Any location specific search will always trigger a Google Maps result at the top of the SERPS (Search Engine Results Page). This enables you to get directions or more significantly, find a local business or store. Good news if you’re optimising your web site as Google plays favourites with Google Maps, always awarding results sourced from this part of the site with pride of place at the top of the results page. Getting your business included in this section is a must if you have a physical storefront location and a great way to find your footing in the most prominent organic positions. More about SEO and Local Search

Benefits to your SEO Campaign

Any business with a physical location can add their addresses and pictures to Google Local. When search users input keywords plus a region or post code, your site will show up along with any images you’ve added to your listing. This is an invaluable opportunity to appear at the top of the SERPS, reinforcing your brand identity even if you have other page 1 listings. If you’re struggling to break into the top ten or even top 100 places for your favoured keywords, a local presence is the perfect short term solution.

Google Maps are a popular mobile search function as commuters search for directions or a restaurant / store nearby. This gives extra exposure for your web site, directing not only virtual traffic but physical foot traffic to your place of business.

Your listing in Google Maps is reinforced with images or a company logo, adding an extra note of interest to your web presence.