Daily Archives: January 2, 2013

Google Places Optimization

If you don’t have your business on Google Places, you should.  These are the listing you see when a person types in a type of business into a Google Search. You can see an example of this below for the search “Logan UT Restaurants”.

These listing help in finding your business when people search for a type of business locally.  For example, the above image is a snapshot of the search results for Logan UT Sporting Goods.  If your business doesn’t appear in these types of results, there are some things you can do to enhance the likelihood that they will.

To get started, go to http://places.google.com and login to your account.  If you don’t have an account, then you will want to create an account.

Next you will see your listing’s dashboard.  It will look like the picture below:

On the right hand side, you will see you listing, and above that you will find an “Edit” link.  To edit your Business click on the “Edit Button”

You will then see a screen that shows all of your business information, at least the information you have added to you Google Places Business information.

The part you will want to pay special attention too, is the part showing your website, description, and category information.

What many business owners don’t realize is how important having these fields filled in correctly can help your business show in the Google Places results.

In the description area you will want to make sure you have good keyword placement.  For example, you see in mine that there are the keywords “internet marketing company”, “SEO”, “Video Marketing” and “Social Media Marketing”.  These keywords are there so that when people search for these types of services in Logan Utah, my Google Places profile has a greater chance of showing up for these keyword specific searches.

It is also a common misconception that you have to choose from the available categories listed in the “Category” fields.  As you can see in the last category, I have listed Search Engine Optimization, and under that you will read “You have chosen a custom category”.  You will need to choose one or two of the categories Google has predetermined in the dropdown menu when you click on the category field.  However, you may want to set your own custom categories if those custom categories are common search terms for your business.

You will also do well to add photos and videos to your listing, and last but not least, list your business’ website to make sure when your business is found in Google places, it will link to your company’s online presence.

For more information and to get help with your internet marketing needs, visit: http://marketingai.com