Google has always enjoyed a close relationship with local businesses and Google Places is just another testament to that affinity. Google is always trying to come up with new and better ways to improve their services. With Google Places, the Web titan focuses on small and local businesses by giving them the ability to create a free listing so that customers can easily find businesses based in a certain place. These listings even appear on top of organic results for the searchers convenience. Because of the emphasis that Google puts on Places, it is crucial that small businesses take advantage of this opportunity.

So what exactly is Google Places?

Google Places enables business owners to manage the information with regard to their physical business location. This information is then used to update business listings as they appear within Google Maps and other Google properties.

However, there are a few things that business owners need to take into account when using Google Places. First off, a business listed on Places should make use of a local mailing address. In order to ensure that this provision is being followed by small businesses, Google only sends verification to the physical mailing address. Secondly, despite the fact that some businesses offer multiple services, only one listing can be claimed for every physical location.

Why should small businesses bother with Google Places?

The reason for why small businesses should definitely jump into the Google Places bandwagon is due to the fact that more and more people are becoming reliant on the internet. The convenience of having information delivered to you in just a matter of seconds is what Google and other major search engines bring. But what is best about Google Places is the fact that it can deliver localized search results for individuals who are looking for businesses located in specific areas.

So what should you do to maximize your Places listing? Just like when you’re optimizing your website for search engines, you also need to do keyword analysis for your Google Places listing. At the same time, it’s ideal for businesses to mention the areas which they serve on their listing to be consistent with Google Places’ goal. Another way to boost a business profile is through the addition of photos and videos. To really attract customers, businesses can create coupons which buyers can retrieve from listings and print out. This service is actually something which Google likewise offers.

Your author Chris likes to write about <local business marketing and provides lead generation services to small businesses with his company Surefire Social