Using Google Local Business Center
Google Local Business Center (also called Google Places or Google Maps) is trying to make local search results more relevant.
Often sites listed in the Local Business Center will be listed at the top of search results next to a map. This depends on the search query and the listings Google has.
There are advantages to being listed (any Google product has its advantages in Search Engines e.g. YouTube videos)
It allows you to confirm your listing via an automated PIN that can be phoned or posted to you to confirm your listing.
Note this seems to have changed to a post card only possibly to ensure only authentic addresses are used.
How to set up a Local Business listing
 If you do not have a Google account you need to set one up - the one login can be used across many products. You can set one up at step 2.
 Go to Google Local Business Center login to your account - enter the details of your business
Google can locate you on its map from your address information.
Enter your category - this is important to be listed accurately. There is other information you can also add like payments accepted.
 Finally Google will (based on your choice) contact you to confirm your entry before it is listed. (Note this appears to have changed to Post Card only now)
Raising your local business center ranking in Google
These are not definitive answers as I don't really know but are suggestions based on my research
- Update your listing add Photos Videos from YouTube etc.
- Send links to your actually listing from your website
- Use keywords in your company name (a bit late now you may say)
- Obtain ligitimate reviews
The rankings in Google local business center have a different alogorithm than normal 'organic' search results in Google. Actively using it and adding content would certainly improve your ranking.
Update: There is a relationship to your web search ranking and your results in Google Local Business Center results. Perhaps this is an update from Google in response to established sites getting trumped by sites using Google Local Business Center. When I have some more info I will post it here.
Refer to Google Places help
Changing a Google Places Listing - can't find login details
In some cases your Google Maps or Google Places listing appears without you even submitting it. This can happen via arrangements Google has with organisations e.g. True Local or from Social Network sites. It is important to claim your listing especially if you did not set it up in the first place.
However you may want to change your listing but cannot or do not even have a username or password. With my clients I will usually set the Google Places info up for them on an email I create that initially is forwarded to me. The issue is verification.
The Google Places Quality Guidelines mention "If possible, use an email account under your business domain."
In one of my clients cases Lloyd was very high up in Google on building inspections Gold Coast. He had been up there for some years and then all of a sudden was dropped from the listings. He had a Google Maps/Places entry however this was not alligned with his site and he did not originally setup that listing.
We had to setup another account for Lloyd and Google recognised the existing listing and successfully amalgamated the 2 listings. This had to be verified but at least Lloyd only had to take a phone call and pass the verification number to
How to claim your Google Places Listing
If you have a listing that is referring to your business but you do not have the login details try the following-:
- Click on your listing
- Click on Edit this page
- Follow the prompts to claim the page
Feel free to contact Phil on 07 55320651 if you need help re aligning a listing or setting up a listing.
Google Maps
Google maps can be added to your site and integrated into databases e.g. check Gold Coast Accommodation Map and Marine Centre Virtual Trail as examples we have created.
So if you would like to be at the top of search engines and have a site with some technical advantages please contact us.
I do have a SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) package for $ 1100 that includes active tracking and minor alterations to that site to really give it a boost. It also includes generating quality links to improve overall page rank.
Read our article Yellow Pages vs Search Engines.
Check our portfolio of web designs »
Phil Hoile - GoldCoastLogin.com.au programmer
Griffith University Lecturer in industry courses
- eBusiness, advanced eBusiness & eCommerce
Email Me
|
