Google places (formerly known as Google Maps) is a business listing on Google that shows up in top search results for geographic search terms. For instance, if you’re business is a law firm and you focus on dui cases, your Google places listing would show up at the top of searches for your city and the term “dui attorney”. Google places is based on zip code and geography. Where your Google places account ranks depends on your location and how you have your Google Places account optimized.
How do I get my business listed in Google Places?
First, search Google using your business name. If you see your business places page listed, you will see a small thumbnail next to your listing in the search results or a red tear drop next to your name alongside a Google Map. If you haven’t already, you will have a chance to claim you business listing. This is typically a slow process as in most cases Google will need to send a postcard with a verification code in order to activate or give you access to your places listing. This is to prove that you are associated with the address on the listing.
Here are some of the features of a Google Places Listing:
- Designate Your Business Service areas: If your business travels to serve clients or customers, Google lets you select the geographic areas your business serves. If your business does not have a storefront or an office location, you can make your business address private.
- Photos. Google allows you to upload photos of your work, products, logo etc.
- Business categories. Google allows you to list your business in up to five business categories.
- Store Hours. Post your business store hours
- Reviews. You clients can post a review of your services.
- Video. If your business has videos, you can add your company video(s) to your listing
Google continues to add functionality and emphasis to its Google Places listings. For do it yourselfers, Google provide online help for Google Places.
Trumpet Marketing Group, LLC helps clients with website design, search engine marketing and promotion. We help clients set up and optimize their Google Places. As Google places more emphasis on places listings in search results, it becomes a critical piece of any businesses online marketing strategy! Aside from Google Places, other search engines like Bing & Yahoo offer similar opportunities to promote business through local listings and maps.
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Eighty-eight percent (88%) of all sales and website traffic originate from the search engines. If your business can't be found, you're likely losing business! TMG helps businesses of all sizes gain visibility with the search engines! We've been promoting websites to search engines for over ten years and know what it takes to get to the top!
