Google Places Optimization - Get Listed On Google

If you need to find an answer to a question where do you go? Most people these days will reply Google! And why not they have all the answers, right?

Well whether they have ALL the answers is not the debate of this article, all I wanted to demonstrate is that the large majority of the population who have internet access these days rely heavy on Google and other information online to help them make decisions.

Here are some startling statistics about people doing local searches on the internet:

  • 82% of local searchers follow up offline via an in-store visit, phone call or purchase (TMP / comScore)
  • 74% of internet users perform local searches (Kelsey Group)
  • 73% of online activity is related to local content (Google)

Although the internet is a global environment, as you can see the majority of the searches preformed are for local enquiries.

As an offline local brick and mortar business this is fantastic news, and thanks to Google Places it is now easier than ever to get your business listed on the first page of Google for your keyword, even if you don't have a website!

If you are not familiar with Google Places, in September 2009 Google relaunched their Local Business Centre renamed it Google Places and introduces several new features to help small local business owners use the internet more effectively to grow their business.

It is free to list your business in Google and create a Google Places profile complete with your business marked on Google Maps, Photos and videos of you place of business, customer reviews, and a dashboard showing all activities and statistics.

Like a motor car there are things you can do to make it perform better, go faster, use less fuel, etc and your Google Places business listing is no different, there are some tricks and methods you can do that will help your business listing to appear higher up the list.

Some of these factors, but not limited to are customer reviews, keywords, correct category selection, owner verified, citations.

Google Places Optimization - Get Listed On Google

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