Google has launched Google Maps in Australia and it has some great features. In America there have been features like local business search and local directions since Maps was first launched, but Australia never had these features. We could look at the map and the satellite images but that was about as exciting as it ever got. Now the American's have "Street View" in selected cities where you can virtually walk around the streets and look at things up close at eye level.
The new Australia Map Search has more detailed satellite images, driving directions and business listings.
Google is now the new Whereis and Yellow Pages.
Here is a search for web design in Geelong.
The results page bring up a map of Geelong with markers on the Geelong web design studios. Some of the information listed includes:
- Websites, street addresses, phone numbers
- Related businesses in the area
- Driving directions to get there
- Related contextual ads for "web design"
- Links to related categories to focus your search
You might have noticed that Thrive Web Marketing is one of the results, but how did we get there and why do we care? I'm going to tell you below, but if you already know that this is important and want to work with experts to promote your business online contact us for more information. Getting listed at Google and Yahoo Maps is really only the beginning.
80% of Australian web users use Google as their preferred search engine. Yahoo and MSN share the remaining 20%. When a person goes to Google they are trying to find something (unlike generic "push" advertising which isn't very targeted) if they are looking for a Geelong web designer I want them to come here!
How to help your customers find you in Google and Yahoo Maps?
Both Yahoo Local and Google Local listings in Australia currently come from the TrueLocal database, so if you sign up for a listing there (they do have free as well as paid listings) you will appear in the search results.
Why is it important to be listed on these pages?
When you are searching for a pizza shop you want a local one, not Pizzeria Ristorante Agnello in Milano, Italy (although I'm sure they're nice too). In the future as the search engines learn more about you through personalised search you will start to see more and more local listings. If you have a business and you are not listed you are going to be missing out on more local customers. When the Apple iPhone was announced a Google Maps tool was shown off which makes it really simple to get this map data from wherever you are when you use your phone. To say the least it's very cool.
Search engines can send your website an enormous amount of totally free traffic, but only if you give them the right information about your site. Through good search engine optimisation you can tell them about your website, but to be listed in local search you need to let them know where your business is.
Do you own an Australian business? Is your business easy to find in search engines, the new mapping services, and at social marketing sites? If your answer isn't a big YES! then you better give us a call now and work with experts to promote your business locally online.