For some of you this may be “better late than never” especially if you’ve already read my post on creating a Google Maps Listing. If so, you can still use this information to tweak your listing.
A great “over the shoulder” resource showing exactly how to set up Google Places can be found here.
LOCAL AND REGIONAL BUSINESSES MUST PAY ATTENTION — SET UP A GOOGLE PLACES LISTING IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY!
85% of people searching for local businesses choose the Google Places listings. While Google Places listings don’t
show up for every keyword, they do show up for the most fertile.
If you’re unfamiliar with Google Places (often called Google Maps) listings, type in “Auto Repair Charlotte NC” in the Google search window and notice the series of Google Places listings at the top with the little red upside down teardrop next to them.
Go here to set yours up: http://www.google.com/places/
If your business has multiple physical locations then set one up for each!
Include as much information as possible in your listing. Make it complete. Include your hours of operation, payment methods, actual address and phone number, etc.
Include a Keyword in your business name if possible – “Achieve National – An Omaha Training Company”
The easiest way to do quick keyword research for this purpose is to use the Google Keyword Tool: http://www.google.com/keywordtool.
While jotting down your keyword list, pay attention to:
1) Keywords that actually match what you do.
2) Local Monthly Searches
3) Competition (the less green, the better!)
An example of a local market keyword search is “Auto Repair Nashville” or “Nashville Auto Repair.” I would choose the highest volume keywords that pertain to your business first, and worry about the competition rating secondly.
Create categories based on your most searched keywords – ie/dallas collision repair or dallas auto painting. You can create 5 categories total, but just one has to be a Google specific. The others you can create using keywords and your city/state.
Obviously include keywords in your description. I recommend including your 10 best and make sure to end your listing with your city and state. Your description should convey what you’re going to do for the customer. Make it enticing and trustworthy sounding, not simply a place to boast about how long you’ve been in business and how successful you are.
Upload photos and videos.
Put in a “specialty item :
You can add several specialty items. Whether you truly offer a specialty item or not ALWAYS add Areas Served..Kansas City, MO, Kansas City Metro Area, Overland Park, etc., all in a row in one blank within the specialty item area. This can help you gain regional coverage outside your city!
MAKE SURE TO HAVE AT LEAST 5 REVIEWS ADDED ONCE YOUR LISTING IS PUBLISHED! Bear in mind, publishing could take several days because Google will want to verify your listing over the phone or by a mailed postcard.
Once published, jot down the link to your listing and ASK YOUR BEST CUSTOMERS TO LEAVE YOU REAL REVIEWS – NOT FAKE REVIEWS: Google can tell by the IP address when reviews come from the same PC or office network. The reviews should come from individual customer’s computers!
You could even put this on your website, in emails to customers, or on your Facebook page.
“IF YOU LIKE THE WAY WE SERVED YOU TODAY, PLEASE GO TO
Add a Google Coupon right on your Google Places page. Google makes this easy to do and it’s effective!
Create Backlinks to your Google Places listing
Use IMAutomator, OnlyWire, Reddit, Digg, FolkD, StumbleUpon, Mixx, Hubpages, squidoo, etc. Most people know to create backlinks to their site, but rarely to the Google Places Listing. So this little secret will give you a big edge over time.
1. Keywords in Company Description
2. Add Photos
3. Multiple Reviews
4. Add a coupon
5. Add Video(s) – optional
6. Build Links to your listing
7. Keywords in Company Name (optional)
To make things easier check out #1 in Google Places in 34 Days for quick video training on how to maximize your listing.
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Thanks for some great tips on optimizing your Google Places page. Have you had any problems with Places using third party feeds for an accounts primary photo and not being able to delete it?