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Great Information on How to Do Google Places yourself... Check it out:
www.thedominatorstrategies.com
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Among the top free online marketing tools for business owners today is Google Places. Known as
Google Local Business Centre upon its initial release, it has become an essential tool in increasing
popularity of a business on the Web to attract local consumers.
And even though millions of customers are looking for local businesses using Google Local
Marketing, or popularly known as Google Maps Marketing, each day, Google offers the tool for
free.
Now is the time to learn 10 quick tips on how you can use Google Places to attract new local
clients to your business:
Tip 1 - Use your real Business Name
Some businesses have gone to extremes and stuffed extra words into their Business name. This
has helped them get a short-term foot-up in local listings but Google is clamping down on this
conduct and these businesses will suffer in the future. That said you can consider adding 1-2
keywords in your name as long as it sounds natural and accurately represents your business.
Here's an example:
Real business name - Fred Withers Ltd
Google Places listing name - Fred Withers Plumbing Ltd
Tip 2 - Ensure your Business Information is 100% accurate
Accuracy of your business information is crucial. Give your prospect customers what they're
looking for exactly: the correct business information. Here is the information you need to add
correctly: business address, email, fax number, telephone number, and website. Most of the time
potential clients don't trust a PO Box number or a 0800 telephone number.
Tip - 3 Use the right Business Categories and lots of them
There are 5 different categories you can list your business on Google Maps Marketing. It's
important that you choose your category carefully. You want your potential customer to find your
business under the right category. Google will suggest categories; it's best to use 1 or 2 of them
even if it looks inappropriate to your business. To add to the Google-suggested categories, add 3
more categories of your choice to leverage your business listing. There are 5 categories available-
-make sure you use all of them.
2. Tip 4 - Punchy & compelling Business Description
Despite Google's 200-characters limit on the business description, make your description
complete. The idea is to put the top keywords & business terms in the short description. Highlight
your credibility by using terms like accredited, professional, trusted, etc. on the description.
Tip 5 - Include Photos & Video
Google local listings permit for 10 photos and a short video, so make sure you use them all. It's
time to learn a thing or two about shooting a short 1-2 minute video and marketing your business
to your clients. This might make you cringe and say, really? Why? Well, because local businesses
are all about the people who run them; customers love getting a glimpse of your store, your logo,
and even yourself before they choose to buy from you. Show them who you are and you'll
standout from the other businesses on Google Maps Marketing.
Tip 6 - Maximize Google Local Listings the Extra Details
Take advantage of the extra details Google Places will ask for like your opening hours, coverage
areas, payment methods accepted, and available facilities. Google and your potential customers
will thank you for including these specific details on your Google Places listing.
Tip 7 - Invest time to complete the Services Section
At the end of each Google Places listing are the services you can enumerate. A good number of
services to list is from 6-10, but you be the judge--if you feel it's relevant, then don't be afraid to
add them. Be creative with your Service listings and use this area to cram in lots of relevant
service keywords, but don't use location names (a big no, no!). Here is a bad & a good example:
Bad - Heating Services: Yes
Good - Heating Services: gas-safe registered, radiator repair, boiler installation, hot water
problems, fix central heating
Tip 8 - Create a unique Special Offer Coupon
Local customers love special offers and so does Google so take advantage of this feature. Create
a unique discount coupon that is offered only to users of Google Maps Marketing. This will help
your business standout from others and will help convert online browsers into new, real
customers.
Tip 9 - Generate Citations
Citations are mentions of your business on other websites. These citations are important because
Google local SEO uses these citations to figure out whether your business is worth people's time
and money or not. This can worry some business owners, but for those who know how to take
advantage, it's a great opportunity.
You need to get as many citations as you can on Google Local Marketing:
3. 1. List your business on few more directories
2. Ask your neighboring businesses & suppliers to put your business address details on their site
with a link back to your website. You can offer to do the same in return for them.
3. Create a special offer for employees of nearby local businesses and place this on a separate
part of your website-make a special page for each offer if you have to. Let the target clients know
about your offer through your Google local SEO and offline ad campaign and provide them the link
to your site. Ask them to put it on their company website if they have one. This will help generate
new business directly & help with Google Places.
Tip 10 - Generate Customer Reviews
Google Places pulls in online customer reviews from multiple online directories such as Yelp.com,
Qype, Insider Pages, and TripAdvisor. Google uses these reviews as another factor in determining
how trustworthy your business is. You can motivate your loyal customers to leave reviews about
your business on these online directories or on your Google Places listing itself. But, remember
that it's more effective to have reviews on online directories because you reach their users as well
as Google's so you get more bang for your money.
Most clients are willing to give 5 minutes of their time; there's no need to bribe customers to write
a review--this could hurt you in the end. Reviews should be voluntarily made. Google Places now
offers a way for business owners to respond to reviews so you can openly thank a loyal client or
respond to any bad comments.
Everyone knows that Google local marketing is an important factor in the success of any business,
and Google Places makes it an even more powerful marketing tool for local businesses. Google
Map's immense users hold huge potential for drawing new customers and growing a business, if
used correctly. Astonishingly only a handful of local businesses are applying Google Places listing-
-it's your turn to try. Claim your listing and get a head start on your competitors before they wise
up!
Myles Anderson is the co-founder of Brightlocal.com. After working with big company names like
Freeserve, eHarmony, and Orange, he turned his attention to helping all sorts of local businesses
attract new customers through business directory listings and other local search engine marketing
tools.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Myles_Anderson
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Great Information on How to Do Google Places yourself... Check it out:
www.thedominatorstrategies.com
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