Google Places! Where Are You?
Many people want their website to appear on page one of Google Search Results and this can be achieved through internet marketing. However, one of the easiest ways to get onto page one of Google is to sign up for Google Places.
Google Places was first introduced so that local search results could be made more relevant and this would enable businesses to create a free business directory listing with the advantage of your business appearing when a user searches this type of business.
In addition to your company name appearing a little pinpoint on a map will mark your location. Business listings are becoming important as more and more are being displayed in the search results.
Within this business listing through Google Places you can add the following information:
- Business name
- Business Address
- Business Hours
- Payment Methods Accepted
- A Website Link
- Business Photos and Videos
What you need to do is apply to Google Places and then await a pin code from Google who will need to validate your request. They do this by phone, text message or a postcode. Anyone with a Google Account can then write a review about your company on this page and it is these reviews which will provide you with a rating from 1-5 stars. It is this rating which you need to increase and build on.
To get higher positioning in Google for localised searching you need to encourage your customers to leave reviews through their Google accounts on your Business Listing page.
In addition to the reviews you need to add new photos to the account and also videos which will help increase visibility and ranking. Within the business listing itself you should include location keywords and these should also be in the listing description too.