How to Advertise With Google Maps

Google Maps allows businesses to create local business ads associated with their locations. Businesses can advertise to individuals looking for information about their localities, targeting ads to likely customers. These ads can even appear directly on the map. Local business ads can be very practical for small business because you, as the advertiser, will only be charged for individuals who actually click on your ads.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Complete a Google Maps listing for your business. Google requires businesses to have completed listings before preparing advertising campaigns. Visit the Google Maps Local Business Center in order to complete your listing (see Resources below).

2. Create a Google AdWords account in order to advertise through Google (see Resources below). If you already have a Google account (Gmail, Google Docs and other Google products all use the same account information), you can log in without creating an account. Otherwise, you can create an account on the Google AdWords website.

3. List keywords relevant to your business. Try to think of words and phrases your customers might search for if they were looking for a business in your category. With this list, complete Google AdWords' online form to create a new keyword campaign.

4. Choose the "Create New Local Business Ad" button in Google AdWords, and choose the business listing that you wish to advertise. The website will then ask you to add a description and a website, if your Google Maps listing does not already include your website.

5. Upload a photo or icon to Google AdWords to complete your ad. Google AdWords will then allow you to save your ad, although your advertisement will not become visible on Google Maps unless you have already completed your billing information for Google AdWords. You can set up your billing information by providing a major credit card or by inputting your bank account information in a secure form.

Tips & Warnings

• Google AdWords requires new users to complete a wizard the first time they log in to their accounts. The wizard walks you through creating your first advertising campaign.
• Advertising on Google Maps is available only for businesses located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium and Spain.
• Google AdWords can charge significantly more for popular keywords than for relatively uncommon keywords.

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Resources

• Google Maps Local Business Center
• Create an account at Google AdWords.