Finding Customers with Google Maps: Creating a Local Listing
If you’re in B2B sales, your first question is usually the same: Which businesses in my area can I reach? Google Maps largely provides the answer to this question; businesses share their name, address, phone number, and website information publicly. WapFlow’s Google Maps tool collects this information in a list format instead of having you copy it manually. In this article, we’ll explain how to use the tool, its filters, and—most importantly—what you should and shouldn’t do with this list.
What Does the Google Maps Tool Do?
The tool scans Google Maps for business results based on the keyword and location you enter and populates a table with the selected information. For example, you can create a regional business list using searches like “Kayseri furniture manufacturing” or “Antalya dental clinic.”
The information that can be collected depends on what the business has shared on the map:
| Information | Default | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Business name, phone number, address | Selected | Basic contact information |
| Category | Optional | Can be used [kategori] can be used |
| Website | Optional | Can be used to search for emails later |
| Number of ratings and reviews | Optional | For filtering and targeting |
| Location and map link | Optional | For regional planning |
Information you do not select will not be included in the results or the guide. Selecting only the fields you will actually use is also consistent with the data minimization approach of the KVKK.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Open the Google Maps page from the left menu.
- Enter your keywords. Each word is processed as a separate search.
- Select a country, province, and district. If you select a location, each keyword will be searched in conjunction with that location; if you do not select a location, the search will be performed exactly as you entered it.
- In the “Information to Extract” section, check the fields you need.
- Use the "Number Filter" to specify which numbers to exclude.
- Select a search method and start the search. If Method 1 does not return any results, try Method 2; it retrieves the same data using a different search engine.
- Do not leave the page while the process is running. If you do, the process will stop and any unsaved data will be lost.
- Select the results and transfer them to your Contacts using “Add to Contacts,” or download them as an Excel file.
Keeping the List Clean with Filters
Filters eliminate records you won’t need from the start. Your settings are saved and can be changed at any time.
| Filter | When is this useful? |
|---|---|
| Skip entries without phone numbers | If you only want records that can be called |
| Skip 444 and 0850 numbers | Since call center numbers aren’t compatible with WhatsApp |
| Skip landline numbers | If you want to collect only cell phone numbers for WhatsApp messaging |
| Skip numbers outside of Turkey | If you’re operating locally |
| Skip those without a website or social media account | If you’re targeting businesses with a digital presence |
| Skip sponsored results | If you don’t want to include ad results in the list |
| Skip those already listed in the directory | To avoid collecting the same record again |
To collect only cell phone numbers, simply check the "Landline" and "Outside Turkey" options. You can also go back to your previous queries in the search history section.
How to Conduct a Good Search?
- Start narrow. Instead of “restaurant,” use terms that describe your specific customer, such as “home-style dining” or “breakfast spot.”
- Search by district. In large cities, province-wide searches may return fewer records than searches broken down by district.
- Try synonyms. One business might describe itself as an “auto service,” while another might use “vehicle maintenance.”
- Visually check the results. The information on the map may be outdated or incorrect. Closed businesses may still appear on the list.
Before Using the List: Important Rules
This section is the most important part of this article. Just because information is publicly available doesn’t mean you can send marketing messages to that business.
- Use only publicly available business information. Do not use the tool to collect personal phone numbers.
- A phone number may constitute personal data. Especially in sole proprietorships, the number may belong directly to an individual and may fall under the scope of the Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK).
- Commercial communication rules apply. Consent and IYS (Information and Communication Technologies Act) rules may come into play for marketing messages. Seek legal advice on how these rules apply to your specific situation.
- Review Google’s terms of service. Evaluate the rules regarding data usage in light of your own use.
- Avoid cold mass messaging. Sending mass WhatsApp messages to businesses you don’t know can lead to complaints and account restrictions.
In practice, a better approach is to use the list not for mass messaging, but to select individuals whom your sales team will call one-on-one or message personally. When making initial contact with a business, state who you are and why you’re reaching out; if they’re not interested, don’t message them again and add the number to your block list.
Transferring Results to the Contacts List and Tracking
When you transfer selected records using “Add to Contacts,” fields such as category and address are populated on the contact’s card in your address book. The contact source appears as Google Maps, allowing you to filter these records separately later.
The “Add to Flow/Campaign” option combines several steps: it converts phone numbers to international format, verifies them with your selected WhatsApp account, skips those without WhatsApp, adds them to the address book with labels, and transfers them to the flow you selected or a new campaign draft. This tool speeds up your work, but it doesn’t solve the consent issue; do not send messages to an unsubscribed audience.
To improve list quality, you can read the article on the number verifier, the article on data extraction tools for finding email addresses in records with websites, and the article on contact list management for editing records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Google Maps tool included in every plan?
Features depend on the package. Check the pricing page for the latest information.
Is it legal to use this tool?
This depends on how you use the information. Viewing publicly available information is different from sending unsolicited commercial messages to that person. Seek legal advice for your specific use.
Can I find the phone numbers for all businesses?
No. Only the information the business has shared on the map is visible. Listings without phone numbers can be filtered out.
What happens if the search is interrupted?
When the process is paused, the records retrieved up to that point remain in the table, but be sure to export them to your contacts or download them before leaving the page. If you’re not getting any results, try Method 2.
Does every business found have WhatsApp?
Not necessarily. Don’t assume a business is on WhatsApp without verifying the numbers on the list using a verification tool.
