We are moving offices, so I was just updating our “Contact Us” page with our new address. I went to Google Maps to get a map to link to from our page, when I discovered that you can create personalized maps in Google now.

Why I think you should create a personalized Google map.

1. When people click your web site’s “map” link, they will be taken to the Google Map homepage where you can reinforce your brand with custom messages and information about your business. Your personalized map can include information like your phone number, URL, a description of your business, even photos and videos – provided they are already hosted online.

2. When people click the “print” button on Google to print the maps, there is an area for them to write down notes. Having your phone number and address on the Google page so they only have to copy it from there helps your customers.

3. Personalized maps are searchable by the public (you can make it a private map if you want) and we don’t know exactly how Google will use these maps in their algorithms – but it definitely can’t hurt.

How to create a Personalized Google Map:

1. Type your address into: http://www.google.com/maps

2. Choose “Save to My Maps”

3. Put in your desired information and choose Save.

The right-hand box allows you format your text, upload pictures (pictures will already need to be hosted online), upload video, and add your hyperlink, but all of this text will only show to users if they click on Title of of the address.

The left-hand box is a text only box, but you can still list your phone number, URL, and any marketing message you want to include. The benefit of this box is that it will always show all of the text, no one will have to click on anything to get your phone number from your map.

And that’s it you’re done!