As a Virtual Assistant/Professional have you noticed an increase in demand for your services from local business owners? If yes, then make sure your client’s website sits prominently in the Google listings. For local business owners, it’s all about getting found in the community.
Google Places
A Google Places account allows a business to:
- Have that prominent Google map show up beside the web address in the Google listings
- Add up to 10 photos in the listing to showcase the outside of the building or the goods and services sold within the establishment
- Create coupons for promotions
- Solicit reviews/testimonials which give further clout to the benefits of dealing with that business
Google Maps
So how do you set up a Google Places account for your client, follow the steps and your done!
- Google Account: Set up a Google account for your client(which is free) by going to http://www.google.com. You will need a Gmail account and username to create the Google Places.
- Activate the Account: Click https://www.google.com/accounts/ManageAccount and click on Google Places.
- Complete Information: You will then be asked to fill in a number of areas regarding your client’s business info….make this as detailed as possible.
- Basic Address Info including website and a description of the products or services they offer
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- Service Areas and location settings
- Hours of Operation
- Payment Options
- Photos: add up to 10 photos of the storefront or products
- Videos: you can upload up to 5 videos to Youtube and have it listed as part of your listing
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Google needs to verify the information so warn your client that they will be receiving a phone call from an automated system at Google with a verification code….this is very important as you need the code to finalize the Google Places account.
Next Steps:
- Ask current or past customers to post a (positive) review on the site…the more the better
Add Reviews for Google Places
- Add or change up the photos as necessary to reflect the current look of the storefront or products
- Use the insights/analytics feature on a monthly basis to gain information about the number of people visiting the Google Places account
Monitor the Google Places Stats
If you can set up a Google Places results for your clients and demonstrate the importance of this tool, they will be eternally grateful!… just another way partnering with a VA is a wise decision.
For more information on other local business listings, please review Diane Coville’s post titled Social Media Marketing You can Go Local Now at https://www.vanetworking.com/blog/social-media-marketing-you-can-go-local-now/.
Great post! So many businesses aren’t even aware of Google Places let-a-lone the value of it. I offer my clients a ‘Free Business Directory Listing’ Package and add them to 15-20 directories including Google Places which takes a little more time if they don’t have a Google Account! It also seems some businesses just don’t want to be found & don’t embrace much of what the internet has to offer. Social media being another!
Thanks for the great tips and directions Theresa! Seems like a no brainer for local businesses to sign on with their local VA – it can be the start of a relationship that continues beyond this initial project or can help spread the word locally and get some WOM marketing started. It’s a win-win!
I, too, can attest to how great Google Places can be. While I am a virtual assistant, I am also a Mobile Notary Public serving my local area. I get calls all the time from people who tell me that they called me because I showed up “at the top of the list” in Google. When they say that, they mean the top of the Google Places list. It really does work.
Getting a good Google Places listing doesn’t take long at all. Here’s a hint, though… if you use a PO BOX for your business address, it can be a little trickier to deal with, but not impossible. Google Places prefers that you use an actual street address.
I try to make sure that all of my clients who want to attract local customers have a full Google Places listing rich with the keywords that are applicable to their businesses.
Google has a fantastic tutorial for webmasters on this, and it’s all free.
What if it is a home-based business? How safe is it of having your home address in Google places for everyone to come to your home or be able to find your home?
Hi Kelvin,
I recommend getting a PO Box for your business. I would not suggest listing your home address on google places.
For home-based businesses that do not wish to have their address posted, there is a checkbox in the sign-up process that if selected they will not post your address. You then can select your service area to be shown on your listing.
Good to know!