Getting your site on Google Maps

July 13, 2009

If you have a website, you know the power of Google! Over 60% of all Internet searches occur through Google, and it's critical that your site is optimized for good placement. In fact, if your site doesn't appear on the first few pages, you'll get very little traffic to your chiropractic website.

In the search for the coveted #1 placement on Google, it's easy to overlook another service of Google: Google Local.

If you go to Google and type in "chiropractor Olympia, WA," the first thing you'll see is a map of Olympia with little red markers showing the location of chiropractors. Getting your site on the map is critical--and, fortunately, really easy!

First, just go to the Google Local Business Center. You'll be asked for your Google login; if you don't have one, it's easy and free to get signed up. (Plus, Gmail is awesome.)

Once you're logged in, you'll want to click, "Add New Listing."

You'll then fill out basic information about your practice, including your website address. After you're finished, Google will need to confirm your listing (just to make sure that you are who you say you are). The easiest way to do this is by phone. Google will call you and request a PIN.

Within a few days, your listing will be live and show up on the map when your patients search for a chiropractor. Plus, if they click on your marker, they'll see information about your clinic and be able to go directly to your website!

If you have any questions about optimizing your website for Google (without paying someone a ton of money), download my free Ebook on Online Chiropractic Marketing.

Mike Melton