What is Google Places?

Google Places is an online service run by the search engine Google that allows business owners to create an individually tailored page linked to a location marker on Google Maps, another online service offered by Google. Google Maps is an online map service that gives detailed information for most urban areas in the world. When a Google Places page is created a location marker is created on the map (as illustrated in the image below) this allows potential customers to locate businesses in their area easily and also acts as a platform from which businesses can advertise.

How does Google Places work?

Google Places listings do not appear for all search phrases, generally the search term must include a specific geographical location plus relevant keyword (for example 'florist' + 'cape town'). When a location specific keyword phrase is entered into the Google search box, if there are Google Places listings for that area, the relevant Google Places listings will appear, after the paid Google AdWords advertisements, and before the normal (natural) indexed search listings. The Headlines (titles of the Google Places listings) which appear in blue do not in fact link to the Google Places pages, rather directly to the websites themselves and the Places page is accessible via the small text links to the right of the results, as indicated below.

Clicking through to the Google Places page gives a more detailed view of all the information that has been uploaded to the page. This can include images, a description, contact details, map location marker, payment options, hours of business, videos, additional information as well as any special offers the business may have. The Google Places page gives users the option to 'review' the business, though be wary of this as there is no control over this process and could easily be exploited with fake reviews for marketing and promotion purposes.

Any business that receives most of its search traffic from location specific searches should seriously consider listing themselves on Google Places as a priority. Having a good Google Places listing that provides all the relevant information and media applicable to a business will generate a consistent stream of potential customers. With Google giving preference to the Places listings in search results, placing them before the normal results, there is every possibility that a Google Places listing may appear more frequently than your website on Page 1 of search engine results pages.

list on Google Places with GETHiTS...

Interested? We'll do our best to help you get the most out of your new website, internet marketing campaign or any other ideas you may have! Just fill out the form below, email us at talk2us@gethits.co.za or you can call (+27) 0860 103 674 or 021 671 2170 during office hours.


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