Optimising for Google Places - Climbing to #1 on Google Maps

By admin on 15 July 2010 @ 2:49 PM.

Tags: google places, google local business, google local search, google maps, google maps optimisation, google places optimisation, local search, local search optimisation, ranking for local search.

Since the incredible response from our popular advanced optimisation for Google Local Business article many features have been added to the system as well as it changing name to Google Places. Well from our detailed articles on how to optimise your listings on local search to rank #1 ahead of your competitors, this has resulted in many more clients for Clubnet Search Marketing signing up for our Google Places optimisation where we have/are working towards getting them all ranked on the first page of local results for a good handful of their target keywords.

With ourselves, fast becoming a specialist in ranking for local seach, we thought it only made sense to write a new updated article on how to rank well on Google Places, so without further ado, let's begin.

The optimisation techniques discussed in the last article linked to above will still be valid and be required for ranking well on Google Places, there are however, the introduction of more features which many are also taken into ranking factor consideration by the local search algorithm.

What's New on Google Places?

Service areas and location settings

With this new addition, businesses can select whether they provide a service to a specific district/area or any other location to where their business address is. A number of businesses would fall into this category such as plumbers, electricians and cleaners and by specifying your covered areas, plays a part in the ranking of businesses and how close their service area is to the search term entered.

This also proves useful for those home based companies that cannot/do not want to reveal their address but instead, show their service areas.

Post to your place page

This new feature gives you a mini blog on your Places business listing and allows you to post small entries that will last up to 30 days before expiring. An excellent way of announcing sales/promotions to visitors coming across your business on Google Maps.

Favourite Places

You can now add businesses to your favourite places and have them easily accessible whenever you are logged into your Google account.

Soon to come to Google Maps UK

• Featured Listings: Currently available in the US is Google's first attempt to make some money from this app and for $25 per month, you can have your business listing highlighted and stand out from the rest of your competition.
• Business Photo Shoots: Google are still currently rolling this one out but businesses can request a business shoot which is basically Google Street View but in your business. For those that didn't like the breach of privacy from Street View, this will be a whole new angle but at least you have to request it and won't happen to wake up one day to find imagery of within your business premises accompanying your Google Maps listing.
• Customised QR Codes: Soon to be available for download from your Google Places dashboard, QR codes that can be inserted onto business cards and any other business stationery so you can easily be located on Google Maps.

And with all these additional features and new ranking factors, what better way to measure your efforts with the new and improved dashboard. A super tool detailing how many impressions your listing has received, what activity has occurred on it and what search queries displayed your listing.

If you're not already on Google Maps, it's about time you were.

Not ranked high enough on Google Maps? Why not hire us for Google Places listing and optimisation

Update 03 November 2011

We have since published a more recent article on ranking/optimising on Google Places.