Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important for a business to be on the Google and Yahoo maps?
Each year, more and more people use Google and Yahoo "local maps" to do their local searches for products and services, instead of using the old fashioned yellow page books. For a business, being found easily (and attractively) within the local Google and Yahoo internet maps is growing in its importance. This is because Google and Yahoo together, account for approximately 75% of all online searches and...
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40% of all online searches have local intent
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82% of people using local search sites followed up with an offline action, e.g; in-store visit, phone call (TMP Directional Marketing)
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89% of consumers making in-store purchases in key categories have conducted research online (BIGResearch)
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The internet influenced as much as $500 billion in offline purchases in 2007 (eMarketer)
In spite of these important trends, many businesses are still unaware the
Google and Yahoo maps exist. Once aware of this little "secret", most businesses told us
they were "intimidated" by the task of updating the listing themselves,
and that they lacked the
knowledge of how to optimize it correctly. Unfortunately many continue to delay
taking action and continue to lose out to businesses who show up easily on the
Google and Yahoo! maps. Because of these dynamics, an opportunity developed to offer our
unique service of affordably "optimizing" internet map business listings BETTER
and FASTER
than a business could do themselves.
What advantages does being on the Google and Yahoo Maps have over the
traditional yellow page books?
For the web surfer the advantages are many: 1. The
internet maps are
served quickly and noticeably on most keyword searches that mimic the same
popular categories found in yellow page books (i.e. computer repair). 2. The
internet maps
provide quick and handy info that is visible on first glance - including telephone numbers and links to
the business website.
3. The Google and Yahoo internet maps have links to additional important information like business hours,
representative photos, Youtube videos,
and even driving directions. 4. Online map listings on Google and Yahoo can
ALSO have "customer reviews". Let's face it - the traditional yellow page
(book) advertisements cannot possibly compete with Google and Yahoo internet
maps.
For the business the three biggest advantages are: 1. The map
listings are NOT ALPHABETICALLY RANKED. This means your business is not
limited where it shows up (by the first letter of your business name). A
huge difference because this means there is a good chance your business can be
near the top of the map.
2. You map listing information can be changed at any time. Unlike the
yellow pages where your add can only be updated once per year, at anytime you
can add new pictures, videos, and text to your Google and Yahoo local maps
listing (and if we are maintaining your map listing, we do this for you as part
of our service). 3. Lower cost. To have your Google and Yahoo
listing optimized is only a fraction of what it costs for an ad in the yellow
pages.
Am I guaranteed to get on the map under they keywords that are most
important to me?
No, we can't guarantee that you will appear on the map under the keyword phrase
(example: "Seattle hair salon") of your choice. However we can
guarantee you will have your business listed WITHIN the map data and YOUR
BUSINESS WILL show up in the "more results" type links found below the maps.
Also, YOUR BUSINESS WILL show when someone searches using your business name and
your city and state (Google). Eventually, we hope that our expertise in
properly adding your information to the maps will result in you appearing on the
keyword map under the keywords that are most important to you. Many businesses that
did not show up on the map initially, will eventually show up on the map after a
period of time has passed. The reason we can't guarantee that you show on
the map is because Google and Yahoo decides this, not us. With that said,
we try EVERYTHING WE KNOW to get you on the map as quickly as possible.
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How long does it take to add me to the maps?
About three business days on average. The process can occur faster if you
get the information we need as quickly as possible. Likewise, if the
business is slow to get us the information we need to complete your map listing,
the process can take longer. Remember that adding you to the maps is
different than when you might appear on maps for keyword searches.
Appearing in the map after a keyword search can take a few weeks, a month, or in
rarer cases, longer.
Why don't identify the people giving you testimonials by their full name and business name??
First we want to assure you that all of our
testimonials are 100 percent real and not made up. We are incredibly proud of
the success that we have contributed to our customers businesses - but simply
put, we don't want to give away an incredibly valuable marketing secret (LocalMapMe.com)
to other businesses in the same local industry. If we identified their full
name and business name it could bring competition sooner than expected. We do
expect that our map optimization techniques will remain a secret for a few years
into the future, and we do everything we can do to protect the advantage our
customers have.
Can I use my credit card to pay for your service?
Yes, we take Visa or Mastercard (charge will appear from "PICS International").
We will also happily take a company check - but please note that we will need to
receive your payment before we start your optimization service.
Your local map service is for 12 months - so what happens after that?
If you want us to maintain your map listing after your first 12 months, an annual fee (per listing)
equal to your first year, is due on an annual basis. This allows you
to send us updates for your map listing year after year, and we will also notify
you of anything we see that could improve your map listings as the features
change.
Are you owned by, or do you work for Google or Yahoo?
