Google has many products but the one I do Expert Professional Help and Support for is Google Places for Business.
Here you can set up a description of your entity at a location which can be a public, charity or business location.
Google have monetised the searches via Adwords Express and Adwords so there can be problems where multiple business uses of a location clash with the initial Local product which became Maps. The Maps are a layer over Google Earth which adds mapping information. Each Google Places entry has a pointer in Maps positioning it on Google Earth and linking to Street Views of your location.
To confuse matters Google Places is being served a Google+ Local pages at the moment. This is a first step to merging your entry with a Google+ Profile new local Google+ Business page.
You can either set up a Google Profile in your Places email account and then add the local Business page or wait for Google to set these up for you.
By making the move to Google+ Business pages they are encouraging you to use the social Circles on which Google+ is based.
Cheers. Andrew Huskinson. B.Sc. C.Eng MBCS CITP
0779 011 2897 (UK)
SQLPerformanceConsultant@gmail.com
Google Places eBook