Getting seen in local Google search maps

The maps that appear at the top of 'local' (location specific) Google searches are an important way of gaining visitors to your website. However, like with your website, getting listed in the top 8 (those that are shown) isn't necessarily that straightforward.

Here are 8 tips to help improve your listing:

1. Complete 100% of your Google Places listing, using the maximum available space (and your most appropriate key phrase) in your description, and providing as much information in the other fields as possible.
2. Add all 5 categories that you can, including custom ones for your main search phrases (you don't have to select from the list!), but do not duplicate any keywords too heavily - we have seen listings be suspended for this.
3. Ask your customers to complete reviews for you on your Google Places account. Give them a how-to guide to make it easy.
4. Create a 'My Map' on Google Maps, called the same as your primary search phrase and add your location pin to it.
5. Use location@yourdomain.com style branch email addresses.
6. Add several images and photos (your logo, staff photos, office front, local area photos, typical property photos, etc.) and include some of your keywords and phrases in the image filenames.
7. Upload a location video to YouTube and link to it on your Google Places account (or link to one of the ones already on YouTube - e.g. from fantasticplanetgb).
8. List your website with as many local directory websites that allow you to include your (local area code) phone number as possible (these are called citations).
9. Not so easy, but being in the perceived centre of town seems to help! You can use Google Maps to search for the town to investigate this if you are looking to move office!

Edit: As of early November 2010, Google has rolled out a new layout for local search results which places an even higher priority on completing Google Places information - don't miss out!