How Can Google Local Search and Maps Help Your Business?
Most of us are familiar with searching Google, Yahoo and MSN for products, services and information but there is a newer type of search that is growing in importance, that of local search. The definition of what exactly constitutes local search is somewhat vague. To give you a better idea consider the following three explanations:
- A search for a business or other entity within a specific geographical area, for example “hotels granada spain” or
- A search for information with the aim of making an offline purchase or action, i.e. “estate agent Galera” or
- An online search that you would previously have looked for in printed directories and yellow pages.
In the USA it is now estimated that 30 to 40 per cent of all searches are made with local results in mind, this growth will innevitably spread globally and so it is becoming increasingly important to understand what it is and how it works.
One of the difficulties is that local search means different things to different business. Local search means one thing to a hairdresser or sandwich shop but something very different to a household removal company and something again to a car rental agency. Naturally some businesses are very location specific while others less so, while others are national or international. One thing is for sure, local search is having a growing impact on all types of business.
The search engines, Google especially, have a increasing capability to recognise when a search intention is local. The intention of all search engines is to deliver highly relevant results tailored to the searches intention. When Google detects local intent it can deliver its results in a number of ways.
Google’s One Box Search Results
One Result Box
When Google determines that a local search is taking place but is unable to determine anything more specific it will display one or more results at the top of the page with phone number, directions and website address.
Google’s Three Box Search Results
Google's three box result
If Google has determined that a definite local search is underway but is unsure which business is being looked for it will deliver a three results box each with phone numbers etc.
Google’s Ten Box Search Results
Google Ten Box
If Google is certain of the business category being search locally it will deliver a ten box with a map pinpointing locations.
Either above or below these boxes you will find the normal listings, that we are familiar with.
Google Maps
Search Results on Google Maps
Searchers may also go directly to Google Maps and when they do they get a combination of results as shown below.
Very recently, as of April of 2009 Google started displaying local search results for NON local search queries! So it’s even more important to get in on this market as it’s expanding rapidly and Google seems to be helping this along. It’s highly likley that these non local search queries are pulling maps results based on the searcher’s IP address. For example if your IP address is in Madrid and you are looking for ‘used cars’ on Google you are very likely get a local search 10-box listing as shown above.
No matter what your business you should be represented and visible in local search and online maps. If you would like us to ensure you get the best results drop us an email below as a first step to appraising your business and its presence in local search.