Internet Marketing Basics: Search Listings vs. Map Listings vs. Paid Listings (2025 Update)

What You Need to Know: Search Listings vs. Map Listings vs. Paid Listings

For internet marketing, Google divides its web site into three major areas:

1. Map Listings (Local Optimization)
2. Search Listings (SEO)
3. Paid Listings (PPC)

For you noobs out there, this is a quick chart about the three areas. (And no shame in being a noob, we’ve got you covered!)

About Map Listings

Google maps integrates known yellow page data into their listing service. Add your company via their webmaster tools section and edit your listing.

About Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Listings (SERPS)

The search engines have a listing referred to as search engine optimization results pages.

About Sponsored Listings & Paid Advertising

Sign up for a Pay-Per-Click account (PPC) via Google Adwords. You can bid on keyword phrases, set a budget and write creative advertisements.

Looking for More Information?

View the PDF of the”  Search Listings vs. Map Listings vs. Paid Listings.

7 Things to Avoid in Your Law Firm Internet Marketing Efforts

1. Only do SEO. We always advise clients, even to our own financial detriment, that they not put their entire budget into SEO. We have turned away clients who only want to focus on SEO because those business models are risky. You must build an overall online and offline marketing presence. Make SEO part of the process, but not the entire process.
2. Instant On. SEO that is done quickly will not succeed; otherwise everyone would be doing it and ranking high. Demanding immediate high rankings from your team is not wise. Do have benchmarks and standards at 1 month, 3 month and 6 months to check on rankings. Do have multiple plans and ideas to help achieve your goals.
3. Produce Small Sites. Don’t expect high rankings with a 1-, 2- or 5-page site when you are competing in a saturated market. Sure, small sites can work for very, very niche phrases, but not for competitive phrases.
4. Write Crap Content. Too often we see content neglected. We may spend hundreds of hours on the design and build of a site, but clients give no thought to content. Don’t expect high rankings with poor content. Make sure you have a publisher who is in charge of creating quality content.
5. Set Too High Expectations. ” Set realistic expectations/goals for your campaign. That way you can dominate for your core terms and not waste your time (or money) on terms that are too competitive for your new or old site.
6. On-Page Rules it All. Thinking that on-page factors (Title tags, content, internal linking, anchor text) will be enough is dangerous. Google’s algorithm still relies heavily on authority (links to your site). You need to make sure you build authority through links to your site from other sites.
7. Use Old Methods. Using outdated technology and methods will not work in the long-term (reciprocal links, meta keyword tag, keyword stuffing). Use more modern ways of building authority (content, info-graphics, widgets, calculators, tools, and basically becoming the resource in your area).

Let us Help You Get to the Top of Google

We have a team of attorney writers and internet marketing experts who can help your law firm get to the top of Google search results. With a combination of content writing, link building, and technical excellence, we take specific steps to build credibility over time and improve your rankings. For you, as a law firm, that means more clients. Contact us today to get started and learn more about how we can help you improve your law firm website.