No we are not owned by these companies and we are not compensated by them in any
way. We are a privately owned business providing a convenient, helpful,
and effective service to small and medium sized businesses who understand the
importance of Google and Yahoo's online local mapping features.
Once I get on the maps, can I expect a lot of new business to come from
them?
This really depends on how "active" the keyword searches for your type of business are.
In most cases the activity is modest at first - but as the internet continues to
grow in usefulness, your search activity will grow over time. In some
cases, suddenly being seen on the maps has an enormous effect on calls, walk-ins
and new business. They key is to get on the map right away and make sure
you provide us with access to information and pictures that can enhance your
listing, and encourage your customers to "review" your business.
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If I am already on the map, how can you make my listing better?
Most listings that are already present on the maps are not optimized to
effectively get customers make contact with you. This is because people
surfing the we are often clicking back and forth from web searches "doing
research" - and if your listing looks plain or uninteresting to them, they
will continue to search for a business that gives them what they are looking
for. LocalMapMe specializes in making your listing look its absolute best.
This is done by what we call "maximizing the information" that is present in
your listing making it stand out from the competition's listing.
Maximizing information includes adding your company logo (if available), additional
representative and attractive photos, youtube videos already online, and important "customer reviews". When this is all done,
the effect on an optimized map listing on a potential customer is much better than most businesses can
do for themselves.
If Google and Yahoo put me on the maps for free - why should I pay to
have someone optimize it?
While it is true that many businesses are on the Google and Yahoo maps already
at no cost, the issue is really not if you are on the map but rather - how well
your map listing PEFORMS for your business. First, if there is incorrect
information then it won't perform well at all (because customers can't reach you). Second, if you leave
something out that could make your map listing perform better - what we call
un-optimized, and you lose new business because of it - then what is that loss
worth to you? LocalMapMe.com discovered that most businesses do NOT HAVE
THE TIME to learn how to expertly add themselves to these maps and so the cost
of having an expert do it is considered very fair and
and an even bigger convenience. If you think about it it's just quicker and almost always
better to have a professional do something so important. .
How do I add customer reviews to my listing?
Simply start to ask your customers to give you a review. You can do this
by telling them to search for your map listing (using your keyword phrase or
company name, city and state or province) and click on the "Write a review" link
found within the listing details. In order to give a review you must have
a corresponding Google or Yahoo account. These accounts are free and many
folks already have them. The key is to start asking. Once your
business has three or four positive reviews you will have an edge over your
competitors listing which may have none.
How can you optimize my business which is located hundreds or even
thousands of miles away from you?
We can currently optimize almost any business address located in the US or
Canada. We do not have to live or work in your city to optimize it because
our work is done through the internet. In fact, most businesses will not
have someone located locally who can expertly do what we do. Some folks do
have to mail us pictures and information but most already have the info we need
on their website. So again, almost everything goes through the internet.
This speeds things up and keeps costs down.
What is your best success story to date?
A local business told us they receive three to five customers per day from their
Google and Yahoo maps. Please note that this kind of response is not the
norm but it really proved to us the POWER of a good, visible Google and Yahoo
map listing.
How does your "No Risk" guarantee work?
We guaranteed your business will be added to the maps you ask us to. If
our optimization work
performs no better than the plain info that was in there already, we
will refund your money. We are selling "optimization" for your listing
which means we WORK our best to make it perform better for you (more calls, inquiries,
sales) than a non-optimized listing. If you don't feel we have done this,
we will first try to fix this and if we cannot fix it you will get your money
back.
How does your service cost compare to advertising in the regular "Yellow
Page" books?
Most Yellow Page book ads cost a few hundred (and possibly thousands) EACH
MONTH. On top of that, the YP sales people keep coming back EACH YEAR with a
price increase (unless you buy more!). And before you thought it could get any
worse, each year less and less people use the physical "phone book" type yellow
pages. Yellow Page response rates are drying up as most people now learn use
the Google and Yahoo maps to search for goods and services. So when you compare
their expensive monthly cost to our low ANNUAL cost, there
really is no comparison at all!
Why just Google and Yahoo maps? Aren't there other important maps to be
found on?
Right now Google (55%) and Yahoo (20%) account for three quarters (75%) of all
web searches. The last quarter of searches is divided by quite a few
search smaller and less used engines - and few to none of these additional
search engines have active mapping features as useful as Google and Yahoo.
So it is our opinion that for now - Google and Yahoo are the most important and most
valuable places to be found and nothing else is as urgent. Our
hope is that your business succeeds because you are found by the customers who
want what you have - and so if another search engine begins to offer the same
"bang for the buck" that Google and Yahoo currently do - we will absolutely let
you know about it!
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