Google advertising and marketing is a vital factor in business success, and Google Places makes this opportunity even more vital. The massive audience of Google Maps holds huge possibility for drawing new clients and growing a business, if used properly.
Google Places is currently one of the most effective free online marketing tools available to local business owners. Originally presented into the world as the Google Local Business Centre, it's now a crucial tool for increasing the visibility of your business on the internet and attracting local customers to your business.
Despite millions of people using Google Local (a.k.a. Google Maps) each day, it has remained free for a business owner to use!
Here's your chance to know 10 simple tips on how you can use Google Places to your advantage:
Tip 1 - Use your real Business Name
Other business owners tried inserting extra words in their business name. This has helped them get a short term foot-up in local listings but Google is clamping down on this behavior and these businesses will suffer in the future. That said you can consider adding 1-2 keywords in your name as long as it sounds natural and accurately represents your business. Here's an example:
Real business name - Fred Withers Ltd
Google Places listing name - Fred Withers Plumbing Ltd
Tip 2 - Ensure your Business Information is 100% accurate
It's important that you get your business information right. Give your prospect clients what they're looking for exactly: the correct business information. List this information correctly: business address, email, fax number, telephone number, and website. A PO box number will not work as well as a 0800 or free telephone number.
Tip - 3 Use the right Business Categories and more of them
There are 5 different categories you can list your business on Google Places. It's important that you choose your category carefully. Don't lose your listing on other categories where people are not looking for, for your business. Google will suggest categories; it's best to use 1 or 2 of them even if it looks inappropriate to your business. Other than the Google-suggested categories, add 3 more categories of your choice to leverage your business listing. There are 5 categories available--make sure you use all of them.
Tip 4 - Punchy & compelling Business Description
Despite Google's 200-characters limit on the business description, make your description perfect. The important thing is to use your most important keywords & service terms in your description. Highlight your credibility by using terms like accredited, professional, trusted, etc. on the description.
Tip 5 - Include Photos & Video
Google Places permits for 10 photos and a short video, so make sure you use them all. It's time to learn a thing or two about taking a short 1-2 minute video and selling your business to your clients. You might ask why. Because local customers love to see something from the local business itself: i.e. your logo, your display room, and even the owner himself or herself. Give your business a face and expect it to rise among its competitors.
Tip 6 - Maximize the Extra Details
Take advantage of the extra details Google Places will ask for like your opening hours, coverage areas, payment methods accepted, and available facilities. Google and your potential customers will thank you for including these specific details on your Google Places listing.
Tip 7 - Take time to complete the Services Section
At the end of each Google Places listing are the services you can enumerate. A good number of services to list is from 6-10, but you be the judge--if you feel it's relevant, then don't be afraid to add them. Be creative with your Service listings and use this area to cram in lots of relevant service keywords, but don't use location names (a big no, no!). Here is a bad & a good example:
Bad - Heating Services: Yes
Good - Heating Services: gas-safe registered, radiator repair, boiler instillation, hot water problems, fix central heating
Tip 8 - Create a unique Special Offer Coupon
Local customers love special offers and so does Google so take advantage of this feature. Create a unique discount coupon that is offered only to users of Google Places. These freebies and special offers are calls to action, which should convert browsers to real buyers of your service or product.
Tip 9 - Generate Citations
Citations are references of your business on other websites. Google uses these citations to build up a picture of your business: i.e. it uses them to figure out how trustworthy your business is. Other business owners are concerned about this fact, but it's a gold mine to those who understand the potential behind citations.
You need to get as many citations as you can. Here are 3 quick & easy ways to achieve this:
1. List your business on few more directories
2. Talk to your neighboring businesses and suppliers about the possibility of having mutual link backs of your businesses in your respective websites.
3. Make a special offer for employees of nearby local businesses and put this on a distinct part of your website--make a special page for each offer if you have to. Send details of this offer to each company in your area advertising and give them the link to the special offer page on your site. Ask them to put it on their company website if they have one. This will help generate new business directly & help with Google Places.
Tip 10 - Generate Customer Reviews
Google Places congregates online customer reviews from hundreds of online directories like Yelp.com, Qype, Insider Pages, and TripAdvisor. The result of these reviews is used by Google to determine your website's credibility. So motivate your loyal clients to write reviews about your business on these online directories or on your Google Places listing itself. But, know that it's more effective to receive reviews on online directories because not only will you reach their users but Google searchers as well.
Most clients are delighted to give 5 minutes of their time; there's no need to bribe customers to give a review--this might hurt you in return. Reviews should be genuine. Google Places now offers a way for business owners to reply to reviews so you can publicly thank a loyal client or respond to any negative comments.
Businessmen and women know that Google advertising and marketing is an important component in the success of any business, and Google Places makes this opportunity even more vital. The massive audience of Google Maps holds huge possibility for attracting new customers and growing a business, if used correctly. Astonishingly only a few local businesses are applying Google Places listing--it's your turn to try. Get Google Places listing and get a head start against your rivals before they know better!
