Today I was returning home from a client meeting when my girlfriend called and asked if I could pick her up some frozen yogurt on my way home. She had just had her wisdom teeth pulled so she was craving a cold and soft treat.

Not being familiar with the immediate area I decide to pull out my new Google Android phone and utilize the built in map search feature. I found the closest frozen yogurt shop on the map and traveled over there.

Later I found out that there was a Yogurtland shop 2 miles from my location I had driven 7 miles out of my way to visit the yogurt shop I found using the Google local map search. Yogurtlands failure to list their location on Google resulted in them missing out my sale.

The point is that in our search based society empowered by the blossoming of mobile technology it has become paramount to establish your business on local search maps. Small businesses cannot afford to forgo customers who are in their direct proximity as in the example of the yogurt shop.

Currently the Google Map reigns supreme and the listing process is relatively painless.

Go online today and see if your business is listed on the local search map in the appropriate category. If your business is present use the claim your listing feature to verify the listing and add additional information. If your business is not present follow the steps below to get your business location online.

- 1. Visit google.com/lbc Create a Google account if you don’t have one, or sign in with your account.

- 2. Enter information about your business, including address & phone, hours & more: You can even add photos of your business and coupons.

- 3. Verify that you own or run the business: Follow the instructions and enter a PIN code when you receive it, to complete the process.

- 4. Now you’re all set. You can log in daily to see how your business listing performs on Google, including how many times people found it, and what actions they took.

To get started today, visit the Local Business Center.

Tags: Google Maps, Local Business Listing.