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Provide FeedbackRecently, Google Local
Business Center changed its name to the more appropriate Google Places
as any place, not just businesses, can have a listing. It made me wonder
how many places have actually claimed their page on Google, so I did an
experiment. I searched for local businesses in the
Indianapolis area and discovered some shocking results. Only one in five
has claimed their page!
To determine if your page has been
claimed, go to Google Maps and search for your company by name. When you
find it, click on the "more info" link and it should take you straight
to your Place Page. In the upper right hand corner, if it says
"Owner-verified listing" somebody in your organization has claimed your
page. If it says "Edit this place" or "Business owner?" it is unclaimed.
If
your business hasn't claimed your Place Page yet, here are five reasons
to get the ball rolling:
1) Details and Posts
This is the
main section with basic information such as hours of operation, address,
phone number, and public transportation routes. Be sure to thoroughly
fill out the description field with your main keyword phrases. One cool
feature you will find here is the ability for business owners to post to
the Place Page. Posts are limited to 160 characters, but it gives
Google users recent updates about your business whether you're promoting
an event or selling new products.
2) Photos and Videos
Photos
and videos are a great way to enhance your Place Page. Only business
owners who have verified their business can upload photos and videos,
but they can also come from various sources on the web. Businesses are
limited to 10 photos and 5 videos for each listing. It's always a good
idea to have a picture of your logo, an exterior shot of your location,
and a few smiling faces.
3) Coupons
Coupons are great for
turning potential clients into customers. This feature lets you
publish online coupons - with or without the scissors. When you add a
new coupon to your Place Page, by default it will be available on mobile
devices with a specially-formatted page displaying details for
redemption. Users are welcome to do it the old-fashioned way with ink
and paper as well.
4) Reviews
A positive review can do
wonders for your company. In Google Places, reviews can come from Google
Map users, third-party providers (like Trip Advisor or Urban Spoon),
and can also be collected from the web. Of course, you need to prepare
yourself for potential negative reviews, but you do have some measure of
control over the content once you claim ownership.
5) Nearby Places You Might Like
Google doesn't limit suggestions by similar characteristics, instead
listing places you might find interesting. For example, I use Google
Maps to find movie theaters on vacation. If I find a theatre next to a
McDonald's, and a theatre next to a Five Guys Burgers and Fries, I'm
going to the one next to Five Guys.
Google's
Place Page is an amazing tool for your business - and it's free! Invest
some time and energy and turn your Place Page into an asset for your
business.