Getting started with My Maps
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Depending on your location, you can create personalized, annotated, customized maps using Google Maps. Your maps can contain the following:
Once you have created a map, you can:
To create or edit maps, you must be signed into your Google Account. You do not need to be signed in to view a map. You can also search for maps made by specific users. You can also use and add additional content in Google Maps. Learn more. |
Watch a video tutorial about using MyMaps:
Creating and editing a map
To create or edit a map:
- Go to Google Maps.
- Click My Maps > Create new map. If you want to open an existing map, check it in the left panel and click Edit.
- Add a title and description for your map. You can make your map public or unlisted. Learn more.
- Use the icons in the the top right corner of the map. These include:
- Once you are finished, click Done.
Selection tool. Use this to drag the map and select placemarks, lines, and shapes.
Placemark tool. Use this to add placemarks. Learn more.
Line tool. Click this button to select a tool to draw lines, shapes, and draw lines that automatically snap to roads. Learn more.
Note that these tools do not appear until you create or edit a map (see step 2).
You can return to your map at any time. Just go to Google Maps and click My Maps. Sign into your Google Account and select the map from your list of maps.
Finding your maps
- Go to Google Maps. Make sure you are signed in.
- Click My Maps. A list of your maps appears. Click the appropriate map to view it.
Finding maps made by others
Once you have found a map you like, you can view other maps made by the author by viewing this person’s user profile. To do this:
- Click the marker for the map you like. Click Created by…. Note that if you move the cursor over the link, an image appears for that person.
- A user profile page appears. It displays all maps created by this person and some additional information about this person in the left panel.
- Click the appropriate tab in the left panel to view all content created by this user, just reviews or just maps.
Deleting your maps
To delete your map:
- Click My Maps. A list of your maps appears.
- Click Delete beside the appropriate map.
You can only delete your maps, not others.
Frequently asked questions about how to get your business on Google Local Business Results on Google Page One
Contents
- What is Google “Local Search”?
- What does Google “Local Business Results” mean?
- How does Google “Local Search” work?
- Where does Google pull “Local Business Results” from?
- What are the benefits of being found in a “Local Search”?
- How do businesses get listed in Google “Local Search Results”?
- How and when can a business appear in “Local Search Results”?
- What are the benefits of being on Google Maps?
- Does Google always include “Local Business Results” on page one?
- Where will my business appear in Google Results?
- Will I have to pay for Google Adwords?
- Will I have to pay for Google Adwords?
- What is the difference between the MapMyBusiness service and Google Adwords?
- Do I need a website to use the MapMyBusiness Service?
- How do I add my business to Google Maps?
- What are the biggest mistakes people make when listing their business on Google Maps?
- Can MapMyBusiness help my Bed and Breakfast Marketing?
What is Google “Local Search”?
Google local search allows people to easily find WHAT they want, WHERE they want it. A classic example would be “Hotels Berlin”, or “Galway Restaurants”. This is great news for consumers, and we are all consumers. It makes it very simple to locate restaurants, accommodation, shops etc. in the area we are interested in. It is also great news for businesses seeking to source services, and even better news for businesses looking to get found. For example, if I’m looking for a Printer in Dublin, then I search Google for “Printers Dublin”. If I need an Accountant in Athlone, I search for “Accountants Athlone”.
What does Google “Local Business Results” mean?
“Local business results” contain businesses that match the search criteria. The screenshot below shows local business results for “Bed and Breakfast Cork”.
How does Google “Local Search” work?
Google has figured out how to distinguish WHAT’s, from WHERE’s. For example, It knows that Dublin, London, and New York are place names. When someone searches Google for a WHAT and a WHERE, like “Chartered Accountant Dublin”, Google page one includes a local business results map for the named location.
If a searcher does not find the business they want, they can click on more results – this will take them into Google Maps where they can find more businesses providing the service they need. If they like they can zoom into a specific area, perhaps where they live, to specifically look for service providers in their area.
Where does Google pull “Local Business Results” from?
Google selects local business results from Google Maps business listings. Google puts the local business results in a separate database to Google Maps, from where it populates the Local Business Results section of Google Page One.
What are the benefits of being found in a “Local Search”?
Your business being found for a local search means someone actively searching Google for your service in your area will see your business name. They may click through to your website, and you then have an excellent chance of acquiring a new customer. If you don’t appear when people search for your service in your area, you have no chance of winning the sale.
How do businesses get listed in Google “Local Search Results”?
