 

[whitegoatie]

Click on business solutions on the google search page. You will have to create an account, its all very straight forward.

 

[Officebird]

When I enter Secretarial Services in Darlington into Google (co.uk) on my laptop all I can see are the sponsored listings, the map (with me on it) and then me as the first organic result.

If I wasn't on the map and the person searching had a smaller screen they wouldn't even see me, even with being No:1, unless they scrolled down of course

According to Google it has had 55 impressions in the last 30 days. Not bad imo.

Also if you go to google maps directly and put in my business name it shows exactly where I am with a link to my site etc.You don't even have to put in a county or town.

I think all the time Google maps display before organic listings it would be silly not be on them.

Go for it - whats the worst that could happen

 

[fisicx]

Officebird said: Acccording to Google it has had 55 impressions in the last 30 days. Not bad imo.

But how many people clicked on your link? You could have a 1000 impressions per day but if no one visits then the exercise was pointless.

The aim of your site should be to generate new business. If google maps helps to do this then that's great but if you are targetting the wrong keywords then it means someone else is making money and you aren't.

 

[Officebird]

Officebird said: Acccording to Google it has had 55 impressions in the last 30 days. Not bad imo.

But how many people clicked on your link? You could have a 1000 impressions per day but if no one visits then the exercise was pointless.

The aim of your site should be to generate new business. If google maps helps to do this then that's great but if you are targetting the wrong keywords then it means someone else is making money and you aren't.

This is true Fisicix. You can tell I'm no SEO expert can't you I've got the keywords I think I should have in there but if I show up on a map that surely means someone has put Darlington into the search box, so my logo milling around can't do any harm even if they aren't looking for my services at that time. I think maybe I should ask my IT guru to check my keywords though as noone has clicked on the link

One thing I have noticed is that sometimes the map comes up and sometimes it doesn't. Do you know why that is?

 

[fisicx]

This is true Fisicix. You can tell I'm no SEO expert can't you I've got the keywords I think I should have in there but if I show up on a map that surely means someone has put Darlington into the search box, so my logo milling around can't do any harm even if they aren't looking for my services at that time. I think maybe I should ask my IT guru to check my keywords though as noone has clicked on the link

One thing I have noticed is that sometimes the map comes up and sometimes it doesn't. Do you know why that is?

But supposed they were searching for 'darlington office services' or 'darlington secretarial companies' - you don't appear for those keywords. The best way to use google maps or adsense is to keep as wide a spread of keywords as possible. Run lots of different campaigns and drop those that aren't successful.

Don't know why google doesn't always show the maps, maybe you have your preferences set up differently on different machines.

As an aside, the reason you don't show up in the organic searches is because you don't have the words 'darlington secretarial services' in your page titles!

 

[Officebird]

Hmm. I think I'm going to have a fun day trying to play around with this!!

Thanks Fiscix

 

[*Lexxy*]

how are the rankings/places (A,B,C etc) decided on these maps?

our listing is now showing at D & B on different searches, just wondered how we'd got above other longer established listings?