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Google Google places optimization program?

by RWhite
4 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Does anyone know of a good Google places program?
I am looking for in depth information on how to get competitive keywords as high up as possible on the Google places results.
Kind of like SEO, but for local listings.

Paid or free programs are both appreciated.

If you have used a program in the past which you are happy with I would be glad to hear about it.

Thanks
#google #optimization #places #program
  • Profile picture of the author oneplanet
    Hi,

    Google places has been covered in most Local Internet Marketing courses, so there are not many specific reports out there,

    Doing a Google search for, Google Places Report gave me this ...

    Free Google Places Report « Denver Internet Marketers
    I am in no way affiliated with this web site or the site owner.

    My advice;
    1) Fill out every section, including images, video and Additional Details.
    2) See what words the clients competition are showing for in Google Places.
    3) Be prepared to make changes to your categories.
    4) Always use city & state in any text, so you show up for the correct state.

    Regards,
    Eoin O'Leary
    Signature

    I'm between projects at the moment :-)

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    • Profile picture of the author RashmiP
      Correct information in google places will give your company a boost in the local market. Optimize your main keyword in the title.
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  • Profile picture of the author jaskiran
    Thanx for given this opportunity to give u some of the best info from my side.......

    5 Steps to Google places optimization program......

    1. Claim or Create a Google Places Page

    Chances are that your business already has a Places page, even if you never set one up. Start by doing a simple search for your brand name to see if one already exists. If you see a listing for your business, click to the place page and look for the "business owner?" link, then follow the instructions to claim it. If you find that you don't have a places page, start a new one at google.com/places.
    google places rankings

    2. Verify Your Google Places Page

    Once you have claimed or created a Places page, the next vital step is to verify it. Until you verify your listing, it won't be considered "trusted" because the search engines don't know that you are actually the business owner. As a result, it may not appear in the search results, or how often it appears may be limited.

    The verification process is easy, but it takes time. Follow the instructions when setting up your Places page or by clicking the verify link when you are logged in to your places account. You might be given the option to get a phone call, but will likely have to wait for a postcard in the mail (which takes 2-3 weeks.)
    3. Optimize Your Places Page

    When you finally have your Places page verified, there are a few things you can do to optimize your page and make it easier for potential customers to find you.

    google places keywordsOptimize your business's title - Your title in Google Places should be your business name, and possibly include some reference of your location. For instance, if you own a franchised business, including a location keyword is important to distinguish yourself against other area franchisees. Use HubSpot's Keyword Grader or the AdWords keyword tool to better understand how users are searching for businesses like yours using city and state names.

    Include keywords in your Places page description - Write a brief and concise description of your business, and be sure to include a keyword or two from the last step (don't go overboard adding keywords, though.)
    Choose a few appropriate categories - Choosing the right categories is important, and you can include up to five - but only include categories that are actually relevant to your business.
    Make your Places page as complete as possible - It's generally thought that more complete Places pages have an edge over less complete pages in the eyes of the search engines. Photos, videos, links to your social media profiles, hours and additional information can help to make your Places page more engaging and appealing to users, too. HubSpot's Google Places page is a great example.

    4. Google Places Rankings - Citations, Not Just Links

    Links to your website have an impact on Google Places, but many believe that reviews and simple mentions of your business across the web are of equal or greater importance. Search engines likely use mentions as a means to measure the "buzz" around local businesses (which don't always have websites, and as a result, can be harder to judge the popularity of.) You can look for opportunities to build up citations on -

    Directories - Claim or create your listing in each of the major directories, and make sure that your information is consistent across all of your listings (here is a good list of places to start.)
    Review sites - Reviews give search engines a signal that your business is a real place that is known and liked (or disliked) by real people. Encourage your customers to leave truthful reviews of your business, and claim your listing on the major review sites to make sure that your listing information is complete and consistent.
    Local Resources & Events Pages - Look for local directories, business listings, and event pages for opportunities to list your site. Start with your competitors - visit their Google Places pages and see where their citations are coming from (you'll see a list of links titled "more about this place" at the bottom of the page, which is a great place to start.)

    5. Don't Forget Your Website!

    Not only will a well-optimized website attract organic search traffic by itself, it's also the best citation you are likely to get for your Google Places page. In addition to following basic on-page optimization guidelines, be sure to have a local phone number and local address in plain text somewhere on your homepage.
    I hope i was able to explain this................
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    • Profile picture of the author karandigital
      Originally Posted by jaskiran View Post

      Thanx for given this opportunity to give u some of the best info from my side.......
      I hope i was able to explain this................
      :O thanks. nice tips.. you have your own site or blog???
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