Have you ever made a search for a business in a particular area on Google recently? Do you notice how Google some times return a business with a map to that business on the very first page of their results? Ever wondered how they got their business on there and how you can do the same? Well I’m about to tell you how…

But before I do, just to show you an example of what I mean, go to Google and search for “market ease adelaide”, or “web design port adelaide”. You will get a results page like the one below:

Now I’m going to show you how to tell Google about your business so that when your clients search for you, they can find you quickly and easily.

1. Check to see that your business is not already listed on the Google Local Business Center by search for “YourBusinessName YourBusinessLocation”, replace YourBusinessName with your business name, and YourBusinessLocation with the suburb of your business. For example, if you own Darrell Lea in Adelaide, type “Darrell Lea Adelaide”. Make sure your business is not already listed.
2. Navigate your browser to the Google Local Business Center home page.
3. Log in or sign up for a new account
4. Fill in your business information in the appropriate fields
5. Upload images of your logo and location
6. Once you complete your listing information, you can either have Google call you, sms your mobile or send you the activation code with instructions on how to activate your listing.
7. Follow Google’s instructions to activate your listing.

And that’s it! Simple, yet extremely effective. I hope you can use this tip to leverage Google’s traffic to grow your business. Best of luck!

Binh

For all those who want to try Google Adwords PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Advertising, you can now get a $50 voucher to jump start your new advertising campaign. This will only work for new accounts.

Terms and Conditions:

1. Promotional credit of AU$60 must be applied to a new AdWords account within 30 days of creating the account and is valid only for new Google AdWords customers with self-managed signup accounts.
2. Advertisers will be charged for advertising that exceeds the promotional credit. Advertisers will need to suspend their ads if they do not wish to receive additional charges beyond the free credit amount.
3. Subject to ad approval, advertisers must have a valid registration and accept the Google AdWords Program standard terms and conditions.
4. The promotional credit is non-transferable and may not be sold or bartered.
5. Offer may be revoked at any time for any reason by Google Ireland Limited or its affiliates.
6. One promotional credit per customer.
7. Advertisers with self-managed signup accounts are subject to a Ten Australian Dollar (AUD $10) activation fee.
8. Expires 30/06/2008.

Read the above terms and conditions before you apply for it. Now if you are ready to kick start your adwords campaign with $50 adwords credit into your account, go to this page and fill in your details. They will send you a promotion code which you can activate when you sign up for your account. Enjoy and good luck! Let me know your experiences with this.

Binh