I keep hearing about the marketing potential of Google Places, so I thought it best to look into what all the fuss is about. Google seems to be continually innovating and trying new avenues, and in line with their search engine, their foray into the “Google Places” product seems natural.
From what I can see, Google Places is directly targeted at local businesses, allowing them to create a free listing, so that customers searching locally may see their details, above other search results. But first, let’s see how Google describes Places.
What is Google Places?
Google Places allows business owners to update and manage their physical business location information. This information can be used to update their business listing so that it appears correctly within Google Maps and associated Google properties and search and Display Network sites.
There are obvious limitations and restrictions Google has created to protect real local listings. Such as, a business with a listing must use a local mailing address. And Google will only send a verification to the physical mailing address.
Also businesses, even if they offer multiple services, can only have 1 listing per physical location.
Why Use Google Places?
More and more people are using the internet, and especially Google to find businesses or products and services that they want or need. If your business is not optimised for the web, you could be missing out and losing business as the market shifts online.
For this reason, having an up-to-date and effective Google Places listing is imperative.
Maximising your Google Places Listing
Just like a normal website, your Google Places listing is subject to Google’s own search engine spiders. Therefore it’s important you create an effective, relevant and SEO-friendly profile of your business.
- Keyword Optimisation – If you have had keyword analysis done on your own business website to optimise it for the search engines, you should use these keywords also in your Google Places listing.
- Local - Since Google Places is all about a physical, and “local” location, it’s a good idea to mention the areas you cover in your listing.
- Your Own Business Website – It’s not surprising that as a booster to your Google Places ad, having an optimised website with regularly updated information, can increase the ranking of your Google Places listing.
- Photos/ Videos – With your listing, it’s a good idea to add as much as you can to really boost your business profile. Add up to 10 photos, and also add up to 5 videos (by using the link directly from YouTube). Visuals can really make your business stand out from the rest.
- Coupons/ Offers – Google also allows businesses to create coupons that customers can find attached to your profile, print off, and bring into your business. This is a great opportunity to motivate a new client to visit your business, with a carefully crafted promotion campaign.
It’s All Going Mobile
The mobile evolution or revolution, whichever you prefer, is in full swing. And of course, Google have positioned themselves as a key player to maintain a high share of the mobile market – with Android, various iPhone apps, and the fairly recent acquistion of Mobile Ad company AdMob.
So it’s no surprise that Google Places has its own iPhone App, Android App and BlackBerry App. This would mean your business listing would be opened up to the booming smartphone market.
In Summary
Since this service offered by Google is currently free, any business would be crazy not to jump on board. This is a great internet marketing tool, which could slot nicely into your existing online marketing plan, and run effectively along side your business website.
What do you think of Google Places? A real opportunity for businesses? Another passing Google phase? Feel free to share below.
Twitter: extremejohn
March 17, 2011 at 2:07 am | Permalink
I’ve been using Google Places and seeing results within our small business for over a year now. Awesome post.
Extreme John´s last [type] ..How to Add a Business to Foursquare
Twitter: abnormalmarket
March 21, 2011 at 2:26 pm | Permalink
@Extreme John, Hi John, Thanks for stopping by and sharing your feedback on Google Places. I’m happy to hear your efforts are seeing results.
Twitter: virtualvip
March 19, 2011 at 4:25 am | Permalink
Fiona, I liked the way you summarized this and I agree with everything you’ve said.
Still, it concerns me.
What you’ve said (and frankly, what there is to BE said) is that Google is currently/has thus far set up Places/Local to be SEO-proof.
Sure, you can do the stuff you said, but the bottom line is that the thing most entities are doing with local (ie, appending or prepending their real keywords with the locality they wish to rank for) are going to work only sparingly in Local, and darned near not at all in Places.
We’ll see . . . but I really do believe that Google’s new focus on local search is going to make SEO incredibly difficult. My company is great at it (duh, of course we are!
), and we charge fees that actually make sense, but if local is the target, well, SEO may not yet be and may never become truly viable in the way more broad SEO can be when done correctly.
