Google Places SEO

The year 2011 has seen great changes in the way Google has presented local search results using Google Places.  With Google deciding to go more ‘local’ than ever before, local businesses stand to gain better chances by capitalizing on this current trend.

What exactly is Google Places?

Google Places is a business listing page that can be found within Google’s Maps service. This listing is the product of the information compiled and retrieved from the Google Places Page. Google estimates that one out of five of its searches are related to location. This makes it necessary for all business owners to be on Google Places. Additionally, Google also shows local results from Google Places by default, without users even adding a geographic signifier, thereby providing local business owners with tremendous opportunity to market their products and services.

How can Google Places SEO be done?

Google Places SEO differs significantly from conventional organic SEO. After registering with Google by adding a Google Places profile, you need to ensure that your listing gets as much relevant traffic as possible. Listed below are some trusted methods that will help you optimise your Google Places listing:

  • Provide all necessary information in detail. Comprehensive listings have been noticed to rank higher than those that contain little information.
  • Reviews and citations act as inbound links providing greater ranking for your Google Places listing. Citations are nothing but a listing for your business on another site. This would include the business name, phone number and address. On the other hand, any site that allows a user to submit a review of your product or service will also play a role in your rankings.
  • Check if the information listed on your website is consistent with what you provided to Google.
  • Google reads your address from your site, but this will not be possible if your site consists of only images or Flash. Thus, make sure that your address is in “real” text.
  • If your products or services are restricted to your local area, ensure that you have your address on every page of your site even if it is just placed on the footer.
  • Use microformatting to identify all business information. Microformatting helps Google pull up information into their Maps.
  • Use Google Webmaster Tools to upload sitemaps for your site. This will help Google show locations on their Google Earth and Google Maps engine.
  • Focus on local directory submission, especially the directories that cater to your business type. Yellow Page-type directories will help you gain the much needed business listings.
  • Create social media profiles on sites like Facebook and Twitter. These social sites provide a great way to communicate with your customers and increase your company’s visibility.

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