Google Places: Is Your Business Listed?

One of the best places that you can promote your business online is by using Google Places. Surprisingly though, very few small businesses that I talk to has ever even heard of Google Places.

What is Google Places?

Google Places is a free business platform that uses the Google location technology to help you better connect your business with local customers. Since 97% of your potential consumers search for your business services online, you simply can’t afford not to be listed on Google Places.

With a Google Places business profile you can add photos, videos, information about your business services and even create special offers and promotions for your customers. As well as this you’re able to post live updates and engage by responding to customer reviews.

Google Places also offers insights showing you detailed information on what keywords your customers are using to find you and essentially where your customers are coming from.

Your Business Listing Profile Page

In your Google Places business listing profile page your customers can access important information about what your business is about and what you have to offer; information such as business address, opening hours, current rating, photos and videos, reviews and much more.

Let’s take a short and brief 3-step guide to completing your Google Places business listing.

Step One

First of all if you’ve not signed up for a Google Places account you can do so here –

http://www.google.com/places/

The first thing you can do is select the country where your business is located and the telephone number associated with your business. If Google Places cannot find your business it will tell you in the yellow strip above the form.

Step Two

Complete the basic information form for your business the best you can, the fields will include –

• Service areas and location settings
• Hours of operation
• Payment options
• Photos
• Videos
• Additional information

Once you’re done hit the submit button at the bottom of the page.

Step Three

One you’ve completed the business listing you’ll need to validate your listing and to do this Google will send a postcard containing your verification PIN to the address you registered your business listing with.

Getting the Most Out of Your Google Places Listing

Once you’ve received your validation postcard and entered the PIN into your listing your profile will become live for visitors to see when they find your business listing whilst searching for your services online.

Here is a list of effective ways to promote and get the most our of your Google Places listing –

• Create AdWords Express Ad – PPC advertising for your business listing.
• Keep your profile up to date – If anything changes, ensure you keep your listing up to date to.
• Share updates on your page – If you’re hosting a special event or launching a new product perhaps, ensure that you share those updates on your Google Places page too.
• Analyse your insights – Ensure that you regularly analyse the analytical insights of your Google Places business listings, so that you are able to make effective changes and tweaks where it is most required.