Maximize your "google power" AND INTERNET PRESENCE

Make sure your Google Places Page is

completely optimized.  It's easy and

100 percent free.

In case you're wondering, "Google Places" is the local map page that usually appears on results page of Google business searches.   

You may have already claimed your page, or you might not know what I'm talking about - but these 10 steps will help your business get found more easily.  Google evaluates your Places page as well as your website when determining who's on page 1, and in what order you show up.

If you are completely unfamiliar with Google Places, Google has a great tourthat will help familiarize yourself before getting through the rest of our steps.
 
1.  Make sure you have a Google "Places" page. Go to maps.google.comand type in your business name and city.  If Google has created a page for you, or you have already set up your page, there will be a "More Info" link beside your business.  Click it to access your page, then click on the "business owner?" link to edit.  If your business doesn't appear, go to http://www.google.com/places and log in or create an account to set up your page.

2.  Go through each section of your Places page setup and make sure you provide complete information.  Make sure your business name and address exactly matches other online listings (like Canpages), because Google will automatically bring in your content (like videos and photos) from Canpages and other directories.  Fill in as many categories as you can and write a keyword-rich description.

3.  Add all the photos and videos you have.  Google will allow up to 10.  Tip:  To make sure your logo shows up properly, add it as the last photo.

4.  Have a website.  To rank highly, you must have a business website!  Google will drop your listing to a low position without one, no matter what else you do.  Canpages will build you a fully optimized expertly-built website with no setup fee, hosting and monthly updates included, to get you found and ranked higher on Google.  If you don't have a website, contact me now!  We can get you up and running and help you with every step of your set up.

5.  Have optimized content on Canpages.ca, the top local search site in Canada.   Don't just take my word for it.  Google a number of business products and services and add your locality.  (Example:

"boat repair in langley bc.")  Time and time again, Canpages places at or near the top of local Google, Bing and Yahoo searches.  The is because of our rich content, especially video content and constant updates, which search engines love, and because of our extreme local traffic and hyper-local content.

6.  Add Additional Details.  These will help you as powerful keywords associated with your page.

7.  Verify your business listing. You can verify your listing by phone or by postcard. Google will call the phone number on the listing and provide a PIN number to enter for verification purposes. The process should take less than 5 minutes.

8.  Your page is complete!  Now what?  Keep up to date with Place Page Posts - One fun feature that you find here is the ability for business owners to post to the Place Page. Place Page posts allow business owners to give Google Maps users recent updates about your their business. These concise posts are a great way to share information with customers quickly.

9.  Add Coupons Business owners who have verified their business listing in Google Places can offer coupons on the Place Page for their business. Users can either print these coupons or use a mobile coupon.  If you're a business owner, the coupon tool is a great resource. By adding more than just the basic elements, you invite customers to interact with your listing. As a result, you may find that more customers are compelled to write a review or share the listing with a friend.

10.  Get Reviews - Reviews come from two main sources:  directories and social sites across the web like Canpages.ca and Gigpark.com, and reviews written by Google Maps users. When the information on a third-party website matches the information for a particular listing, Google associates third-party reviews with business listings. The more reviews you have, the better Google will like your business!

A properly optimized and managed Google Places page will set your business up

to be found easily online, and provide a great conversion from browsers to

customers.  

Please contact me with any questions or requests for help. 

I look forward to speaking with you soon.