Internet Marketing

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Get found on Google for free

97% of consumers search for local businesses online. Be there when they’re looking for you with Google Places for business – a free local platform from Google.

Help your business stand out

Add photos, videos, and offers to show customers why they’ll want to choose you. Highlight special promotions, post live updates, and respond to reviews from your Places for business account.

Discover insights about your business

Learn more about your customers: What keywords they’re searching for and where they’re coming from. Armed with this knowledge, you can make better business decisions.

What is Google Places?

Google Places allows business owners to update and manage their physical business location information. This information can be used to update their business listing so that it appears correctly within Google Maps and associated Google properties and search and Display Network sites.

In 2009-2010, Google Places was launched and it rolled out throughout the country. Different cities saw it at different times. So what is Google Places you ask? That is a great question. First let’s make sure you understand what Google Maps is/was. Most people do. It is exactly what it says it is,-a map. Google would display what was known as the map section just below the paid ads at the top of the page. Usually there were anywhere from 1-7 listings. Underneath the map section is where the organic results were displayed. The organic results took up the bulk of the page. Those who had the strongest SEO in place are the pages that were displayed. So what changed?

Google somewhat merged the maps and the organic section for “local searches”. They actually created a new search filter (like their image and shopping searches) for local businesses. Google Places gives a small page to every business that they find, whether you directly sign up for one or not. This is known as your Google Places page or listing. Unlike the maps, which had only the name and address, the places listing serves up all sorts of information on the business such as hours open and forms of payment taken. You can enter a 200 character description as well as add ten images and five videos. The videos must come from YouTube, so know that you have to use a YouTube url to add a video. You also select your categories and add a few more details as well. Things are always changing at Google and although you can still enter all this information, they do not display it all. Just know you still want to fill everything out when you are getting set up.

Another thing you see with Google Places is online reviews. This is very important. If you are looking for a business, it’s very helpful to see what type of reviews they have from real consumers who have used that product or service. Reviews come from online directories and review sites. You are probably familiar with Angie’s List and some others, but there are hundreds of directories and review sites out there. Google looks to see what sites have reviews about your business and they display that right on your listing. Customers can also review your business straight through Google Places. It is very important to monitor your online reputation.

Google Places can be one of the most powerful forces in your Internet marketing if you help it reach its full potential. If you are a local business, make sure that you take hold of this opportunity to help your business grow.