June 1, 2012 UPDATE : Google places goes Social – see blog post - click here

 

What is Google Places?  Explanation from Google Places website (http://support.google.com/places/?hl=en)

Benefits of using Google Places

 Reach millions of Google users, quickly and for free, with Google Places

More people search for businesses online than anywhere else, so it’s important to make sure your local business listing can be easily found on Google.com and Google Maps. With Google Places, creating a great listing takes just a few minutes and doesn’t cost a thing.

What is Google Places in Social MarCom laymen’s terms?

Google Places could be the best things since sliced bread!  First of all it is FREE, and second it is integrated with Google – the worlds largest and best search engine. What does this means for you?  If you own a business, you can claim that business and control all of the content on it. There is a process to make sure you are indeed who you say you are. After signing up, before you can “take control” of your Google Places page, Google will have to verify you own or run the business.  If you have a phone # registered to the exact name of the business place you could go the option of receiving a phone call which will provide you a code to enter in your online account.  More often than not, you will have to wait for a card to be snail mailed to you containing the code. Once that process is completed you will be able to “take control”  and add a web adress, update your products and services, hours of operation, contact #’s and emails, as well as provide driving directions.  This will take a little time as well as effort, but well, well worth it in the long run.

Google Places explained in simple terms

Video #1

Video #2

Google Places Terms to know: Directly from Google’s website  (our explanation below)

Actions : The total amount of clicks a user makes to find what they are looking for on a places page, including requesting more information, viewing photos, or getting driving directions.  The less actions the better.

Active : Your Places page is live and can be searched and found through Google Search Engine and Google Maps. Being Active is a good thing!!

Edit : Once you verify your are the owner, you can always edit and create new information, content, etc.

Impressions :  How many times your business listing has showed up in results.  The more the better, if you have a lot of impressions but no interest, you should reevaluate your content and layout.  See Social Media Optimization for some ideas.

Needs action : Self explanatory, you need to do something.  Follow instructions on Paces admin page.

Pending : Just wait for something to be verified…nothing you need to do, unless this changes to Needs Action.

Processing : This will happen after you’ve uploaded content.  It is being reviewed.

Suspended : You have chosen for you Places page to no longer be found on Google.  To undo this, click on Resume Display.

Validate by mail : Initial set up requires you to verify you are the owner of controlled of this business.  If you choose mail, you will receive a post card containing your PIN and instructions to activate you new Places page.

Validate by phone : Initial set up requires you to verify you are the owner of controlled of this business.  If you choose by phone (which we highly recommend), you will have to use a phone number tied to that business and be prepared to answer it to receive the PIN to activate you new Paces page.

 

Type of content to make available:

Text based content describing your business.  Images and pictures to promote your business brand.  Also, ability to integrate up to 5 videos from YouTube directly into you Google Places page.  Take advantage of all of these.  The more you do the better the odds are you’ll be found.