Another ‘golden rule’ of the digital experience is if you are doing something you think is clever and extremely useful, so are millions of other people.
Really.
Take Google Maps. I use Google Maps to get satellite images of locations in movies or that I read or hear about. I zoom in and use Street View to see what the neighborhood looks like.
When Street View isn’t available for the location I’m disappointed.
I also use Google Maps like everyone else … type in an address, click “Navigate Me” and have ‘the lady in the phone’ take me where I want to go. Don’t even need to know what direction I’m facing!
It also helps me research places to eat, what type of stores are near me and also to compare businesses by simply checking reviews, eyeing photos and clicking to their website.
I can even call them. Which leads to this use: Do you use Google Maps and Search as your Rolodex? Is that how you call your dentist office? Search their name in Google, click the ‘auto suggest’ to see their MyBusiness listing and “click to call” or “click for directions?”
You thought you were the only one?
This is why today’s consumer-facing businesses have to have their MyBusiness listing claimed and optimized and why they need a responsive website that Google ranks well.
If your competitors have done that and you haven’t you are behind and may soon be lapped.