Google recently re-branded their “local business center” to the new name of “Google Places”.
“Google Places” – Do We Really Need Another Ambiguous Name?
The re-branding of the service also brings various new and interesting features.
Google’s objective is to make Google Places the largest local and international business directory on the web (competing with the likes of Yell).
Already more than four million businesses have been registered on Google Places, with large email marketing campaigns aiming to increase these figures on a large scale.
Re-brand Aside – The Analytics are Long Overdue!
A great feature for businesses is that Google.com has started to let businesses respond to user reviews on the Google Places/Local Business Centre/Maps (.co.uk and other geo-specific google sites are soon to follow).
They even offer advice as to how to respond to complaints and bad reviews. This should provide useful for raising customer service and show up to date activity from the business.
New Features
According to Google, users will still be able to utilize the different tools previously offered by the Local Business Center. However, the following new features are being introduced to Google.com (USA customers):
- Service Areas: If you travel to serve customers, you can now show which geographic areas you serve. And if you run a business without a storefront or office location, you can now make your address private.
- New Type of Adwords – TagWords!: For just $25 per month, businesses in select cities can make their listings stand out on Google.com and Google Maps with Tags. Recently, they rolled out Tags to three new cities — Austin, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. — in addition to ongoing availability in Houston and San Jose, CA. In the coming weeks they also will be introducing Tags in Chicago, San Diego, Seattle, Boulder and San Francisco.
- Chargeable Business Photo Shoots: In addition to uploading their own photos, businesses in select cities can now request a free photo shoot of the interior of their business which we’ll use to supplement existing photos of businesses on Place Pages. We’ve been experimenting with this over the past few months, and now have created a site for businesses to learn more and express their interest in participating.
- Customized QR codes – Barcodes and Smartphones: From the dashboard page of Google Places, businesses in the U.S. can download a QR code that’s unique to their business, directly from their dashboard page. QR codes can be placed on business cards or other marketing materials, and customers can scan them with certain smartphones to be taken directly to the mobile version of the Place Page for that business.
Additionally, Google Places users will be able to post real-time updates to their Place Page. This feature alone will make it easier to advertise any special event such as sales. Businesses can also add mobile-formatted coupons. Google Places is free, unless you decide to advertise using tags.
How Much do Reviews Count?
It will be interesting to see if Google will take anything from a company’s response, so if a company consistently answers its customers will Google give it a higher position on the map listings?
New Analytics View of Your Listing on Google Places
Should I use Google Places?
Google Maps is a great tool for SEO and your business but remember that the location takes precedence in your search.
If you’re searching for a shop or a business that is static and selling products locally then it can be really useful, but if you’re searching for a business that covers a large area or is national then it falls down (hence the old name “local business search”.
Still for any local business Google Places is a must! Even if you don’t have a website yet – all you need is a phone number, an email address and some photos!
Google Places Guides on Improving Your Listing (From Google)
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