How To Make Your Google Plus/Places Listing Work For Your Small Business
Small business SEO strategies use Google Places listings since approximately 97% of most consumers search locally to find businesses. Google consistently ranks highest as the most used search engine for everything, including local companies.
Therefore, companies are always interested in ways to advance themselves in Google. Now that Google Plus listings have been released, below is some information about how this new integration affects business owners.
Google+ Business Pages
Google has maintained that it will ultimately be merging the Google+ pages with each company’s Google Places listing presence. Local businesses must create a Google Plus business page so that they may take advantage of the many other social features that Google+ pages offer. For example, Google+ will include useful tools such as status updates, Hangouts and Circles.
Google+ Local Tab
The new Local tab on the left sidebar of Google Plus can be used to search for specific categories or browse for places such as museums, restaurants and stores. Clicking on particular listings takes you to Google+ Local pages for that establishment, featuring useful information like location, contact information, reviews, photos and Zagat scores and summaries.
Google Plus Migration Mechanics
The Google Places page will be transitioned into a Google+ Local page which is why the Google Plus listing needs to stay updated. All of the basic information is expected to be migrated over within the new design. According to Google’s business blog, information should still be maintained through Google Places for Business. This enables:
- Verification of basic listing data
- Making updates
- Responding to reviews
For AdWords Express users, Google has confirmed that ads will function as normal, by automatically redirecting your users to the destination chosen or the current listing. This is particularly beneficial for small business SEO and each Google listing.
Local Pages Integration with Google Properties
Google’s plans include integrating, upgrading and merging business listings so that they can be shared across mobile, search and mobile, as well as maps. This will allow one singular business identity to acquire a much broader distribution scope across multimedia channels.
Google+ Local is integrated with other Google applications, such as Google Maps and organic Google Search. For example, locations on Maps or Search will display Google+ Local page results as well.
Searches on either service are designed to pull Zagat ratings into the mix as well, which will replace the former 5 star rating system of the past. This will also apply to Google Maps and search for mobile on Android devices. Functionality for the iOS devices is expected to be released shortly.
Raising Google Rankings
In addition to ensuring that your Google+ and Google listing pages remain intact and updated, businesses should take all of the usual steps to increase traffic, such as:
- Creating, linking and distributing quality content
- Updating content so that it stays relevant
- Interacting with social networks
- Responding to blogs, forums and social media inquiries
The bottom line is that Google+ Local Pages are basically an evolution of every Google listing page. Staying current with all information about your business is the best strategy to leverage the new Google Plus benefits.
