If you don’t already have a Google Place Page, its time you did. This post will guide you to create an effective Google Place Page. If you have a website or not, Google Places will help you become visible in the local web searches. This is today’s Yellow Page listing, trust me.
According to ComScore 63% of search related purchases occur offline. In a Neilson study, 80% of respondents said that they’ve researched a product or service online before purchasing it locally; 82% say they’ve searched online to find local business. Yet, according to MediaPost only 44% of small businesses have a website.
Now that you’ve realized the importance of a web presence, let’s go into creating your place page.
Before you begin, have the following information ready:
- Your store contact information (address, phone number etc.). It is a good idea to be by your business phone number that you use on this listing when you create it in order to quickly verify your listing.
- A brief description about your store: think of what your customers would like to know about your store. Don’t use marketing copy here, just cover the facts.
- Photos of your store: select a couple of photos of your store, you don’t need a professional photographer to take these, just pick up your digital camera and snap a few good pictures. You can skip photos if you choose to do so. A listing without photos is better than no listing at all!
Now that you have your information ready, go to Google Places. Once you are there, sign in using your Google account (your Gmail account could be used here). If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create a Google account.
Click on “List your business” button and follow the necessary steps.
When you enter in your phone number, if you business does not have a Google places listing, it will prompt you to enter in the business information. Try to make your Google place page as accurate and complete as possible.
Select an area you serve, select multiple but relevant categories you business falls into. Let your customers know the payment methods accepted. Give them information about hours of operation.
Once you’ve completed your Google listing, choose to verify listing by phone, this way you will be done with this step right away.
Google will call your business phone and provide you with a verification pin. Enter in this pin in the next step to complete the creation of Google place page listing for your small business.
Now wasn’t that easy? You’ve already begun building your web presence.