Google Local Business Center is the one place that many at home business owners just do not make enough use of, which is a shame since it is a very effective way of promoting your business or service within your local area. Best of all it is completely free to list your company and it takes just a few minutes to set up.

To begin, you will need a Gmail account, if you do not already have one. You can sign up for an account here, and then head to the Google Local Business Center to get started.

Google has over a 65% market share in the internet search industry, meaning that wherever your business is located the chances are that your potential customers and clients are using a Google search for everything from finding a great place to get a pizza to searching for local businesses like yours.

Once you enter your Gmail address at the Local Business center page you are given a wide variety of options. You can enter and submit as little or as much information about your business as you want. Google will list your address, telephone number, email, website address and even a short blurb about your services but, none of the fields are mandatory.

As soon as  you have entered your basic information, Google will request a verification. This can be done over the phone in seconds. Once your account is verified your listing will show up in the local search results, complete with a Google Map and directions to your location. It generally takes 24 hours for your business to become active.

Once your account is live you can add videos, photos and links about your company. Customers can also post reviews, which may increase visibility even further.

Home business owners need all the marketing exposure they can get, and using Google Local Search is another free way to boost your business with little effort required on your part.