Promote Your Insurance Agency Website

First off, I’d like to thank the insurance agents and everyone else who have emailed me with questions and comments. I’m trying to get back to everyone individually. You can also post comments here on the blog.

I’m sure by now you have noticed a theme with the blog. I have heavily talked about the importance of local search engines. Today’s post is a real life example of what could happen to your local listing if you don’t take action.  (I’m not trying to scare you, but this example could just as easily happen to you)

This morning I had my every two year CPR renewal class. In true form I logged onto Google Maps typed in the company name where I was taking my class so I knew where I where to go.

I was able to locate the name of the company by searching for “First Line First Aid, Spokane Valley” I found the local listing for First Line First Aid however, there was a problem, the map had the listing not only in the wrong place but in a different city 35 miles away from where I was suppose to go…

Fortunately I was able to notice that the map location was incorrect before I left the house. This made me think about a couple things. Google has added a new feature where users can “correct” the pin placement on the map. Was this a mistake or a case of a less than ethical competitor moving the location on the map?

How can you prevent this from happening to your local listing on Google?

First off, claim your business with Google so nobody can modify it.

Secondly, double check the location of you agency on all major search engines that have maps.

Google Maps

Mapquest

Yahoo Maps

MSN Live

I went back and corrected the listing so the pin is in the correct location. I took a screenshot of the misplacement on the map:

Click on image to enlarge