Google Local Listings display business listings in Google Maps search results. The document discusses three important aspects of optimizing a Google Local Listing: 1) How to submit a listing by claiming an existing listing or creating a new one in the Google Local Listings Center, 2) How to optimize a listing by filling it with complete business information, photos, videos and linking it from other sites, and 3) How to track traffic from a listing by accessing analytics in the Google Local Listings Center Dashboard.

1. Google Local Listing
Google Local Listings can be defined as the business listings in the map that you usually see
at the top or at the middle of Goggles first page results. These listings tend to show up when
you search for a keyword accompanied by a specific city, i.e. Toronto Lawyers. As a result,
these local search results are different from the organic results and sponsored. In this article
I’ll explain the three most important aspects you simply can’t ignore when putting up your
Google local listings.
1. How to submit
2. How to optimize
3. How to track
How to submit
The process of submitting your listing is very straight forward and its been
explained before, however, hers another quick review: You have to open an account in
the Google Local Listing Center and fill out the information needed. If your business is
already listed and you don’t have access to it, claim it and verify it. This provides authority to
your profile.
My advice here - make sure your profile is 100% complete with the business information
such as email, business hours, payment options, services, coupons, photos and videos. You
can upload up to 10 photos and link up to 5 YouTube videos as well. Be sure to fill the profile
with as much as information as possible; showing Google that you are an active business
and that your listing is the most relevant for the specific keyword being searched. If you are
in a competitive market, take a look at your competitors listings, see how much information
they provide and make sure to at least much their listing, and if possible to expand on an
opportunity they may have missed.

2. How to optimize
One of the most important factors when optimizing for local search is to add your business
in other places besides Google local. Make sure you add the same information on all the
sites you add your business to.
How to track
There are many ways that you can track the traffic that your Google Maps listings sends to
your website, but Ill focus on three which in my opinion are the simplest ones. Accessing the
Google local Center Dashboard. This is the easiest way to check how the Google Local Listing
is performing, what keywords were used, and location where the search was originally
entered. This will provide a great understanding as to what these potential clients are
searching to find your business.
For more information visit: http://www.axistechnolabs.com/Services/SEO.aspx