There are three ways that businesses get listed in Google “Local Search Results”
1. Google may automatically list your business
2. You may list yourself
3. You may engage a professional services firm like SEIT to list your business
Google automatically lists businesses by pulling information from directories. You might be listed and not be aware that you are on Google Maps, and may already be appearing in Local Search Results. In theory this is great, but the details are often wrong, incomplete or incorrect. If your business is already listed – you may CLAIM your business.
If your business is not already listed – you may list your business yourself.
How and when can a business appear in “Local Search Results”?
There are a number of situations in which a business can appear in local search results.
- On regular Google Search results
- In Google Maps search results
- On a mobile device maps results,
What are the benefits of being on Google Maps?
A “simple” Google Maps listing will enable people to easily find your business by searching Google Maps for the name of your business. These people are typically your existing customers, since they already know the name of your business.
An “optimised” Google Maps listing, from a reputable company will provide you with the additional benefits:
- Your business will appear in the “local business results” on Google’s first page.
- Your business will appear when people search for your SERVICE(s), not just your business name
- No payment for Adwords, no pay per click advertising costs
- You can add your location to your outgoing emails
You already put your phone number, email address and website at the bottom of your emails. Now you can add ‘directions to our business’ – which will link to your GoogleMaps listing.
Does Google always include “Local Business Results” on page one?
No. Google includes “Local Business Results” when there are sufficient businesses in the requested area providing the requested service. Hence you may expect to see local business results when you search for “Bed and Breakfast Cardiff”, but not when you search for “tree surgery aran islands”.
Where will my business appear in Google Results?
If you engage SEIT to optimize your listing, your business will appear on Google PAGE ONE, in the Local Business Results section, as shown in the screenshot below for Sean Nolan’s Gym in Enniscorthy – otherwise there is no fee payable.
Will I have to pay for Google Adwords?
No – we do not use Google Adwords, and you don’t have to “Pay Per Click”.
Your business will appear in the Local Business Results section on Google Page One. When people click on the name of your business they will go directly to your website at no additional cost.
What is the difference between US and Google Adwords?
- With Google Adwords, you must select your own keywords.
SEIT as Marketers will work closely with you to identify the best keywords to use, to maximise the number of visitors to your website and you business location. - With Google Adwords, your business stops appearing in Google search results when your daily budget is reached.
With us your business appears 24 hours a day, 7 days per week and 365 days per year. - With Google Adwords, you pay each time a person clicks on your Ad. With us, you pay a modest fee for your optimized listing, but there is no payment when people click on your listing.
Do I need a website to use the our mapping?
No – It is not necessary to have a website. We can provide you with a simple webpage describing your services, at no extra cost.
A Google Maps business listing is an excellent first introduction to the Internet for many business types that have not yet used the net for marketing purposes (e.g. Trades people).
However, businesses that do have websites will benefit most – Your website is your shop window, the main purpose of the listing is to drive prospective customers to your website.
How long will it take to get my business in Google Local Business Results?
While it can take up to one month, we typically get your business into the Google Local Business Results within one week.
How do I add my business to Google Maps?
Google have posted a video on Youtube that explains how to add your business to Google Maps yourself, at no cost.
What are the biggest mistakes people make when listing their business on Google Maps?
1. People fail to state the obvious – They often describe what a wonderful service they provide, and emphasise the value they give, but they omit to mention the actual service they provide.
To avoid this – State the obvious – If you are a firm of builders, make sure that your description says that you are a firm of builders. Not how fantastic your carpenter is.
2. Use of forbidden terms – Google objects to certain terms. Unfortunately Google does not publish the list. If you use a forbidden term, your listing will be set to “Flagged, waiting for content check”. It can stay inactive in this state indefinitely. To prevent this happening: Avoid using abbreviations, avoid using persons names and do not include the word Google.
Can SEIT help my Garden Machinery Shop Marketing?
Absolutely. When people search Google for Garden Machinery, they always specify where they want to visit.
Searches typically look like “Repair lawnmower bunclody”.
We will put your shop in the Local Business Results on Google Page One for searches like “repair lawnmower bunclody”.
Your business will appear in the local business results on Google’s first page when prospective clients search for service providers in your area – OR there is no fee payable.
How long will my business remain in the Google Local Business Results?
It is impossible to say how long your business will remain in the Local Business Results, since Google is constantly updating its Search Algorithms, and businesses are constantly improving their website content. We are now integrating Google Maps with Loc8 Codes which are the first and only All-Ireland Digital Address Code which is a smarter form of postcode. You can now easily find an exact location anywhere on the island of Ireland. This will be rolled out across the globe in the near future, and Google are certainly looking into this.