Local Search Marketing
Put Your Business on the Map
Google Places has made it incredibly easy for web users to find businesses online. Claiming your listing in Google Places is an essential part of your internet marketing campaign, whether you are a local business owner or a global player. This strategy of local search marketing will make your business more accessible to potential customers and improve your organic search results.
Local Business Gone Virtual
If web users perform queries on local business in Google Search or Google Maps, Google will present them with a virtual map. On this map little read tags mark the relevant local businesses. Click on the tags and you’ll open a page dedicated to this specific business.
On this Place Page you, the business owner, can add loads of relevant information, making it easy for the prospective customer to find out what your business is about and organize their way right to your doorstep.
A Google Places Page includes:
- Your business’ physical address
- A link to your website
- Photos and videos
- Business hours
- Categories and description
- Business details and special offers
- Transport and directions
- Reviews
Google Places itself also has some amazing features, such as a virtual tour of the area. If you select the Street View of a business, Google puts you right in the street, where you can turn in all directions making it giving you a 3-dimansional impression of the area.
Effects on Organic Search Results
Google is in the process of blending local search results into their organic search results pages. This is increasing the weight of a skilfully crafted Google Places Page on organic search results. For one your Google Places listing will improve your organic ranking.
The other positive effect is that the Google Places listing is merged into the information displayed in organic search results increasing your company’s exposure. Your website will now be displayed with the usual title and description as well as contact details, ratings, reviews and a thumbnail picture.
Why You Need Google Places
The internet is a great opportunity to research before making a purchase. Actually MasterCard research shows that 69% of South Africans use the internet for researching before they purchase. Google Places is user friendly, visually appealing and delivers relevant and practical information. Google presents all relevant businesses in the area allowing the prospective customer to make an educated choice.
Some benefits of Google Places:
- Expose your business to a relevant target market
- A Place Page is free of charge and highly effective
- Use the dashboard for your market research
The dashboard of your Place Page allows you to see the details of how people found your business on Google Places. The number of visitors, times, dates and even location as well the keywords provide valuable information on your target market.
Biggestleaf uses Google Places as an integral part of our Search Engine Optimization Strategies. If you are interested in Google Places or any of our other services, please contact our consultants today.
