Google Launches Self-Service Local Biz Center

This morning, following in Yahoo!'s footsteps (Local Listings) to a degree, Google announced the "Google Local Business Center." It's a free tool for businesses to add or update their business listings that appear in Google Local.

Though the new site, local businesses can add or edit information about their address, phone number, hours of operation, type of cuisine, payment accepted, website and email.

It's an effort to build and improve the quality of the local database. It's also something of a nascent marketing channel into the SME market.