So, Google Local Business Center has become Google Places. Why? Well, read the Google press release and blog and there’s a lot of explanation, including a lot of talk about business optimisation, communication and insight. Google is a master at all this, so there’s no reason to doubt them.
But, put more simply, what Google has done is to upgrade its existing Google Local Business Center service and rename it to bring it into line with its Google Place Pages service. Upgrading and renaming: both good moves in my opinion.
So, what actually is Google Places I hear some of you ask? It’s a tool that allows businesses to be identified through a location-based Google search (which is a very popular way of searching for services).
For example, if someone searches for guest houses in Chichester or printers in Portsmouth, and you own one of these types of company and use Google Places, up your company will pop.
Google Places allows you to add to and verify the information that pops up. So that’s opening hours, photos, videos, promotions, product details, etc. It gives you the chance to be first in line when a customer makes this kind of business-related search.
So, I’ve told you about the existing features (all very useful). Here are some of the new ones. Not all of them are available in the UK yet (come on Google!), but they will be.
- Service areas. You can tell people what areas you serve;
- Customised QR codes. Scan this code and users will be taken to your company’s Place Page, which displays more detailed info on your business and can be set up to allow reviews;
- New advertising. You can make your listing stand out on Google.co.uk and Google Maps.
As I hope I’ve made clear, these features are designed to make your business even more visible, to drive even more traffic to your website, to get even more people through the door, so to speak.
Chichester Design offers extensive Google business services, including setting up new Google Places listings and optimising existing ones. We’ll even come to your premises and take some professional shots of your building and products.
To find out more about using Google Places to drive growth at your business, contact Ben at Chichester Design on +44 (0)1243 787542 or info@chichesterdesign.co.uk.
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