Google Maps

Extra features allow businesses to add photographs and more personalised attributes to their listing. This offers more benefits to advertisers than traditional directories as you can display products and describe your business in more depth.

The original business information is taken from the Yell directory which Google originally allowed businesses to update with a description and inclusion into up to five categories. If you haven't updated your listing already then get in touch and we can help you do this.

Your business information can become more visible in Google Maps search results and offer visitors a better idea of what your company actually offers.

Our experience in Search Engine Optimisation means we can ensure your business is listed in an optimised section, with optimised descriptions, images and attributes. Get in touch to learn more.

Google Co-op adds customised search

Google's social network product creates hubs of knowledge and a more community-oriented approach to search. Find out more about Google Co-op

The power of crowd wisdom is something that Google is moving toward with Google Co-op as it means that search is placed in context.

This has been developed further with the addition of a customised search engine (CSE). The slow uptake of Google Co-op meant many people didn't buy into putting information into topics or clicking on them in the Co-op results. Adapting Google Co-op to contain a specialised search box makes the service much simpler to understand, use and adapt as it mimics the same trusted, clean interface of the main search engine.

There is also a reward system, so when you create a CSE you can choose whether to display ads taken from AdWords alongside the searches. So you can create a customised search and make money out of it too!

I've been playing with the system and created a customised Google search for "Online Marketing" At the moment it searches our own website. I will be adding all of the resources I have collected from my research into the wonders of the web. So if you're ever stumped by a bit of Internet marketing jargon, feel free to try it out.

As well as creating a CSE in Google Co-op, you could put the search box on your own website.

This has a dual effect:

1. Help site visitors find information more easily.
2. Google can spider your site and the sites you recommend as sources of knowledge, resulting in increased kudos for your site.

For more advice on the latest Google technology keep an eye on our newsletter, or if you would like to set up a Google Co-op or Google Maps listing then get in touch.