Get Going with Google Places

Searched Google recently for a local service provider? You are not alone. Latest stats released from the Big G state that over 20% of searches made on Google are related to location.

In latest developments to its Search Engine Results Pages (SERP’s) Google has merged its Google Places listings with Organic and Paid Search listings to meet the demand for local search queries.

Take a peek:  A search for “counselling liverpool” (It’s not for me – I just have this friend that…you know…)

Note the 7 Google Places listings (A-G) before the 1st organic listing!

Google Places listings are completely free and non technical (you don’t even need a website to create one). They offer an excellent opportunity for increased exposure detailing your business name, address, phone number and services/products description.

Cash in on your FREE Google Places listing with the following hints and tips.

How to Optimise your Google Places Listing:

Get Listed: Yes. Sounds simple enough. Get yourself listed with a Google Places listing. You have to be in it to win it.

Get Verified: Prove that your Google Places listing is legitimate and “Verified by Business Owner” by claiming your listing. Listings can be claimed and verified by post card, phone or mail.

Get Reviewed: Gently prod your customers into writing reviews of your business/services/products on Google Places. Offer incentives if you have to – but get those positive reviews! Not only are they great for your reputation, they help to pad out your Places listing with relevant and real content.

Get Photographed: Show your online audience that you are physically present. Perhaps you could photograph your shop front? Take a snap of the company car? Increase the level of content surrounding your business and provide a visual point of reference for your consumers. everyone a winner.

Link to YouTube: You might be more Bollywood than Hollywood but you will have plenty of useful content about your business/service/products that will make for perfect video footage. You might want to interview customers, employees, take some action shots of people at work. What ever you fancy, what ever suits the voice and vision of your business, get it filmed and upload to YouTube. You then just need to upload the URL of your YouTube video into the given field of your Google Places listing and there you have it. Content fresh for viewing which will be displayed in SEPR’s.

Post to your Places pages: You are now granted the special gift of 160 characters which you can use to share information with your Places users. 160 character posts can be used to give customers concise and meaningful bursts of information as well as links to your website. Use your posts to detail info on special offers, new products and up and coming events. Keep a dialogue going with your consumers. Show them that the lights are on and somebody’s home.

Categorise yourself carefully: Used to classify your business, Categories are how Google determines when your Google Places listing will be displayed. You can select up to 5 categories, so its important to choose categories that describe your business accurately, be specific and accurate about what you do and the services you provide, with clear categories that tell Google and your users what it is that you do.

Google places is all about establishing a strong, accurate presence on the web. Help yourself and your business to be found online in these times of localised search by providing your users with the information that they need and want. Whether it’s through image, video, text, categories, posts or reviews. Generate content and encourage your users/customers to do the same.

Make this free tool work for you.

 

 

 

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