Microsoft announced the ability to add listings to Live Search Maps via the Live Search Local Listings Center.

To add your listing to Live Search Maps, you will first need to verify that the business is not already listed. Once you're sure you're business is not included, then your business listing needs to be associated with a Windows Live ID (which can be a cumbersome process if you don't already have one set up).

The next step is to enter in all the information about your business listing, including contact information, phone numbers and addresses, hours of operation, payment methods accepted, professional contacts, etc. Then you will need to select what business categories you can associate your listing with. Up to 6 (based in order of priority) can be selected. This is an important step as it helps Microsoft determine your relevance to user queries (business owners even have the opportunity to add keywords to improve search result relevance).

Once you have completed all the necessary listing information, it's time to place your business on the map. Using the Virtual Earth platform, business owners are able to pinpoint their location - even drag the locator pin to the proper location if it is inaccurately placed.

For those interested in leveraging every local Web opportunity, this is important and should be taken seriously.