As consumers continue to go to the internet more and more to find products or services they are looking for, businesses must ensure they can be found.  Google alone had over 9.1 billion searches in June of 2009.  One simple way to ensure customers will find you is to make sure you are listed in Google’s Local Business Search.  Local Search is the listings you find when you type in a generic search such as, “Jacksonville Pizza”.  These results will show up right below the paid Google ads like I have shown in the example below.

To ensure that your business is showing up in these results you can visit the Google Local Business Center.  Once there, you can update your business information, add pictures and videos and also link directly to you website.  You want to ensure this is as up to date as possible, so when people search for your business on Google, they can get as much information about your business as they need.

Just recently Google has announced that when mobile users are searching Google for local businesses, they will be able to click directly on the business phone number to connect instantly with that particular business.  This is just one more reason you will want to ensure that all of your information is current and accurate.  The feature will be present for all high end mobile devices, such as the iPhone, Android and Palm Pre.  Any device configured to use Google Voice will use that to make the call by default.

Another useful tool you can use with Google Local Search is the coupon tool.  This will allow you to add a coupon to your business listing, which will show up along side your listing in Google Maps, so when potential customers find you, they can print out the coupon and bring them in.

If you have not already, make sure you get your Local Business Listing set up and running.  It only takes a few minutes and once Google confirms the phone number you have listed, your business will begin to show up immediately.