Google Maps Unveils New Local Business Features

dhinckley writes "Google Maps has added some new features including pictures of the front of the locations you're searching for. Additionally, Local Businesses can enter custom information about their companies including pictures, websites, what type of payment they accept, and even offer coupons through Google Maps."

New Google Maps Feature Unveils Business Details

"New Google Maps Feature Unveils Local Business Details" would make more sense.

where

Where are they getting these pictures of the front of locations? Is it from the Canadian company going around taking pictures of houses? I wonder how much I can make driving around taking pictures of my neighbors houses.

Yellow Old Maps

Google's database of businesses is very sparse. I routinely search for various product retailers in NYC, and get results showing only a dozen or so stores, when I know there are hundreds of stores matching the search terms. Outside Manhattan it's even worse.

The map interface is very useful for browsing for brick & mortar stores in convenient locations. But their DB misses so many convenient locations that I don't care if they make one out of my way more convenient. They should spend some of their $billions on a real business database. Then they'd make it back on the ads when everyone uses them as "the new Yellow Pages".

Re:Yellow Old Maps

I couldn't disagree more. In fact, I think that they're so good, that I have discontinued all of our Yellow Pages listings. In fact, last time I spoke with a Yellow Pages salesperson, she said that not only has she gotten the same response from many businesses, but she's not surprised because xx% of people now go online to find phone numbers, hours, and other business info before they think about using Yellow Pages. Phone books are dead. Stick a fork in 'em.

Trouble Ahead

I wonder how many people are going to get caught with their vehicle parked in front of the local nudie bar or XXX book store and will have to explain things to a spouse. Another issue could be how do they verify the data is from the business owner and not someone with a grudge or unscrupulous competitor. Great idea though, being able to see the front of the place could really help when looking for a building I have never been to.

Feh. Not that great.

It only found one "titty bar" in Dallas. Still needs work.

White House

That didn't take long at all.
Check out the white house [google.com] at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500.

All the "White House" pictures are making fun of Bush.

Welcome Google to the same woes as wikipedia.

Spam Maps...

The last thing I need to see on Google Maps is the location of adult bookstores and coupons for Viagra.

some detailed pics...

a very local business [google.com]
something else... [google.com]

and some sunbathing topless chicks here and there... concerned about your privacy yet?

Re:some detailed pics...

and some sunbathing topless chicks here and there... concerned about your privacy yet?

Ya, we're all concerned about privacy, of course. But could you please provide the links to the topless chicks so we can . . . better understand the issues involved?

Finally..

I had an idea a couple years ago about starting a massive searchable database of what times companies open and close so you can quit wasting your time driving or calling when there's no one there. Finally it can be done. I wonder if that is something most businesses would find worthwhile to keep updated... it sure would come in handy.

Click map to find businesses?

This is one request I've had for awhile. I know where it is on a map, but I don't know the address. I noticed they added building outlines in parts of LA (where I live). I can't wait till I can point to a business and get directions instead of searching by a nearby intersection.

Does Yahoo have this?

As a business owner I have been upset with Google Maps because their maps didn't correctly position my establishment. With this new feature, I immediately fixed their map location, added 10 pictures, an intro blurb and several other pieces of metadata. This can only improve my business's visibility.

The end result should be a very accurate database => Google's value rises. This database entry is very happy. All in all a win-win situation.

I wonder how I fix my stuff on Yahoo and any other search engine.

I just did it. Freaky.

Pretty cool, all your changes are made in near real-time. I updated a current listing, and there's options to have them mail you a postcard, or make a call to that business.

I chose the call, and then picked, 'Call Now'. (As opposed to 5 min from now).

No sooner did I click it than the phone rang. I picked it up, and a female auto-voice had me punch in a 4 digit code from my screen.

It then told me they're updating every 4 weeks, and to expect it to take that long for my changes to show.

All in all, neato. Though the instant phone call tripped the tin-foil hat wearer in me.

"Mrs. Johnson, we've traced the call TO YOUR CHILD'S BEDROOM!!1!one!!"

Seems that businesses are very easy to find now...

But what about they fix the search-engine for regular adresses?? They seem to work in USA, but I live in Denmark, and I can only search for a few very specific cities. Even though the map plainly shows a street-name or a city, it remains unsearchable... Which means that the location can't be saved, and no route can be planned for it (and I can't find anything I didn't allready know where is!). So - fix the damn core functionality, before going about making wierd advertisement functions!

Windows Live Maps

maps.live.com [live.com] has been doing most of this stuff for ages already.

When will they add...

store hours? It seems like this is the one thing that Google Maps doesn't have. You can find their address, telephone number, and numerous other things, but not what time they open or close.

Nicking our ideas...?

As per porcini.gonumber.com [gonumber.com], we have been including photos and (real time) opening hours for a while, plus coupons, price lists and/or menus. For example, no5belgravia.gonumber.com [gonumber.com]. Yes, we charge for 'listings' in our directory, but include some interesting and innovative features (many more to come) and don't re-sell data or embed any 3rd party advertising within it. Site looks boring, but is nice on a mobile device thanks to some sweet CSS and yes, we're working on a new logo! We use Google maps but hope to be different enough from them to avoid being squished. (For the geeks, gonumber.com is built using PostgreSQL and RDF for some nice metadata goodness.) One more thing, our entries end up high in Google. Try searching on 'Albertine London' in Google and see where the very top link takes you! If anyone out there wishes to partake in re-selling listings once we upgrade the service and take it Stateside, drop us a line at www.owonder.com/contact We have some cool ideas and seek top talent.

Let's hope it remains useful

Google maps is already a great way to find information about local businesses. Hopefully they won't add too much stuff, making the service less useful with clutter.

Dealing with Google frustrating

It's all wonderful except there is no way to set the business location if Google gets it wrong. I've been trying to get my office location showing the right place on Google for three years now. Emailing them doesn't work, registering with them doesn't help, pleading with them doesn't help. Arg!