How does Google Places help increase sales for the customer?

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I have sent out quite a few postcards to local businesses in need of a few basic internet marketing tips. My goal is to get a few face to face interviews with some local people and start offering my services to offline clients.

While trying to decide what services to offer I have come across discussions about Google Places. I have seen quite a few posts and YouTube videos discussing Google Places. I understand how to set up the business account, fill out important information, add pics, etc.

What I don't understand is how this translates into more leads/phone calls/sales for the actual client. Maybe I am looking at it wrong, or just missing something. Can someone help me understand this?
#offline marketing #customer #google #increase #places #sales
  • Few off the top of my head, which directly stand in front of the traffic
    that sees the listing:

    1. Local search presence online and positioning of the business next to competitors.
    2. Social proof by customers, via reviews they leave on business.
    3. Validation of the business' legitimacy, to important suppliers/vendors.
    4. Local search taking more prominence over organic search listings.
    5. Mobile/iPhone searches, with 1-click phone # for contact by prospects/customers.

    HIH
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply

    • so does it only work if someone is looking for your specific business? or is it keyword related? how can I use it for my business and make it find my niche? nabacar.com is the site and I am not a spammer but trying to show you what it is. I don't see how it would put me at the top with my stiff competition. any ideas? Tom
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  • High HP was spot on.

    Google Places, working in conjunction with a well optimized web presence, gets you found on the Big Goo - 1st page - Top Half.

    Right where all the traffic is.

    End of story.

    Rob
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    • Thanks for all of the help guys. I guess I just thought it was more than page ranking. But now I see it clearer.
  • Google Places is essentially the new phone book. Yesterday I needed a plumber and fast, I got on the computer and the first person to show up on Google Places was the person I called and eventually the person I paid $500+ to to fix my problem. A few years ago I would have picked up the phone book and whoever had the biggest ad probably would have gotten my call.
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  • I would echo what MaxReferrals said. This is not nearly as important if you are operating your business solely online. But, if you actually have a geographic location it is a way to validate that. Also, as more sites like Yelp and Groupon offer local business a platform to give people that check in a discount incentive, it starts to promote your business all around the web. There are a lot of good articles out there about "localization," just type it in to a search engine. The more you are out there the more likely you will draw people to your site, and to your store. That always helps to drive sales.
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  • Right now, Google has been giving prior with two local businesses. In many cases, there are actually showing the Google places listings above the regular organic listings. Firstly, it will help the business more exposure. It will be easier to get read on page one. Second, it has older business info; the phone number, address, it has reviews from clients and customers. Therefore, it is a way for people to find them getting contact with them. If they are doing a mobile search they can click the call, they can have reviews. And if they have good reviews it will mean that they are more likely to sign up for their services. So, google places are where we should start with all of our offline clients. Also, it is easiest to do. So, I recommend doing it and just talk about how it will bring more exposure and we will trust on their potential sacrifice.
  • Hello, I am helping local businesses with their internet and mobile marketing. My customers are asking me how I can move him up on the Google Places, Yahoo local and Bing local ahead of his competitors.
    Does Anyone know exactly how to accomplish this task??

    Thanks so Much for the help.

    Scott Mosteller
    • [1] reply
    • Check out a product from Brian Anderson called "Google Places Cheat Sheet". Don't have the link handy but if you Google it you'll find it. He ran a WSO on it several months ago. He covers a lot of info in his report to help you with ranking and the last conversation I had with him he was working on a report for Bing Local as well. It's not a cheap report though since he does ongoing updates but it's worthwhile if you deal with a lot of clients.

      Another item you may want to Google is David Mihm's Leading Ranking Factors 2011 (or something to that effect). Good info about what top marketers believe to be most important factors for high ranking.

      Good Luck!
  • By enhancing your Google Places or Map listing you can increase customer loyalty, encourage prospective customers to try out business or products and encourage repeat business. Google is becoming more focused on local commerce.
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    How does Google Places help increase sales for the customer?

    I have sent out quite a few postcards to local businesses in need of a few basic internet marketing tips. My goal is to get a few face to face interviews with some local people and start offering my services to offline clients. While trying to decide what services to offer I have come across discussions about Google Places. I have seen quite a few posts and YouTube videos discussing Google Places. I understand how to set up the business account, fill out important information, add pics, etc.