What is Google Places?

Google Places is a Google service where business owners can advertise their business. It also allows business owners to have a map marker or pin on Google Maps and list various details about their business, such as:

• business name
• products or services
• business address
• contact details, i.e. tel, email, url
• opening hours
• accepted payment methods
• photos, etc.

Google Places was first known as the Google Local Business Center and later renamed to Google Places. It is soon to be merged into Google + Pages.

Why Do I need Google Local Listing Optimisation for My Business?

Google shows the Places listings within the organic (natural) search results when a local search is conducted. Also, Google gives a boost to well-optimised listings over the organic search results and therefore they can often be found at the top of the first page.

Below is a screenshot of how Google listings appear on the first page of the Google search results when you search for a local business. This example, shows a search for a joiner in my local area. Notice how the Google Places listings are shown at the top of the results page, even before the organic search results.

What Is a Local Listing Optimisation Service?

Also known as Google Places Optimisation, is the practice of optimising your Google listing so that it not only shows up on the first page of Google, but that it ranks near the TOP of page one. Any business owner can create a listing, but what makes the listing really effective in driving more traffic and additional sales to a business is having it well-optimised. This shouldn't be confused with search engine optimisation services which is quite different.

Do I Need To Pay for a Google Local Listing Optimisation Service?

The short answer is no you don't. It is free to create the listing - if you count people's time as free, but there is a lot of techniques to know and do to maximise your listing so that it outranks other listings in your market. You want your listing to be seen first when your potential customers search for your products or services, and by having Local Listing Service Optimisation that will happen.

You could do all the Google Local Listing Optimisation Service yourself, but do you have the expertise or the time? Your time is better spent doing what you do best – running your business. Let our Google Places optimisation service do what it does best by doing it for you!