Local Maps SEO is one of the most efficient technique to get better traffic and position. This article also guides about where and how to submit your business listing in Local Maps.

Local Maps provides a short cut in Search Engine listings. Even the websites with low page ranks can jump to first page by using local maps and business listings.

There are some requirements and situations you must know.

1-    Local Maps are very effective, if your business is in Europe and America. Most of these countries have complete maps like directions, locations, streets.  Asian countries are not properly listed in maps.

2-    Your business must have physical location, because search engines will verify it. You have to give your complete contact information.

Do people like to search in Local Maps?

Well, let me tell you, American and British may use Local Maps to search everything. Weather search is made for business, geo-location or for a particular event.

Physical location view of shop, store or any business is always attractive to customers.

As I observed, now most of the website owner require Google or MapQuest integration for the ease of visitors to locate them. Every business/social event is placed on the website with directions on the map.

So, Web businesses are already in this trend.

One of the most popular yellow pages site in the United Kingdom (UK) is http://www.yell.com. Try to search any business and you will find a location map as well.

Another map listing site is http://www.mapquest.com , this website is based on maps. It is one of most popular maps integration website.

In a rough guess, listing in local maps can bring 20%-30% raise in the traffic.

Ok, now look at this example and then we will abstract observations.

Example UK Local Maps

Open http://www.google.co.uk  . UK local search and query for “hotels in London” phrase in it and the result will look similar to the following.

Results will be somewhat like this image.

 
Low Page rank BUT better position

If you observe the search engine results closely for a normal query say, "Hotels London" the Map Listings will be shown at the top of search results. The normal textual search results will appear below the Map Listing. Therefore, it means you can try for your business website to get listed on first page even if your website has low Page Rank.

That’s Interesting….

“Hanover Hotel Victoria” has Page Rank 3 and and and mostly Page Rank 3 websites appear in 2nd or 3rd pages for good demanding keywords. However by using the Local Maps, It is listed on page 1 and above all other results.
Therefore, it means you can try for your business website to get listed on first page even if your website has low Page Rank.

Reviews

You must have noticed the number of reviews against each map listing. Almost for every person who is searching a business or location, reviews are very important. These reviews can help to build a very good reputation of your website.

Business listings

Business listing is like a "customer base" for your business.  As a common trend, business websites are normally listed in yellow pages, international business portals and local business portals. Local map were not thought so frequently as business listings source.

However, now if you don’t list your business in Local Maps, you are losing a large number of potential customers.

It includes brief profile of business shared in listing. If you open these links and see that how these companies are managing profiles there, it will help you a lot.

How to add Map listings?

It may help you a lot.

You may visit the following local maps listings web sites and submit your business.

Google http://www.google.com/local/add

MSN Live https://ssl.search.live.com/listings/ListingCenter.aspx

MapQuest http://help.mapquest.com/jive/entry.jspa?externalID=421&categoryID=62