With the changing dynamics of the internet, you can find anything within a click. In fact, millions of people use Google to find places in the real world to make the process easy. Google introduced Google Places in 2010. It introduced the page for more than 50 million places around the world to allow people to make more informed decisions about where to go and from restaurants and hotels to dry cleaners and bike shops. It also includes non-business places like museums, schools, and parks which connects people to relevant information and from the best sources across the web by displaying photos, reviews, and essential facts. It also provides real-time updates and offers from business owners.
Majority of the businesses have already listed themselves o Google Places through Local Business Center. It enables them to verify and supplement their business information to include hours of operation, photos, videos, coupons, product offerings, and more. It helps them to communicate with the customers and get insights that help them make smart business decisions.
Service Areas: You can show the geographic areas you serve in case you travel to serve customers. You also have an option to keep the address private if you run a business without a storefront or office location.
A new, simple way to advertise: Businesses have a privilege to make their listings stand out on Google.com and Google Maps with tags, for a minimum amount.
Business photo shoots: Along with uploading their photos, the business in cities can also request a free photo shoot of the interior of their business which Google uses supplement existing photos of business on the application.
Customized QR Codes: From the dashboard page of Google Places, businesses can download QR code that is unique the business. QR codes can be placed on business cards or other marketing materials, and customers can scan them with their smartphones.
The business owners can post real-time updates to their Google Places. They can promote sales, a special event, or anything else they want customers to know. They can even provide extra incentive by adding coupons, including ones specially formatted for mobile phones. Google Places also offers a personalized dashboard that includes data about how many times people have found their business on Google, what keywords they used to find it and what places people have traveled from to visit the business. The dashboard allows the owners to see how the use of these features affects interest in the business and make more informed decisions about how to be found on Google and interact with the customers.
It is necessary to optimize your Google Place Page. Besides jumping to the top of the search rankings, it will help potential clients:
Visually see your location
Find your contact details fast
See your business hours
Learn what others have to say about you
Quickly find directions to your location
See what store looks like
STEP 1. Find out if your business is already rated: In case you are already listed and have access to it, jump directly to optimize section.
STEP 2. Create a new listing: In case your page is not already listed, you will have to set up one. Listing generally takes two weeks. In the meantime, you are still allowed to optimize the page so jump to the optimize section.
STEP 3. Claim your listing: If your business shows up when you search for it, click on the business name. The next screen will ask you to confirm your identity. Click the box and hit yes. Google will send a postcard to your address. The postcard will contain a pin # and instruction on how to verify that you are the owner.
STEP 4. Time to Optimize: Add the business name, address, contact information, category, business hours, photos, and introduction to the page.
STEP 5. Get your business listed in directories
STEP 6. Get people to review your business
At times simply creating or claiming and optimizing your Google My Business Page might get you ranked, however, at the bottom of the place listings. You can use Search Engine Optimization to improve the page rankings. It will ensure that you get the best rankings on Google Places.
