Google Maps Optimization for Local Search engine optimization

So I have been optimizing allot lately for one of my clients to get them into the 10,7 and 3 box for Google local results and thought I would give back to the community.

Here are the things that I have found to be true from reading the Google local help forum and my own knowledge gathered over the last 6 months or so.

Citations
Citations: Are the number 1 thing you MUST do to get a coveted A-Z balloon for your local area. Citations are local directories that "cite" your business name along with it's address.

Despite what others say you do NOT need to be in the Axciom or infoUSA database to achieve high rankings, although I do suggest that you at least submit your business listing to these companies for further "proof" of your business' physical location.

Axciom and infoUSA are considered by many to be "the" trusted sources for business' physical locations, but typically take at least 6 months for them to verify and pass your information along to Google.


Here is a list of places that I have been using for local citations:

yellowikis.wikia.com
merchantcircle.com
cityslick.net
aboutus.org
citysquares.com
google.com/profiles/
getfave.com
fastpitchnetworking.com
superpages.com
facebook.com
brownbook.net
local.yahoo.com
wikimapia.org
tjoos.com
squidoo.com
yellowpages.lycos.com
kudzu.com
crunchbase.com
naymz.com
gomylocal.com
ibegin.com
hotfrog.com
ezlocal.com
businessdirectory.bizjournals.com
busiverse.com

many local yellow page type sites, e.g. cityname business directories

Some, but not all of these sites also allow you to drop links back to your site as well. My current favorite is merchantcircle.

Reviews
Reviews are the juice that propels your site higher in the local rankings with all other things being equal.

Good reviews as well as negative reviews (at this time) can currently give you that little edge to push you into the top spots for google maps.


Complete Profile
A complete profile helps in the sense that their is literally nothing more you can add to your profile to make it any better.

Summary,
For brand new sites here is what I have found and confirmed on my own and with speaking with Google Maps Employees on the subject.

Expect it to take 2-3 full months for a brand new site to begin ranking for your specific zipcode with all the above in place(for brand new sites).

Expect it to take 3-5 full months for Google to include reviews and citations into your Google places account with the above in place(for brand new sites).

Questions/Comments/Ideas/Suggestions are welcome.