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Most businesses now have at least an online business directory listing or web site. For those that have a business directory listing, the question is whether it is doing any good. I would think that the answer is that most online business directory listings are about as effective as a “For Sale” sign in the middle of the Mojave desert. The problem typically with online business directories is that most internet users never visit the business directory web site where your business is listed.

Typical Business Directory Listing - No Traffic, No Sales

A better approach to getting your local business listed online is to register it with the search engines, specifically Google. Google Maps may already have your local business listed, and all you have to do is claim your free business listing. To claim your free Google Maps business directory listing, all you need to do is the following:

1. Sign in to the Google Local Business Center. If you don’t have a Google Account, click Sign up for an account now and follow the instructions.
2. Return to Google Maps by clicking on the icon in the upper corner of the Local Business Center.
3. Search for your listing.
4. Click on the more info link next to your listing. This will expand the information window.
5. Click Edit under the address and phone number.
6. Click Claim your business, and follow the instructions.

For detail instructions for claiming your business listing on Google Maps, Click Here.

Note: Claiming your business directory listing on Google Maps is really only the first step in marketing your business online. There are still a lot more opportunities to increase traffic to your web site and increase phone inquires about your product and services as well as increase traffic to your local store. Other ways to increase sales through internet marketing include enhancing your business directory listings, start search engine marketing, and enhance your web site with search engine optimization (SEO).