Strategies: Advertise your business for free

— -- Wouldn't you like to get some free advertising for your business? And not just any advertising — but advertising that's in front of people exactly when they're looking for what you have to offer?

Then it's time for you to check out Google's Local Business Center. Just about every business will want to take advantage of this free advertising opportunity. Even if you don't have a website. Even if you aren't web savvy

Let me make this clear: I'm not referring to Google's "AdWords." Those are ads appearing next to listings when someone types in a keyword. You definitely pay for those. Google's Local Business Center listings are the information that appears when someone searches Google Maps, mobile, or Google 411. And that information — which serves the same purpose of an ad — is absolutely free.

What's in this for Google? When I asked this of John Hanke, Vice President of Google Earth and Google Maps, he replied, "It makes our search results more accurate." Google's goal, Hanke explained, is to be the source where people find information. To do that, Google needs reliable data.

Whatever Google's reason, this is a good opportunity for you. Let's say you own a plumbing company in Des Moines. Right now, you're probably paying a pretty penny to advertise in the local Yellow Pages. You've taken out an ad to let people know your hours of operation, your particular services or specialties.

But if someone uses Google Maps or calls 800-GOOG411 for information instead of the Yellow Pages (and ask anyone under 35 when the last time was they used the Yellow Pages), they may find the name of your company and next to it, the words "more info." Google gathers as much information as they can about businesses from many sources, but that info may be inaccurate or out-of-date.

Why not take control of that information — making sure prospects are getting accurate and extensive information — the same way they do in your Yellow Page ad? Especially since the majority of customers now look for local business information by doing searches online or on their phones.