This document provides information on using online maps to promote a local business, including: 1. Over 54% of Americans now search online for local business information, so claiming and optimizing a business' Google Place Page is important. 2. Key factors that influence a business' local search rankings include its location, address, proximity to search queries, business profile details, consistency of information, and SEO factors. 3. In addition to claiming and customizing its Google Place Page, a business can engage users by creating maps, adding photos and reviews to enhance its online presence.

1. You Are Here!Maps for Business X Presented by: Jenny Nixon - jnixon1@unl.edu Connie Hancock - chancock1@unl.edu Jay Jenkins – jjenkins2@unl.edu University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Educators

2. It's Not a Game of Hide and Seek

3. Local Search? More than 54% of Americans now search online for business information versus traditional phone books. (comScore) 82% of online local searchers follow up via an in-store visit. (TMP/comScore) 25% of online business listings are inaccurate, making it harder for consumers to contact and find them. (Search Engine Guide)

4. Google Local Search

6. Google Place Pages

7. Ranking Factors Location Address Proximity Business Profile Consistency Relevancy Keyword in business name SEO Factors Prominence Citations Reviews and Ratings My Maps and User Content http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/ 10 Likely Elements of Google’s Local Search Algorithm

8. Location/Distance Address Proximity Business Profile Consistency

9. Address

10. Proximity Proximity to location Hotel near Capital Restaurant near Mount Rushmore

11. Business Profile & Place Page

12. Consistency

13. Relevance Categories Keyword in business name SEO factors

14. Business Category

15. Keyword Usage

16. SEO Age of Place Page Age of Domain Name S = Search E = Engine O = Optimization

17. Prominence Citations Reviews and Ratings My Maps and User Content

18. Citation # of ‘mentions’ of business elsewhere Blogs Tweets Facebook Posts Other websites Etc. Validation of business name, address and phone number

19. Reviews and Ratings

20. Claim Your “Bubble” **Must have a Google Account You don’t need a gmail email account Search for your business on Google Maps.

21. If Your Business Has No Place Page Create a listing at google.com/places

22. Claim Your Listing Click on “more info” to view your Google Place Page

25. Use Dashboard Features Status Impressions Actions Top search queries Source of driving direction requests QR Code

26. Business Status

27. Impressions and Actions

28. Top Search Queries

29. Source of Driving Direction Requests

30. QR Code What's that bar code? This unique bar code (known as a QR code) lets customers instantly learn more about a business, by visiting a mobile version of the business' Place Page on any supported phone.

31. Customize Your Place Page Apply printable offers and coupons

32. My Maps/User Content My Maps – add locations/businesses User Content – geotagged photos of a business

33. Create Your Own Map http://maps.google.com/

34. Edit Map 3 edit tools Hand - select and edit your map details Balloon - add a placemark Line tool - draw a line Draw a line Draw a line along a road Draw a shape

35. Embed Your Map Select the “Link” in the upper right hand corner of your map. Choose the link URL or the HTML code to embed in your web site.

36. Which Do You Prefer?

37. Geotagging The process of adding geographical identification metadata to various media such as photographs, giving geotagged photographs. Wikipedia.com Finds a wide variety of location-specific information. Images taken near a given location Location-based news, websites, or other resources Location of a given picture or other media

39. Update All Maps Bing ExpressUpdate/Yahoo Mapquest

40. Claim Your Bing Map Bubble First search for your business at Bing Local. If your business is listed, click on it, then click “Change your business listing” under the heading “Update This Listing”. If your business is not listed, just go to the Bing Local Listing Center to create a listing.

41. Claim Your Information on ExpressUpdate ExpressUpdate is the source of business information for several sites and products including MapQuest To change your business information you will need to have an ExpressUpdate account.

42. Correct MapQuest Mapping Errors It is possible You must submit a MapQuest “Business Location Marker Form” which includes screen shots of where your business marker is currently and where it should be located.

43. You Are Here! X Your Business Place Page