Whether it should be considered a blessing or a curse, having an iPhone certainly provides one with the ability to be incredibly helpful to passers-by.

Case in point: today, I accompanied my wife, Lynne, to the Lubbock courthouse while she setup her assumed name for Ahava Graphics (her new graphic design business). On our way from the parking lot to the building, a couple stopped us and asked for directions to a local business. Unfortunately, they didn’t have an address, or know the actual business name – just part of it.

My initial reaction was to say, “no, I have no idea where that is,” because, really, I didn’t know. But, instead of saying that and letting the couple carry on without any assistance, I said, “I can look it up for you, hang on,” and I pulled out my iPhone.

I opened Google Maps and did a quick location search for the part of the business name they were looking for. Within seconds, I was able to show them the screen of the iPhone and two possible locations on the map. After looking at the first location, then the second, they realized that the second location was precisely what they were looking for.

Instead of having to say that I wasn’t able to help them, I was able to provide them with the information they needed, and in a matter of seconds. Some may think Apple is an evil company, but I was certainly better equipped to do my one good deed for the day because I had an iPhone – my iPhone made me a better Good Samaritan. Just sayin’ .

There is another point to consider here, as well. Does your business have an appropriate local search presence on Google Maps? As more and more people use their smartphones and Google Maps to provide them with directions to your business or businesses like yours, making sure you are listed the right way on Google Maps will become as important as your website itself. It’s free to setup your listing the right way, and it only takes a few moments of your time. Make sure you have done this, or your competitors are likely to get your customers’ business.