Jeff Yablon
President & CEO
Answer Guy and Virtual VIP Computer Support, Business Change Coaching and SEO Consulting/Search Engine Optimization Services
Jeff Yablon´s last [type] ..The New York Times is The Top News IN The New York Times
Twitter: abnormalmarket
March 21, 2011 at 2:39 pm | Permalink
@Jeff Yablon, Hi Jeff
Thanks for taking the time to comment on our blog. That’s great that you agree with everything I’ve said.
In terms of “SEO”, maybe I didn’t explain it right. Firstly, I don’t think having a Google Places listing will really help your own website SEO. Certainly not a great deal.
Secondly, where your “Search Engine Optimisation” is improved, is in your local area, where your business listing (most likely through the connection with Google Maps), actually places your business ABOVE the standard SEO Organic listings.
This is what would make Places a SEO tool on its own. I hope that makes sense. Either way, I’m curious to see how Google’s Places service plays out, without upsetting their biggest paying customers (Adwords).
Twitter: melaniekissell
March 24, 2011 at 5:04 am | Permalink
Very helpful breakdown of Google Places, Fiona. Thank you!
We just recently created a listing on Google Places at the ophthalmology practice where I work so the “jury is still out” on what the long term benefits will be. I think this type of listing is a savvy marketing strategy, especially with the inception and booming growth, convenience, and popularity of mobile technology and apps.
The only downside …
I can’t begin to tell you how many sales calls (sales pitches) I get at the office every week from “experts” who want to set us up on Google Places — and for a pretty ridiculous fee, as well! It’s very easy to set up a listing — it’s not rocket science.
I guess there will always be people out there using any means possible to turn a buck.
Great post!
Melanie Kissell @SoloMompreneur´s last [type] ..“Tug of War” For Entrepreneurs
Twitter: abnormalmarket
March 25, 2011 at 4:01 pm | Permalink
@Melanie Kissell @SoloMompreneur, Hi Melanie,
Glad to hear you found the post helpful.
That’s great that the ophthalmology practice is trying Google Places. Do you ask new customers how they found out about you? I know that places offers some analytics, but it would need diligence to track if they call or visit due to Google Places.
And yes, I’ve heard about people selling their services to put businesses on Google Places, but so far this is only happening in the US, as far as I know…
Thanks so much for your comment.
Twitter: melaniekissell
March 25, 2011 at 4:25 pm | Permalink
I’m SO glad you asked that question, Fiona. I’ve been trying really hard to get the whole staff on board when a new patient calls to ALWAYS ask, “How did you hear about us?” or “How did you find us?”
So far, the office manager and I are the only two people who ever ask. I guess it’s hard to teach old dogs new tricks. I wish I could get the rest of the crew to understand the value of knowing which marketing tools and strategies are working best. Let’s face it. The majority of them don’t care about marketing. They’re more interested in just collecting a paycheck (if you know what I mean).
Melanie Kissell @SoloMompreneur´s last [type] ..10 Minutes of Unscripted Honesty about Blogging for Money
This is a great tool for business with physical location. According my opinion the most importan service of this tool is that can increase the business itself and SEO is a secondary role.
But many business has only online stores, or just a site.
Is there any way to take advantage of this tool without physical location?
Twitter: web_design_uk
August 11, 2011 at 4:21 am | Permalink
No Google product should be taken lightly. Whether you will benefit directly from localised searches or not, you will most certainly benefit from the added visibility on the internet. Compared to standard Google map listing, Google Places offers a more detailed profile. Features such as reviews and coupons further improve business benefits.
Internet Marketing Consultant, London´s last [type] ..8 Reasons to drive traffic to Landing Page
Twitter: bdnoman
September 24, 2011 at 8:49 pm | Permalink
Thanks for your google places information.I guess online marketing services is all about how you present your information to the global clients.
Twitter: mygoogleballoon
March 6, 2012 at 11:14 pm | Permalink
Hi,
I live in the Uk and have been helping local companies get set up on Google Places as it is a great tool.
I helped a local plumber who had no web presence at all get onto the top of page one.
There is a tile shop above him and I do not know how they there, but would love to find out.
Work in progress.
Phil Harris
Cornwall Uk