Using Google Maps for Your Business
There are a few ways that you can use Google maps for your business. If you haven’t already, consider registering your business location on Google maps. You may also want to use ‘my maps’ to create and publish your notes about a community that can be shared with potential buyers.
1.Pinpoint your business address on Google maps so clients can find you when they search for neighborhood information - your business on Google Maps
*Hot Tip: Don’t limit your location to just business name and address. Add information such as photos, your company logo, or a video introduction. You can also include links to your website or listings pages.
2.Use My Maps to add community and neighborhood information:
Share your knowledge about a particular neighborhood by pinpointing the best restaurants, school districts, or neighborhood highlights. Add an interactive Google map to your website or blog to help buyers learn about the community where you have homes for sale. You could even create a walking tour of the neighborhood like the one described in the video below.
Don't just take my word for it, watch the My Places introduction video above.
3.It's important to note that you cannot use Google maps to feature your listings. this was dropped early last year in favor of MLS listings. More information on this topic can be found here. http://actvra.in/sBd
Example: I've included a map below from a hop-on hop-off shuttle bus in the U.S. southwest. The map is embedded in their website and includes icons with location notes and links for additional information. This is a great tool for someone looking to explore the area before deciding on a destination. This example could also apply to someone looking to buy a home in your area!
Interactive maps allow you to click and drag for navigation, zoom in and out, change the map style (satellite, traffic, images, etc). You can even search inside the map for nearby information. Give it a try below.
View Wicked Desert Experience in a larger map www.wdexperience.com
Additional instructions and a detailed video about customizing Google maps can be found in the following post by Craig Daniels - http://actvra.in/pzX
Cheers!
I've been taking lunch this week at the Whole Foods grocery store a few blocks away from the office. Seattle weather has been beautiful lately, so it's been nice to eat lunch in the sun just outside Whole Foods in the park area.
Whole Foods gets crazy busy at lunch and I am so glad that I'm not trying to find a spot in the parking garage. I have to admit that I've had my fair share of intense moments in the Whole Foods parking lot. Just last month, while picking up a birthday cake, I had my car doors keyed by someone who took off in a minivan. Apparently they thought I had taken their spot!
This video made me laugh, it does a great job at making fun of the stress and intensity that takes place in the Whole Foods parking lot during lunches or after work. Ha!
On Tuesday I hosted my first Ballard Neighborhood Block Party! I have to admit, over the past few years I wondered why so many blocks had their streets closed off on August 2nd, BBQ's wafting smoke filled aromas into the air, neighbors drinking beer together while kids and dogs ran in the streets. It turns out that August 2nd is the national night out.
The National Night Out campaign, a nationwide community promotion sponsored by local police departments, is intended to promote community safety and communication between neighbors. Although there is an option to register your block party with the local police department, I chose to advertise my Ballard Neighborhood Block Party with my own flyers and by word-of-mouth during my daily dog walk.
I have been walking my dog around the block for over three years and have to admit that I have not met, seen, or even talked to the majority of my neighbors. This year I decided to do something different and headed up the effort to start our first neighborhood block party.
My neighborhood in Seattle (Ballard) may have the strongest sense of community in the city. Proof of this can be seen in many Seattle city-wide competitions ranging from us winning the KEXP hood-to-hood fundraising challenge, to blowing away the competition in the neighborhood bike to work challenge, and even having some of the longest running neighborhood bock parties. You can gain a better sense of the Ballard community by checking the local "My Ballard Blog" which lists all of the Ballard Neighborhood Block Parties that were scheduledon Tuesday night.
My block party turned out better than expected as nearly half of the block came out in street to meet each-other. Stories were shared over burgers, kids made s'mores over the campfire, and new friendships were formed. One neighbor, who has been living on the block for 25 years mentioned that this was the first time he had seen everyone on the street get together for something like this. The overall feedback I received was great! I feel that the neighborhood block party contributed to the great sense of community that I already get from living in Ballard.
Nothing says community like a neighborhood block party, we're already talking about having another BBQ this summer. Here's to beer and burgers with my neighbors in the BEST Seattle neighborhood!
ActiveRain Member Service Specialist.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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