It may surprise you the many small businesses do not understand that they can get free advertising through Google Places for Business. Google is always looking to expand it’s reach in local search. Google Places is one method that allows businesses/companies to create a free listing that will benefit them in the search engine results.

Is this a benefit to you? Definitely, yes. This allows you to advertise your business on Google absolutely free of charge. This not only helps your local business get found through different search engines; this can also help you get more leads in your traffic. This in turn results in more customers and conversions over time.

Are you ready for some free advertising on Google?

Consider this example:

When you search “Hotel Springfield Missouri”, The Double Tree Hotel is the number one ranking result in Google places. When hovering over this result, you will see all the pertinent information displayed on the right that is related to your sought out Google Places search.

Included are reviews, hotel information, and pictures of the hotel and the surrounding area. Not too bad for being free is it?

What You Will Need For Google Places Advertisement – Listed below 

• A relative description of your business
• Your current phone number, business address, or any other contact information you want to advertise

• I high-quality logo or image that represents you or your business (for example: some people use pictures of their storefront, inner office, or restaurant)

Note: For best results, logo images need to be in a square dimension. I.E. 200×200.

• Coupons and special offers you can advertise (Google will also let you use a coupon for FREE if you would like)

From within editing your listing, you will want to include any relevant information about your business, and what you think will attract people/customers to your company. To set up a Google places listing simply follow these steps:

Step 1: Set Up Account

Visit http://www.google.com/places/ to set up your free Google Places business listing. Next, you want to click the ‘get started now’ button.

Step 2: Fill Out All Information Correctly

Google places will need to be filled out based on percentages. It’s best to fill out 100% of your businesses information. As you fill out your information, Google will then place a “live” version of your listing on the right hand side, so you can see it as others would see it in the search results. As you complete your information, Google will generate the advertisement on the right along with your geographical mapped image. It’s best keep the description short into the point, along with capturing your main ideas and concepts for your business or services.

It’s best to make sure that you include your phone number and email address which will enable people who are interested to contact you in order to learn more about your products and/or services. The volume of people that can see this listing could be large, so make sure that your current contact information is kept up-to-date, and checked regularly for accuracy in order for your potential customers/clients interests.

Step 3: Specify The Location Your Services Are Provided

Does your business provide services at the customer’s location(s)? Or do you service your clients/customers at your business location? Check the box yes or no accordingly.

If you service your clientele at their location, you will be allowed to provide the service area radius. You can also then list area served by city and state.

Step 4: Indicate Your Operational Hours

Another aspect of a superior Google Places advertisement is that your hours of operation are correct. Often times people are searching for your business, they’re looking to see when you are open, as Google allows you to include this directly into your business listing.

Step 5: Specify Your Payment Options

If you sell your products or services online directly to customers, you will have the option to enter your specified payment options. You will be able to include the following payment types:

Step 6: Include Engaging Visuals

You are allowed to include up to five YouTube videos from specified URLs. That’s right, five. These could be videos that you’ve had produced for your product/services, or Creative Commons videos that simply relate to your product. Including engaging videos can be the best way to capture audience’s attention.

Step 7: Inputting Additional Information

Including additional information is optional, but very important for your potential customers. The more information you include, the more informed and prepared your viewers will be if and when they decide to visit your business. These details can include geographical information about your business if it’s hard to find, to information about specific products or product lines that you carry. These can also be service related products.

Step 8: Validate Location

Here you will be able to enter your country and phone number. Keep in mind that you will need to connect this to a valid number in order to authenticate your businesses account. In some cases, you will need to receive a letter from Google (with a pin number), which you will then enter into your listing upon receiving it in the mail (up to two weeks). Your Google Places account will then be connected to your Google account once validation occurs. The reason for the validation is to avoid fake listings.

Well done. Now you can enjoy your FREE listing courtesy of Google! If you are a small business owner and an SEO/Marketing plan is not within your budget, this could be one free step in the right direction for you. However if you’re in the market for such a plan, you can consult us and we will get started for you right away.

 
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Google Maps now offers local businesses the availability to be featured in a 360 degree pan view of their store front on their Google Maps Places/Plus page, and in regular Google Search.

This in turn will allow searchers to view and determine if they want to click through to your website, or visit your store location.

To learn more about this service and how
it can benefit your business, contact us today.

Oursmartweb Google Places

SEO has become a crucial element in running an online business. Some of the best ways to enhance Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is to hire a professional to take care of both Web Design and professional SEO. If you are looking for either Web Design in Springfield Mo or SEO services, you have come to the right place. You can even take advantage of an entirely new form of SEO to help get your business the proper exposure, by using Google places in order to market your business and help others find you.

Putting your company up on Google Places is a fairly easy process but by hiring a Springfield MO team for SEO and Web design, you can be sure that Google places is well integrated into your site and getting you customer interaction.

Google Places allows users to rate their experience with a business. A customer on a smartphone could potentially rate their experience with your business even from within your business and at the point of sale, or shortly after. With a list of good customer reviews, your business could potentially come up first in the listings, when it comes to a user searching your keywords related to your business.

The pin for your location will appear directly in correlation with any Google Map. Because Google Maps are used in conjunction with many GPS devices and smartphones, if someone is on the go and searching for a business they are more likely to find you if your business is on Google Places.

The advantages that a proper SEO service can provide, is a way to take your Google Places page to the next level. A proper SEO campaign will make sure that your place is shared amongst users and that it maintains a high ranking among your competition. By making sure that it is your business that is appearing via a Google Places or Google Maps search, it will ensure more business because users will find your business via search results, before the competitor.

A good Web Design service, can also integrate the Google Places page for your business into your existing website which will let visitors to your site, directly access the map and review portion of your Google Places page. All of the positive reviews and graphics that are placed on the page will be accessible and linked right through your own website, giving you quality testimonials and free advertising for the quality of your business.

A great SEO will also walk you through the steps it will take to make a standout places page. Standing out from your competitors is easy. By consulting with Web Designers you have them create a very professional looking places page that will do wonders for your business.

The advantage to having a Google Places page for your website is that users can find your business much faster, and it offers up yet another way to advertise your business for free. However without proper promotion, engagement from customers, and graphic design, it is possible for your Google Places page to be looked over. By getting the proper help of a great SEO and Graphic Design Service, you are sure to see a massive difference in your business, leads, and sales. Tremendous results can occur just from having an experienced Web Designer or SEO expert create, claim, and manage your Google Places Page.