Google Places Listings Optimization

Google Places Optimization Tips

 

Use this checklist to ensure that you have your Google Places listing optimized:

 

  1. Enter your business name, address, and phone number so that it matches the primary information associated with the local phone company and your OEM website. Do not use a tracking number unless all OEM listings and all business directories are using this number.
  2. Make sure that you enter your website address and test the link. You would be surprised to see how many listings still have http://maps.google.com or the OEM website.
  3. Use all five “business category” tags, For example for a car dealer, include your OEM brand and the category “Used Car Dealer”. If you are a Toyota dealer, make sure you pick “Toyota Dealer” as one of your 5 categories.
  4. Complete the “Additional Information” section of the profile to include brands of goods that you sell and related services. Again , for a car dealer that would include: tires, oil change, brakes, transmission service, and of course used cars.
  5. Load 10 photos and stay away from photos of your building. Photos should show happy customers. Ising the car dealer example again, show pictures of customers taking delivery of a car, your work in the community, OEM awards, or any brand enhancing images. Photos that will make people smile! Photos of your building will not help to engage your audience.
  6. Load 5 videos and we recommend that three videos be actual customer testimonials. The remaining two videos can be a “welcome to the business” message and the final video to invite consumers to service their car at your dealership.
  7. Set your “Service Area” beyond the default range of a 20-mile radius around your store location. For most dealers the range can be comfortably increased to 50 miles. Dealers near bodies of water can create a custom shape for their service area. If you need help, you can refer to this article I wrote on custom service areas.
  8. Setup a process to get your customers to post reviews directly to Google Places. Your goal should be to get at least 30 reviews a month to be posted directly on Google Places. The Google Places App can help you easily achieve this goal. Between sales and service there are hundreds of customers that are completely satisfied with your dealership so ask them!
  9. Invest $25 a month to enhance your Google Places listing with a Google Tag. This yellow highlighted graphic can advertise your monthly specials. Also, set a process to update your specials each month on Google Places because they will automatically expire in 30 days.
  10. Once your have a strong number of positive reviews on Google Places, consider spending money to advertise your high marks from consumers using . Let your customers speak for you and drive more traffic to your website.