Comments on: Get Listed! Tips on Google Local Ad Listings

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:45:54 +0000

I set up my business listing on Google and it has proved very useful to me. Last year I did very little advertising (pretty much none) and I still had many inquiries into the school thanks to Google. Plus anything that helps you appear more professional is a great idea…and it’s free!

By: Sarah Luebke

Sarah Luebke — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:59:37 +0000

Hi Catherine,

You’ve raised a great point! This option for advertising is not for everyone. Security is quite important when advertising your home business. I work out of my townhouse, and when advertising publicly, I do not give out my townhouse number, only the street address. Students who have a scheduled appointment and speak with me will receive the full address and directions before the lesson. One of the first things I did before moving into my current townhouse was to make sure I could run lessons out of my home. I had already been teaching for several years, and since I began teaching full time out of my home, I needed to make this was allowed. I have found the Google listing to be helpful getting my studio name out there, so it works for me. But I think it is smart to consider if a public listing could shut your business down because of zoning laws and condo codes. Good luck!

By: Catherine K. Brown

Catherine K. Brown — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:29:25 +0000

Hi Sarah, I recently looked into submitting my teaching studio to Google but ultimately decided against it.

My reasoning was that I teach out of my condo and didn’t want my private address to be public. Also, I’m not completely sure if home businesses are allowed in my condo complex. (I believe my township allows them, and I haven’t heard that they’re forbidden in the condo complex, but I’m afraid to ask.)

How do you and others feel about the privacy issues here? Does anyone else have zoning problems to consider? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!