Google map listings are what you see when you do a Google search for a local business. It is one of the most powerful tools you can use for your business – if you do it right since many as 70% of online searches turn out to be for local businesses, products, and services.
Google spotted this trend and is leveraging and featuring local results at the top of search results pages.
These pages are already indexed and, in most cases, show up on page one. In Actuality, many business owners who are just learning about this tool are shocked to see their business is in the top spot – and they haven’t even completed their profile yet.
If you optimize your profile, you’ll see your listing’s effectiveness skyrocket.
The first basic to maximize the power of your Google Places for Business page is to;
Provide Complete Information
By completing your profile, you’ll make it easy for your prospects to get the information they need and want about your business. This boosts your odds of them becoming your customers.
Make sure you include the following:
- Hours of operation
- Brands you carry
- Special offers, coupons
- Photos, videos
- Links to your website, blog and social media profiles
After this, there’s still a lot more you can do to turn it into a traffic-generation tool that dramatically increases your Google prominence.
Below are 8 tips to get the most from your listing:
- Help your new customers find you easily: Use the exact business name and precise address to describe your business and location.
- Make it easy for them to call you: Always use a local phone number answered by a real person. You could also show them your site. List a link to your website.
- Categorize your business: Google Places gives you several to choose from. Be as specific as you can – if you find one with your keyword, that’s even better.
- Make your listing irresistible: You’ll be able to use your keywords and your unique selling proposition in the “Description and Custom” fields for your business.
- Let them see you: You can upload photos and videos to add even more credibility to your listing. People love to get as much info as possible about your business before calling, and this adds a bit of a personal touch and helps them feel like they know, like, and trust you.
- Don’t be shy: Publicize your positive reviews and testimonials by asking your happy customers to leave a review for your business on your Google Places for Business page. This will help get “social proof” working in your favor – people like doing business with businesses people like.
- Make a deal: You can offer coupons and special deals to visitors to your Google Places for Business listing. This alone is a great way to pull in new customers. Make sure you let them know they found the deal on your Google Places for Business page.
Follow these tips for all of your online business profiles. Keep them updated and optimized to get maximum impact in the search engine results. It takes a bit of time and attention to stay on top of this, but it’ll pay off.
