Google Place Yourself

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Did you know that 90 % of all search engine users won’t look past page one of search results? Most people will refine the search if they do not find exactly what they are looking for on the first page. A puny 10 % will keep scrolling to page two. When you Google a specific product or service that your company provides, does your website appear on the first page? If not, you are loosing ALOT of traffic, leads and potential customers.

97 % of consumers use search engines when searching for products and services. Yet, 63% of U.S. businesses are not listed on Google places. More than half are missing out on FREE, organic traffic! It is so easy to create a listing, and it will increase your company’s value in Google’s eyes. And let’s face it, in the world of internet Google is king. If you list every physical location (if you have several) the odds of getting to that first page increase significantly. You do not have to be a B2C business to benefit from Google Places, but it does serve a more obvious purpose if you are a B2C. If I am searching for a good Japanese restaurant in my area, and I do a Google search – I will most likely go to the place that has an adress listed directly on Google. Especially if I am searching on my phone, and can’t be bothered to visit a website to find the adress. But as a B2B business you want to be listed because it will add value to your company’s website on Google, and the stronger you are the more likely you are to rank high in searches.

It is free to list your business on Google Places, and practically effortless. But don’t half ass it, because if you want to achieve better page placement there are certain steps you should take when putting yourself on the “Google map”:

  • Create a Places listing for each physical location that your company has. 
  • Complete as much information as you can in your listing.
  • Google is all about consistency. Make sure that your business name, address and telephone are listed the same as you have it listed on other local listing sites. 
  • If you have a toll-free and a local phone number, go with the local number.
  • Ensure you’ve listed your business in as many categories as applicable.
  • Don’t try to outsmart Google by appending keyword phrases to your business name. You will eventually be banned.
  • Do reserach on Google Adwords by using the keyword tool, to find out what words users are searching for in your industry. Then apply these keywords when describing your business and what you offer.
  • Add photos! These are now being displayed with your listing and will create a more positive over all impression of your business. You can also add videos, as appropiate.

Visit getlisted.com to check wether or not your business is listed on major search engines. If not, take a few minutes to click your way down the list. You won’t be sorry.