What Builders Should Know About Google Maps

If you are in the home building or real estate arena, you may need some help attracting clients to your properties. The good news is Google has added "home for sale" search features to Google Maps.

Earlier this year, Google expanded this functionality by letting you select "real estate" from the "more" menu. Now Google has launched a much more robust feature. And the best part for you builders or real estate agents out there, you can list your homes for free on Google Maps.

"In the past, if you wanted to view real estate listings on Google Maps, your best bet was to select ‘Real Estate’ from the more menu, says Google in an announcement from its Australian blog. (http://google-au.blogspot.com/2009/11/making-it-easier-to-find-property-...) “Now, simply searching for "real estate" will return, well, real estate.

“We also wanted to tell you about the integration of real estate listings with Place Pages. Now clicking the "more info" link next to a listing takes you to a faster, easier-to-read page that gives you all of the information we have about a listing: photos, inspection times, videos, details, a Street View preview and nearby public transit information if available, allowing you to quickly find the listing you want and click through to the sources of the listing." Google said.

Google Maps could quickly become a major player in online real estate. If you’re looking to add your own listings, go to Google’s FAQ for real estate agents (or home builders). (http://maps.google.com/help/maps/realestate/data_provider_faq.html

You can read all about this and other Internet marketing strategies by visiting www.beviercreative.com

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!