Google Places - Optimisation Tips for your Business Listing

[v2Media]

Google Places frequently have more prominence on search results pages when place names are included in the search terms. In order to be seen in these results, your business obviously needs a listing. However Google Places (Australia) scrapes listing from other sources as well; Yellow Pages and Start Local.

Google Places listings have had more than it's fair share of attention from the search engine optimisation industry of late. To get up to date on what's hot and what's not, grab a coffee and visit the webpage below. Glean from it what you can and add/edit your Google Place listing.

http://www.davidmihm.com/local-searc...-factors.shtml

If you haven't got Yellow Pages advertising, you can get a free listing on the Sensis network (be aware you'll get pestered for paid advertising from YP salespeople - just tell em to go jump).

Then head over to Start Local and add your business there too.

[Chris Bates]

Good work Mark, this is going to become a massive SEO focus point for local work - GP have just completely dominated local searches now.

[bridiej]

If you haven't got Yellow Pages advertising, you can get a free listing on the Sensis network (be aware you'll get pestered for paid advertising from YP salespeople - just tell em to go jump).

lol I wish, contacted them a month ago for a quote and still waiting....!!! Probably just as well as I imagine it will cost a fortune.

What is the suggestion if you don't necessarily target local work?

[v2Media]

@bridiej: you'd have to contact a few peers that are advertising in YP and ask whether it's working for them. YP doesn't work across all industries; in fact it's a waste of money for some industries. Unfortunately web design is one of em. Financing, insurance and retail are a few others that past clients have griped about too. About the only services that I've come across where the client broke even with their YP advertising was a mobile vet clinic. I've never heard of anyone raving about their YP ad - have you?

[Chris Bates]

Trade services is where it's at - and mainly with the older audience.

I have a friend who owns a Tiling business. $20,000/year for his ad in the YP - the ONLY reason he keeps it (and gets results from it) is because he's had it for years and gets the 'top spot' in the book which also gets him the top spot online.

But for a new business to go and dump $20,000 on an ad, you won't get the top spot :P

[bridiej]

@bridiej: you'd have to contact a few peers that are advertising in YP and ask whether it's working for them. YP doesn't work across all industries; in fact it's a waste of money for some industries. Unfortunately web design is one of em. Financing, insurance and retail are a few others that past clients have griped about too. About the only services that I've come across where the client broke even with their YP advertising was a mobile vet clinic. I've never heard of anyone raving about their YP ad - have you?

I have a client in the UK who I help out, she has a business pretty much same as mine and all she has it a YP ad - and a thriving business.

Lol I wouldn't pay $20,000 for any kind of advertising!!!

And no, I wouldn't go and invest a great deal in advertising unless I'd checked it out.

Still doesn't help with the Google Places Q, is there any benefit for businesses targeting potential clients outside their local area? Or is it actually going to be detrimental since the search results will be skewed towards businesses that are local to the searcher?

[Chris Bates]

Google Places only has an effect on LOCAL searches.

Organic searches will always be neutral, but with the recent change GP pretty much dominates a local search.

[bridiej]

Ah, right got it!!! )

[bridiej]

Ok so if I go to Google and type in "typing services" in the search results it brings up two or three organic results then a load of results in Perth for Google Places.

So, assuming someone in Sydney (or wherever in the world) does the same and they get a load of local results how is that going to help me? Unless my business ranks in the top three (fingers crossed once I change my domain name over) I have no chance, surely?

[Chris Bates]

Correct, Google Places is for local search. You can't be based in Perth and show in Google Places on a search in Sydney (unless you lie and say you ARE in Sydney).

Likewise, I'm in Adelaide and get a relevant list from businesses in Adelaide.