Optimizing Google Places Part 4 – The Final Tweaks
In Optimizing Google Places Part 1, we discussed the things you can do to start your business using a search engine optimization mindset. In Optimizing Google Places Part 2, we covered the techniques used on your website to increase your Google Places ranking. In Optimizing Google Places Part 3, we talked about the two things you can do outside of your website.
Now that you have made all of these improvements, you are looking for ways to squeak out the last little bit of rank you can in your Google Business listing. Whether or not these tips actually improve your rank are still being hotly debated, but going off the premise that Google loves information, providing more information can only help.
Tip 1: Give Google the information
Completely fill out your Google Places listing! Google Places even provides a little percentage bar because it is important – make sure it is 100% completed. Google loves information, so give it as much as possible without being spammy. Spammy is always bad.
Tip 2: Include a picture with your listing
It’s simple, it’s quick, and even if Google Places doesn’t love you for it, potential customers will. Grab your digital camera, go outside, and take a good picture of the front of your business. An optimal picture will include your sign and enough surrounding information to help potential customers locate your business as they drive down the street. Go back inside, and upload that picture to your listing. Done.
Tip 3: Include a video with your listing
Not as simple as a picture, but as always with Google, more information is better. Include a commercial, or use your webcam to talk about your business. Make it as professional as possible, and upload the video to your listing.
Tip 4: Include a direct link to a critical part of your website
Google Places recently added the ability to include a link to specific information on your website. For instance, if you are a restaurant with a menu online, go to the Additional Details section, type “Our Menu” on the left box, and in the right box, put the URL of your menu. Your Google Places listing will now have a link directly to your menu.
This can be used for online applications or any other critical information that a potential customer would want to get to directly on your website. Do not use it just to create more links to your website pages.
Tip 5: Do not include local information in the categories
With Google Local Business, you used to be able to include the city or state in the custom category and it would greatly increase ranking – this is no longer the case. In fact, Google Places penalizes this behavior, and if a customer looks for more results (links to Google maps), it will usually strip the local terms ie. “Grand Rapids Pest Control” would become “pest control”. Sticking to the supplied categories is usually good enough, unless your business is very unique.
These final tweaks will help you squeak ahead of stiff local business competition. At McFarlan Enterprises, we love to see local businesses succeed online, and we hope this series has been beneficial for your company. If you would like to use our professional search engine optimization services, give us a call at (616) 717-5805 now!
Optimizing Google Places Part 4 – The Final Tweaks
In Optimizing Google Places Part 1, we discussed the things you can do to start your business using a search engine optimization mindset. In Optimizing Google Places Part 2, we covered the techniques used on your website to increase your Google Places ranking. In Optimizing Google Places Part 3, we talked about the two things you can do outside of your website.
Now that you have made all of these improvements, you are looking for ways to squeak out the last little bit of rank you can in your Google Business listing. Whether or not these tips actually improve your rank are still being hotly debated, but going off the premise that Google loves information, providing more information can only help.
Tip 1: Give Google the information
Completely fill out your Google Places listing! Google Places even provides a little percentage bar because it is important – make sure it is 100% completed. Google loves information, so give it as much as possible without being spammy. Spammy is always bad.
Tip 2: Include a picture with your listing
It’s simple, it’s quick, and even if Google Places doesn’t love you for it, potential customers will. Grab your digital camera, go outside, and take a good picture of the front of your business. An optimal picture will include your sign and enough surrounding information to help potential customers locate your business as they drive down the street. Go back inside, and upload that picture to your listing. Done.
Tip 3: Include a video with your listing
Not as simple as a picture, but as always with Google, more information is better. Include a commercial, or use your webcam to talk about your business. Make it as professional as possible, and upload the video to your listing.
Tip 4: Include a direct link to a critical part of your website
Google Places recently added the ability to include a link to specific information on your website. For instance, if you are a restaurant with a menu online, go to the Additional Details section, type “Our Menu” on the left box, and in the right box, put the URL of your menu. Your Google Places listing will now have a link directly to your menu.
This can be used for online applications or any other critical information that a potential customer would want to get to directly on your website. Do not use it just to create more links to your website pages.
Tip 5: Do not include local information in the categories
With Google Local Business, you used to be able to include the city or state in the custom category and it would greatly increase ranking – this is no longer the case. In fact, Google Places penalizes this behavior, and if a customer looks for more results (links to Google maps), it will usually strip the local terms ie. “Grand Rapids Pest Control” would become “pest control”. Sticking to the supplied categories is usually good enough, unless your business is very unique.
These final tweaks will help you squeak ahead of stiff local business competition. At McFarlan Enterprises, we love to see local businesses succeed online, and we hope this series has been beneficial for your company. If you would like to use our professional search engine optimization services, give us a call at (616) 717-5805 now!