Tips On Using Google Places For Advanced Search Engine Optimization

Once you’ve taken the appropriate steps to optimize your company’s website content and pages, and you’ve developed a plan to use consistent blog posts to produce ongoing fresh content for your site, a simple tactic for advanced search engine optimization (SEO) is getting your business listed on Google Places. Not only is a Google Places listing free but it’s a way to ensure your site is found in local searches. This post will take you through the steps to create your listing on Google Places and how to fully optimize your listing.

1. To begin, go to http://www.google.com/local/add/, log in using your Gmail or Google account, and then enter your business phone number to determine if your business currently has an unclaimed listing.

2. If a listing isn’t found, or even if it is, Google will have various fields for you to enter your business information: website URL, company description and up to 5 categories that apply to the services your company has to offer. Be sure to use your target keywords within the description and category form fields.

3. Before your page is live and visible to the public you’ll need to validate your listing by proving you’re the business owner or an employee. You’ll either be presented with the option to receive your validation pin via mail or phone (depending on if your business is currently listed with a valid phone number).

4. Once you’ve been granted ownership over your listing enhance your page by uploading photos, videos and updates (similar to a Facebook or LinkedIn page update). Updates are a great way to promote your blog, key pages on your site, or a specific offer that directs to a landing page on your site.

Sounds easy, right? All this said and done should take 15 minutes or less of your time and will improve your company’s visibility in local searches.