Google’s Local Business Center a Serious Threat to Existing Online Yellow Pages Directories

If you click on the “Business Solutions” link on Google’s homepage, you’ll find information about the various revenue generating programs, advertising opportunities and productivity tools that Google offers to the general public. You will also find two separate text links to Google’s Local Business Center displayed under the headings “Get listed on Google Maps” and “Put your information on Google”.

And although Google’s Local Business Center isn’t billed as an online yellow pages directory, that’s exactly what it is. Google now allows local business owners to add their business name, address, phone number, email address, website URL and business description to its business database. This information is then displayed, at no charge, on Google Maps, and more recently, Google’s web search results.

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Business Center: Your Ticket to Success

Many new business owners find they aren’t prepared for the decisions that have to be made at startup. Are you starting a business with a limited budget? What about your office space? Will you work from home or rent a space somewhere else? What about preparing a business plan and budget?

Many new business owners are using a business concept called a business center to solve the problem. A business center is a service that provides key features of an office such as a business mailing address, phone number, fax and part-time office access. Some services even offer online tools such as web conferencing and document repository. The advantages include low-cost access to these items when you need them and a simple way to receive phone calls and faxes from your clients.

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