Google Places Optimization: It’s more than just claiming your business
Any business can claim their Google Places page and fill out the necessary fields. You may have done that yourself already. You might have actually increased your rank a few pots in your local Google searches.
However, there is a “best practice” to filling out and optimizing your Google Places Page. Some people call them tricks or secrets and to some extent that is true, but primarily it is hard work that extends past your Places Page.
You can fill out each field and even upload pictures and videos and still get beat out by someone that hasn’t even claimed their listing. This frustrates many small businesses that know that the top spots will generate significant more calls to their business.
What makes up a Google Places Ranking.
The Google Places algorithm not only looks for key information about your business from the Google Places page but also takes into account these key factors:
- Your website SEO
- Citations – does your Name, Address and Phone match your business listings found on the web.
- Reviews – Both Google Places reviews and “offsite” reviews found around the web
- Proximity to City Center
- Name, Address and Phone consistency throughout citation sources
- many more….
There are actually over 50 ranking factors in Googles algorithm but these three are the most critical. Each one of these factors are critical to ranking well in a local search and all have nothing to do with filling out your Places page.
Why is this so complicated?
Google’s algorithm focus on 2 things:
- Returning the most relevant results for the user
- Fighting spam
This is important to know because not only do you have to represent your business as being relevant to the search terms but you have to do it in a way that fits Google’s guidelines or your rankings will decline. This is a very fine line at times and most businesses need a little help to know where that line is.
DAGMAR Marketing specializes in Google Places Optimization
Realizing the value of what a page 1 ranking means for small businesses, I decided to specialize in this one area. Google Places Optimization is different than traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Just like SEO, it requires special training and a commitment to staying current on the best practices.
I am committed to this industry so you don’t have to be. If you are ready to get started on seeing direct results with your Google Places Rankings then please fill out my contact form to setup a free consultation.
