• Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Starter
      • Free Website
    • Main Course
    • Dessert
    • Coffee & Biscuits
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • Testimonials

sm-facebook  sm-twitter  sm-pinterest  sm-youtube  sm-rss  sm-email                   m-1 m-2  m-3  m-4

Subscribe to blogSubscribe via RSS

The Website Waiter

Blog from The Website Waiter

  • Home
    HomeThis is where you can find all the blog posts throughout the site.
  • Tags
    TagsDisplays a list of tags that have been used in the blog.
The Website Waiter
PostedbyThe Website WaiteronThursday, 17 October 2013
  • Font size:LargerSmaller
  • 0 Comments

Free Google Places Page for local businesses

Not many people know that Google have given them a free webpage for their business – and will provide one if not already there.

1-website-design-walsall

If you type in a type of business (or actual business name) and your town in Google search box, for example “hairdressers Walsall”, you not only get your ‘normal’ search results of websites, but notice the list of actual real-life businesses at the top (or side) with a red flag next to them, and then a map to the right with these flags on it.

2-web-site-design-walsall

Now click on either a red flag or link below each one called “Google review” or “Google+ Page” and you’ll come to a page of information about that business on Google, including contact details, description, location map, and maybe even photos. You can also search under the “Maps” part of Google, and click the “more info” link on the pop-up box on the map.

This is Google being very clever – over the last few years it has collected data on every real offline business in the world with an address, and given them this opportunity to be online, whether or not they already have a website.

Even if they already have a normal website, it’s critical for every business to make sure they have their free Google Places page claimed and setup. One example of how useful this is. is when people search for your type of business online, and this Places page coming at the top of search results above the normal websites.

Another reason is that your Places page links to a Google Plus account, which is Google’s version of a social networking site like Facebook or LinkedIn. It can then help any social-media strategy you have.

Anyway, back to the Google Places page – here’s 5 critical things you need to do to claim and improve your free opportunity to be at the top of the world’s most popular online search engine:

1. Try and find your existing listing – then click the “manage this page” link on the right at the bottom near “Is this your business?”  to go through a procedure with Google to validate that this is really yours (this involves Google actually phoning you or sending a ‘code’ in the post to your address).

3-google-places-walsall

2. If you can’t find your business, click www.google.com/places to create a new one, and go through a similar procedure with Google to validate that this is real.

4-web-design-midlands

3. Once you’ve claimed your Google Places page (by this time you’ll have needed to create your own Google account), then edit and update it, like your own profile on say Facebook. Add descriptions, new pictures, check contact details, even upload video clips of your business.

5-website-design-midlands

4. Keep an eye on who actually visits your Places page – there is a section of your page where you can see behind the scenes how it performs.

6-google-pages-walsall

5. Keep updating it every so often, for example some new photos, and adding special offers you have on at the moment or ‘coupons’.

7-google-pages-places-help-walsall

If you’d like any help and advice on this, then do contact me. I offer the ‘Google Place Pudding’ dessert from The Website Waiter ‘menu’ of services, which will help claim and correctly setup your Places page, and make sure that it is not only updated for people to look at but to be ‘optimised’ with Google so it appears more and more in people’s searches, and links nicely with any existing website or social-media profile you have.

Last modified onThursday, 17 October 2013
Tagged in:internet marketingwebsite design
  • Subscribe to this entry
  • Print
  • Bookmark
  • Report this post
  • Related Posts
  • Social media for emergency help - The Website WaiterNov 22
  • Survey Reveals SMEs Attitude To Growth - The Website WaiterJan 20
  • How The Rich Like Reading - The Website WaiterMar 14
  • Google can now forget you - The Website WaiterJun 05
  • 3 ways to help with a client's customer support - The Website WaiterJun 20

Comments

  • No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment

Leave your comment

Loading
GuestMonday, 18 January 2021

Testimonials

Read More >>

FREE Starter

free-starters-video-screen-shotFree info & consultation to get you started - Click Here for the Free Starter

Latest Blog Posts

Being Wary of Directories Like Yell and Thomson
The 4x4 Business & Digital Tips For Business Start-Ups
Making the Best of Images & Photos on Websites
The Mystery of SEO Explained in 4 Ways
10 Must-Have Factors in Website Design and Online Marketing for Churches, Ministries, and Christian Organisations
Choosing the Right Website Domain Names
Your Free Google Business Listing
How to Get the Most Out of Website-Related Emails
7 More Reasons for Google
3 ways to help with a client's customer support
The rite price (& website)
Online deliveries gone wrong
3 ways to help get rid of rubbish
Old trams showing new ways
Why Your Website Costs May Upset HRMC – New Guidance Revealed
3 ways to not get frustrated with utility company phone calls
Recruitment consultants, please make your website simpler
Free monthly website - Tony's Garden Services
Google Releases University Searches With Interesting Trends
3 steps to find the right local business

The Website Waiter  Free Starter  Feedback  Contact Us  Sitemap         All Rights Reserved