What is a Google Map?

Google Maps is a free (yes, free and we will be coming back to that later in the article) web mapping service and associated technology provided by Google which is the basis of several services including the Google Maps Website, Google Earth and the ability to embed customised maps onto websites via the Google API. The service provides high resolution satellite* images for most urban areas in the developed world.

*Google calls the images “satellite images” although most of the imagery is in fact aerial photography taken from high altitude aircraft.

What can Google Maps do for your business?

Google Maps in conjunction with Local Business Center provides access to a service that allows you to list your business details within Google’s database for free. On top of that you can pinpoint your business on a map that anyone in the world can access from a quick search within Google. When someone has searched for your services, found your business and then clicks on your marker on the map, they not only see your full details but can also get directions to you. On top of this your information gets stored on a central database that then shares the business information with other Google services such as Froogle, Google Earth, and Google Web search. As has already been mentioned this service is completely free (with no catches!) and is just waiting for you to take it up.

Too good an opportunity to pass up? Well yes, actually it is!

So how do I get a Google Local Business Center listing for my business?

1. Go to the Google Local Business Center - www.google.com/local/add/ (if you have not already got a Google Account you will need to sign up).
2. Enter your business contact details including: name, address, city, state, country and zip/postal code.
3. Hit continue and then enter your phone, fax, mobile numbers and then email and website address.
4. Hit continue and then you will be prompted to enter a description of your business, forms of payment your business accepts and your opening hours. You will also be prompted to enter up to 5 categories which describe your business.
5. Select a verification method. This is usually either a phone call (automated) or a post card in the regular mail. You will be supplied with a PIN number and verification details according to which option you choose to use.
6. Once verified you will be able to edit your listing or create another.

Your business will now be visible on maps listed on certain geographical searches i.e. ‘Website Designer Bridgnorth’ brings up my normal organic listing plus my Local Business Center listing on a local map of Bridgnorth, Shropshire, UK (see below).

How do I use a Google Map on my website?

So long as your website is free for people to use and is not a paid-for service you can use a Google Map to display the whereabouts of your business. The simplest way to use a Google map on your website is detailed below.

1. Log in to your Google account and browse to www.maps.google.com.
2. Click on ‘My Maps’ and then ‘Create new map’.
3. Fill in the title and the description and choose whether you want this map to be unlisted or public (searchable within Google maps).
4. Edit the map until it shows the area you wish to show on your website and place any markers or information on the map by dragging the icons from the top right of the map to any position of your choice.
5. When you are happy with your map click ‘Save’, the click ‘Link’ (top right of map) and copy the code within the ‘Paste HTML to embed in website’ box.
6. Paste this code within the HTML of your website where you wish your map to be shown.

This is the most fundamental use of a Google map and there are many more interesting ways of using the Google Maps API to produce maps with varying degrees of interactivity and functionality. If you wish to use Google Maps API to produce something a bit more unique please see http://code.google.com/apis/maps/.

Advertising using Google maps

Although it isn’t free, this service presents an opportunity to use Google maps in conjunction with your AdWords campaign. If you already use AdWords you can start using Map ads right away. It works in two ways, with normal text ads - whereby your ad shows in the 3 paid ads on an organic Map search result or local business ads where your business shows as a special marker on the map. For more information see http://adwords.google.com/select/LocalAdsHomepage.