In today's fast moving, competitive business world, doing business has become survival of the fittest - getting your business listed in Google Maps is the first place to start.
Can your customers find you in the Google Maps? Maybe the real question is can you afford not to be part of the biggest advertising media of all time? Please read on, because it's not as difficult as it may seem.
First a little background on the growth of Local Search.
In a recent study by Kelsey Group study, it was reported 70% of U.S. Households Now Use the Internet When Shopping Locally for Products and Services. This number is certain to rise exponentially in the coming years as the Internet continues its onward march upward. Add mobile search to the mix, and we are looking at a media outlet never before seen. This is also an incredible opportunity for people looking for your services and/or products. And the best part - small businesses can compete on an even playing field.
Here's a real-life example of how adding a business to Google Local Business Center (LBC) added visibility to one of my clients. A law firm in Troy, Michigan, Garmo & Kiste, PLC Attorneys and Counselors at Law, realized the value of optimizing their site for local search. Prior to implementing an SEO strategy, they were nowhere to be found on the local search radar - non-existent for organic (free) search listings and in most cases, buried 7 pages deep on the Google Maps for major keywords related to their business. Let's take "Troy Michigan Attorneys" as an example. Below, is a screen shot I took after some local search optimization, on January 29th, 2010. Click here to enlarge image (will open a new window) 
As you can see they are not only #1 on the LBC, they are also #1 in the organic section for the keyword "Troy Michigan Attorneys." Now getting listed #1 organically takes more than just getting your business listed in the LBC. But as you can see, getting your name atop the 7-Pack can boost for your company's visibility like no other.
And here's the great part. Getting listed in Google Maps is not difficult.
Simply go to Google Local Business Center (Google LBC) and create a business listing. There will be a series of prompts to answer about your business. You need to know how to fill in the information so that you have a better chance of getting listed in the 7-Pack, but never fear. Optimizing your business for the Google LBC is not difficult either and we will walk you through this in an upcoming video.
In summary, the visibility the Google Maps provides local businesses unparalleled media exposure. Better than newspaper, radio and the Yellow Pages. So, if you are not listed in the Google LBC, you will be doing yourself a huge favor by starting today. Think of it as it as putting up a free billboard for your business on I-75 (or any busy freeway for that matter), to be seen by thousands.