Google is continuing its effort to provide small businesses with new and affordable ways to advertise online. Google’s new Local Business Center now allows businesses to enter their information (basic company info) to be displayed on Google Maps when a user searches for that business or a product that business offers.

For businesses trying to focus on the local market, the new Local Business Center acts something like an online Yellow Pages and advertising tool.

For example, a user searching on Google Maps for my company, Agency Fusion, will see a list of matching results with my company at the top. My company’s location shows on the map and if the user clicks on the “Details” tab they’ll see a description of the services we offer.

Click this thumbnail to see a larger screenshot of our listing.

Google has also announced that in addition to providing these “about us” listings they’ll also allow a business to offer printable coupons with their listing. The coupons don’t show up on the map but under the listing on the left side of the page instead.

Click here to see an example of a coupon.

It’s certainly not going to take over direct mail coupons but if you have a client who wants to promote a product or service online, this is one more angle. The new generation of shoppers is increasingly going online first and local businesses who embrace that fact will fare better in the long run.

For you and your clients adding a listing and/or coupon to the Google Local Business Center is a no-brainer. The best part? It’s entirely free.
I also wrote earlier about Google adding advertising and coupons to the popular Google Earth program.

Read more at Red Herring.