Thousands of businesses rely on maps to show and promote their business locations. You may have seen them while surfing local businesses on the Internet but have you ever wondered how these maps are created? Are they simply maps or do they serve a higher purpose? In this article find out how your simple business address can be geocoded to increase SEO.
Searching online for local businesses often brings you to these pages: "Locations" and "Contact Us."Both of them may or may not contain maps that show directions for customers. Some maps are simple, some are more dynamic and interactive. The latter is hyperlinked to free mapping softwares like Google Earth and Google Maps API for best viewing experience.
An interactive map is definitely way better than a static map don't you agree? While it is common notion that having interactive maps costs much, this theory should be debunked. Again there are free mapping services like Google Maps API which can transform your simple maps into dynamic tools that can help you market your business. Here are some tips so you can use this tool.
1. Sign up with Google Maps API to secure the API key you need to transport the map from your domain name.
2. Geocode your address. Wikipedia defines geocoding as "the process of finding associated geographic coordinates (often expressed as latitude and longitude) from other geographic data, such as street addresses, or zip codes (postal codes). With geographic coordinates the features can be mapped and entered into Geographic Information Systems, or the coordinates can be embedded into media such as digital photographs via geotagging." Basically you need to transform your business address into latitude and longitude coordinates either manually or with the use of software mapping tools. Manual geocoding requires GPS. You don't have to purchase a geocoder if you will only use it once. Again you can use free geocodes using Google Maps API although this may be a bit challenging for those who don't know programming.
3. After geocoding, double check the map to ensure that it is error free.
4. Finally don't forget to include your business information such as business name, address and contact numbers. These are needed for search engine optimization. The details you provide will be used to affiliate your website to business directories. Keywords are as you may know the backbone of SEO.
These are the basic steps you need to take in transforming your simple business maps to a dynamic and SEO friendly tool.
Searching online for local businesses often brings you to these pages: "Locations" and "Contact Us."Both of them may or may not contain maps that show directions for customers. Some maps are simple, some are more dynamic and interactive. The latter is hyperlinked to free mapping softwares like Google Earth and Google Maps API for best viewing experience.
An interactive map is definitely way better than a static map don't you agree? While it is common notion that having interactive maps costs much, this theory should be debunked. Again there are free mapping services like Google Maps API which can transform your simple maps into dynamic tools that can help you market your business. Here are some tips so you can use this tool.
1. Sign up with Google Maps API to secure the API key you need to transport the map from your domain name.
2. Geocode your address. Wikipedia defines geocoding as "the process of finding associated geographic coordinates (often expressed as latitude and longitude) from other geographic data, such as street addresses, or zip codes (postal codes). With geographic coordinates the features can be mapped and entered into Geographic Information Systems, or the coordinates can be embedded into media such as digital photographs via geotagging." Basically you need to transform your business address into latitude and longitude coordinates either manually or with the use of software mapping tools. Manual geocoding requires GPS. You don't have to purchase a geocoder if you will only use it once. Again you can use free geocodes using Google Maps API although this may be a bit challenging for those who don't know programming.
3. After geocoding, double check the map to ensure that it is error free.
4. Finally don't forget to include your business information such as business name, address and contact numbers. These are needed for search engine optimization. The details you provide will be used to affiliate your website to business directories. Keywords are as you may know the backbone of SEO.
These are the basic steps you need to take in transforming your simple business maps to a dynamic and SEO friendly tool.
About the Author:
Want to start mapping but have limited budget? Visit Drew Kesler's site to discover a mapping tool that uses Google Earth to provide affordable geocoding and mapping services.