Getting to the top of Google search results can take weeks or months, so I recommend you start with the “low-hanging fruit.”

Any local business, whether open to foot traffic or not, can gain from claiming their business listing in Google Maps. If you are listed in the phone book, it is very likely that your business is already included in Google Maps. You can customize this listing to include everything from pictures and video to coupons and much more.

More and more people are using Google Maps instead of the white or yellow pages because it is a quick and easy way to find local businesses. Google keyword searches that also include a geographic location like ‘grass valley, ca' or even a zip code, will usually display a list of local business above the search results for web pages. It is easy and free to modify your business listing in order to get more phone calls, walk-ins and visits to your Web site.

To see Google Maps in action, try this: Do a search on Google.com for “plumbing grass valley, ca.” You will notice a list of local plumbing businesses appears before the standard search results.

Next, click on the link for “Local business results for plumbing near Grass Valley, CA” that appears above the list of plumbing companies. This takes you to a Google Maps page (maps.google.com), where each business is listed with a “push pin” that represents the business location on the map on the top right of the screen.

Users can use this list to easily find phone numbers, addresses, reviews or click on the business name for more information. Notice the second business listed, ABT Plumbing & Electric, includes a family picture which makes their listing stand out above the competition.

Click on the link for ABT Plumbing & Electric to learn more about their business. By editing the listing, ABT has added information like business hours and details such as a compelling description, areas served and payments accepted.

Customize your Google business listing

Customizing your local business listing on Google is free and easy.

First, go to maps.google.com and do a search for your business name followed by your location. For example, “Del Oro grass valley, ca". Your business should appear in the top of the results. If not, you can add a business listing by visiting www.google.com/local/add.

When you locate your business listing, click the business name. This will open a box on the map with details such as your business name, address and phone number.

On the bottom of that box there is a link that reads Edit. When you click on Edit, a bit of text reading “Claim Your Business” will appear.

Clicking on “Claim your business” will take you to Google Local Business Center where you can get started customizing how your business is presented in Google Maps.

From the Local Business Center page, select Edit my business information and click the Continue button on the bottom of the page. You can now get started adding more information to your Google business listing to help searchers pick you over the competition.

After making changes such as adding a picture or logo, coupons, writing a compelling description, displaying business hours and additional details, you can save the changes. The next step requires that you prove you are the owner of the business by doing a simple verification by phone or mail. This prevents cyber-vandalism where one business can trash the listing of another. I recommend the phone verification because Google will call the phone number listed within seconds and your changes will be visible within only a few minutes.

To improve your Google Maps listing, I recommend that you work to get reviews for your business by informing your best customers about your listing in Google Maps and encouraging them to help you with a positive review. By working to get positive reviews of your business, you can stand out above the competition and show the quality that sets you apart.

You can learn more about the Google Business Center and even watch an introduction video at www.google.com/local/add. If you have any trouble getting started, go to google.com/support/ and type “local business” into the search box.

Coryon Redd is the president and owner of batteries4less.com, a local online business. For more information and a glossary of Internet marketing terms, visit coryon.com or e-mail coryon@gmail.com.