Google Maps , Yahoo Local and Live Local are the 21st century yellow pages for computer savvy people and businesses. If your business isn't already listed find out how in this blog post.
If you haven't used them click one each and enter "Restaurants, Woodinville, WA" and you will see most of the restaurants in town. Try "Adult Family Homes" and other services to see how good these tools are. Each has some way to set the default area to the town or city where you work, live or search the most.
These tools are free to both the person searching for a service and the businesses. They rely in part on the business owners entering their own data, and in part by searching web pages. It is best that business owners enter their own data and check that the list works once or twice a year. Each requires that you have an account with them for authentication. Be sure to save the account information (username & password) because you will need it to update your listing in the future. All are free for the basic listing, which includes name, address, phone, description, link to web site, photos and more. Each will try to sell you advanced services which you usually don't need.
The process of getting listed takes about 10-15 minutes each if you follow these instructions. Google and Windows Live send a postcard to your business address to confirm the information prior to making it public. After you get the postcard you have to go back on the web and enter the PIN from the postcard. Since Google is currently the most popular (68%) search engine start with it. In the Seattle area Microsoft's Search is second with 21% of the search traffic on Aging Safely. All of these sites allow for people to write reviews. Request a couple of your customers to write reviews, Your listing always looks better with 5 stars next to it.
Steps for Getting Listed at Google Maps
- First you need an account at Google. Usually this is a Gmail account. If you already have one - use it. If not, then get one. You don't have to use it for mail. Go to Create A Google Account fill in the form and create your account. Remember the accounts username and password since you will need this when creating or updating your Google Maps entry.
- Go to http://www.google.com/local/add/businessCenter?gl=us&hl=en-US Fill in the listing information for your Adult Family Home. If you have multiple homes you can do them all. When you are done entering the data you have to choose how Google will verify that you are the business owner. You may choose phone or postcard. Google will use either the phone number or address that you listed for the business to contact you to verify the listing. You will be given a PIN number.
- Catagories -- Google has many catagories and but none for AFHs. Number 84 "Health & Medical - Assisted Living" is the best match I have found.
- After you get the PIN number, go to www.google.com/local/add login with your Google account from step one and provide the PIN for the each pending listing update.
- Future updates can be made by going to your listing and clicking on "Update Listing" after you are signed in to your Google Account. You may have to go thru the verify process again.