Google Places is that part that pops up on page one for many searches – it currently comprises:
- A map on one side and details of up to seven of those businesses on the other
- The map has pointers on it, showing where those businesses are located
- These details have links to the businesses’ sites and to their Places page
A Places page is like a one page, one stop shop of your business. You can use it to show where you are, the area you serve, your opening hours, payment methods, and much, much more. People can post reviews on your site, and Google may also feature reviews from other sites.
Why do you need to be on Google Places at all?
I’m not sure if you know, but Google made big changes to its search results in October 2010.
- As a result, local results take precedence over true ‘organic’ results
- Eight out of ten consumers search online at least weekly
- Over half of these people are looking for a business within 15 miles of where they live, and a Places page gives them that information very quickly
- In fact, a massive 20 percent of Google searches end up with people viewing a Places page
- …and the percentage is even higher for mobile phone users
From your point of view, the people coming to your site/premises via a Places page are much more likely to be qualified – that is, interested in what you have to offer.
Get in front of your competitors
It’s worth learning how to rank well in Places and to optimise your Places – you want:
- Targeted traffic
- Visitors who want to take action because of what they’ve seen
- To get seen in the first place – there is only room for a maximum of seven Places spots on page one. Even if fewer are showing, you won’t necessarily be up there with them unless you get your Places page sorted
Not sure how to do it?
Come on a Cinnamon Edge Places Workshop, get us to come into you, or ask your webmaster to (a) claim, and (b) sort your Places page out, making sure he or she knows how to optimise it.