If there is one thing that Google should be given credit for, beyond making arguably the best search engine on the Web, is the ability for businesses to easily market in new channels. The secret success to AdWords is the ease of use. No high-end imagery, just well thought out text. They are now doing the same for other markets. Their latest area is coupons.

By adding coupons to the Google Maps application, Google has just released yet another way for companies to market, this time on a much local level. For years I have been hearing the rumblings about local search marketing, but this is the first time I have seen anything substantial come from it. And I’m not surprised that the source is Google.

Businesses looking to take advantage of the Google Maps coupons can simply go to the Google Business Center and sign up. Once again, the simply need to put together a well thought out text description of their offer, and they are in business. It’s hard to imagine that there is any company that wouldn’t think this is a good idea. The ability to market to people getting directions in an area is about as targeted as you can get. This should be a real win for local marketers. And as a consumer, I am much more likely to use Google Maps not just for directions, but now to find restaurants, hotels, local stores, etc…

This one just makes sense. I look forward to see Yahoo rip the idea off.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 15th, 2006 at 4:02 pmand is filed under Internet Marketing(t) , Search Engine Marketing(t) . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.