Google Local SEO: Using Google Places for "Local" Online Marketing

The reach of the internet is amazing. It is easier now for small businesses to market nationally or even internationally then at any other time in our history! Great news - right?

Yeah - unless you are a small business that relies on local traffic for support. What if you are an attorney, financial planner, restaurant owner, or plumber that does not want a national presence - or couldn’t compete for a Page One Google ranking even if you did - but still needs to connect with other businesses or consumers within your geographic area?

A Google search for “lawyer” turns up 45,200,000 results - good luck right? This while research from Google shows that 97% of consumers search for local businesses online. Pretty daunting data, however, there is good news for “local” businesses. You don’t have to compete with the other 45,199,999 lawyers for Page One.

“Google Places” allows you to instead compete with the other lawyers in your geographic area for one of the seven first page “Google Places” listings.

My Google search returned 3 paid ads at the top of the page (you can see the bottom of the last one), one organic listing for Lawyers.com, and then the Google Places listing of 7 lawyers “near Hailey” (my hometown). Even if you are not in the first 7, there is a link for “More results near Hailey” at the bottom of the list.

On the right hand side of the page, there is a map with red “pins” on it. The pins correspond to the listings and provide a location and directions to that location.

Clicking on the “name” of the Law firm will take you to their website, while clicking on the “Place Page” underneath their listing will open their “Place” page.

The “Places” page offers more information about the law firm, a link to their website, directions, transit information, a place for reviews (try to get customers to complete a Review), and a map. Clicking on the map will bring up a more detailed and interactive map.

Setting up a Google Places Page

Google Places listings are FREE and are relatively easy to set up.

The first step is to go to Google PlacesGoogle Places, then click on the “Get Started” button.

When filling out the information that follows, be as complete, yet precise, as possible. Include logos, pictures, keywords, and video if you have it - make sure that you list your phone number. The more information or content you provide, the more prominent your “Places” ranking could be.

Make sure that if your mailing address is different than your physical address (i.e. P.O. Box) that you include that in the second “address” line. Google will use that address to send a verification post card - if you do not receive mail at your physical address, but have not listed your P.O. Box, you will not be able to verify your account.

Finally, watch out for your postcard from Google; verify your account and you’re all set.

Google places is a great way to boost your local rankings. Search Engine Optimization, Pay-per-click advertising, blogging, and social media marketing are other tools that can help.

Please visit our website for more information on improving Local Search, or request a FREE SEO Website Review from an Echelon Business Consultant.

Thanks for reading. As always, comments and questions are welcomed and appreciated.