This free Google service allows anyone set up profile for a business (or personal) so the information (query data) will be available for search engines. The platform is users friendly, allowing businesses to include hours of operation, menu, list of services, coupons, map. Businesses can learn about competitors or related businesses in the immediate surrounding areas, audience's behaviors, and geographic locations -- thru feedback, tracking charts and maps. Businesses will able to keep taps on phone numbers, street addresses and related links to company website. Users can give online reviews and get driving directions from a PC or mobile phone. Businesses will be able to connect better with customers in a more personal level, by letting users/customers doing most of the business/social networking, spontaneously.
This looks like good news for all businesses for saving money on advertising. But bad news for advertisers and news media companies that already struggling with decline in ad revenues. However, it's good to know the rough sea ahead, and what's available to everyone out there, no matter how big or small the companies. I am only wondering what the business world will be like in, say two to three years from now. It's scary and/or exciting.
Go to Google Local Business Center for test drive!
