Google Places is one online profile that you definitely want to set up for your small business. It is totally free to do so, and since this profile will show up in search results (at the top), you really need to have one. To really optimize your Google Places listing you should spend a little time working on your business profile.
Check for Accuracy
First, check to see if you have a listing yet and to find out if it is up to date and accurate. Besides the basic information, Places gives you the option to add custom information. One great idea is to add images or even video to your listing. You will usually be listed amongst other similar businesses, so this is a great way to grab attention and bring people to your website.
You also want to make sure your business location is set up properly. With the new version of Places, you can choose a region that your business operates in, so that your business will show up in searches throughout that region, and not just in your home town. Make sure that you have chosen your region properly to get the most exposure on Google search results.
Get Ready to be Searched
Next, you want to make sure that you have an accurate category selected for your small business. This will help Google to show your business with the correct search results. You can create a custom category if you need to, but if you fit into one of the standard categories be sure to choose it.
Google suggests that you pick as specific a category as possible. This is a quote from Google’s official documentation: “Don’t be afraid to choose specific categories instead of broad ones. The important thing is that the categories are accurate and describe your business well. Google’s search algorithm makes sure that users looking for “Book Stores” will see businesses in more specific categories like “Used Book Stores,” “Comic Book Stores,” and “Rare Book Stores” too.”
You should note that Google will use the category as part of the data to bring your listing up for search results. Another set of data that is important is what you include in the rest of your profile, so be sure to fill it out completely and focus on important keywords. Finally, Google will search whatever website you link to your profile for additional search data, so be sure to link your main website to your Google Places Profile
The World Wide Web
Google is a search engine, and it pulls in information from all over. Having a strong Google Places profile will help your small business be found online. Making sure your information is up to date there is important, but it is also important to update your business information on other profiles and on any websites that talk about your business. Google will scour the web for accurate information about your business, so don’t let old information stay up on a website or business profile.
Accurate information will improve your business’ search ranking. Another thing that will help your ranking is if Google can find reviews or blog posts about your business. This is why it is important to ask happy customers to post positive reviews of your business online, either on review sites or even on personal blogs. These reviews will improve your search rankings, according to Google.
Spread the Word
One nice thing about Google Places is that many smaller business directories use its information. You don’t necessarily have to go to each small business directory and update your profile. You can focus on Google Places and a couple of other big sites and that information will be spread out amongst the masses.
Setting up your Google Places profile will help people find you and will improve your overall search rankings. Doing so will take a few minutes out of your day, so what are you waiting for?
