It is even more important now for businesses to register for a free listing in the Google Maps local business center since Google started listing local business results (the 10 pack) for non local searches –for example previously only searches containing a location eg plumbers Manchester would have produced the local listings but now a search for plumbers without a location will also return local business results based on the users IP address.

Not all search terms will produce a local listing but there are lots that do and this indicates that in Google’s view many searchers looking for a product or service are doing so with local intent.

The question is how to ensure your business gets in the local “10 pack” and secure a page 1 listing.  The listing is often similar but not the same as the Google maps results.  The difference is that Google maps doesn’t take the website into consideration whereas the authority and relevance of the businesses website clearly does impact on the 10 pack.  Therefore businesses still need to optimise their sites for relevant keywords but with more attention on geographical locations as well.