Get Your Business On The Map – Marketing Your Business Online
Have you ever noticed that when you do a Google search that oftentimes appearing near the top of the search engine results is a map with several businesses who fit your search criteria highlighted? Check out the image to the right for an example. FYI – The map includes a website link and phone number to each highlighted business both of which I have blocked out with green ‘X’ as it is PREP’s policy not to promote non-members. The search term I used in this particular search was ‘realtor orlando fl’.
You might be wondering why these particular businesses have been highlighted and not others. The first inclination might be to say that they must be paying for this placement but that would be incorrect. Google is very good about identifying paid ads with a 
badge. So how can your business be highlighted for FREE in relevant Google searches?
The first step is to create a FREE business listing in Google, Yahoo!, and any other search engines who offer this service.
The other step (and many people may be doing this already) is in your signature line at the end of your posts you should say something like ‘Serving Winter Park, Fairview Shores, Pine Hills, Orlovista…’ listing up to ten (10) of the areas you service. You don’t want to stuff your signature line as this can be seen by the major search engines as a ‘black hat tactic’ and actually get you penalized. Though it is common to include your phone number in your signature line, you should also include your office name and address. These techniques will pay off quite quickly if done consistently. Its your business, why not do what you can to highlight it in these search engine maps.
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