Hi all!

Because of an article I read on another forum several months ago, creating a listing for my business on Google Maps is on my to-do list. (Here's the article.)

I've gone to the Google Maps set-up page many times since I read that article, but I have hesitated to go ahead with the listing every time. The issues:

--On one hand, Google Maps is designed to make businesses easier to find for locals. I'm virtual and don't need to be physically "found," and my listing would only lead to a rented mailbox anyway, not a storefront. (I do not publish my home address anywhere online.)
--On the other hand, why not take advantage? This would give me additional visibility in GOOGLE, for Pete's sake.

What's your take? Have you done a Google Maps listing? What has been the result? Do you think my lack of physical "findability" would be a problem?

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AnnaLisa Michalski, Sunny Words Writing Services

Hi AnnaLisa,
I create a Google Map listing for each of my clients, without exception - regardless of what kind of business/office/physical or non-physical location they have. It increases the chances of your name coming up in a keyword search, a local search, etc.

Plus, it's not 'just' a listing of your company name and address, there are fields for keywords, email, phone number, product and service information, even the ability to upload your logo and other images - for a free business listing it's certainly one of the most thorough and it just happens to turn up on the single most utilized search engine on the web.

Not to mention, the business listings, when applicable to a search, show up at the TOP of the search result page, just beneath the paid results and before the 'regular' results.

There is absolutely no reason not to move forward. If your concern is clients calling you with a request to stop by your office, or similar, just be prepared to explain that you work virtually - and you're probably accustomed to doing that anyway in conversations with friends and family or strangers even! who don't know what a VA is .

Go for it!!

For anyone else who is as yet unaware of the Google Business Listing option click here. You will need a Google ID to log in, but not to worry - if you don't have one you can easily create one for free (look for the 'Create New Google Account' link at the bottom right.)

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Wow--I think that's all the reassurance I need, and from someone who knows better than I do.

Thanks!

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AnnaLisa Michalski, Sunny Words Writing Services