Have You Signed Up For Google Places Yet?

We’ve talked a lot recently about maximizing free SEO (search engine optimization). I’m going to challenge you all yet again by pushing you to check out and sign up for Google Places. Google Places, released in July 2010, replaces the “old” Google Maps, promising businesses high search ranking and instant access to hours, menus, photos, service provider area, and other valuable information at your fingertips.

We can thank Google’s failure to acquire the service review powerhouse Yelp last year for its upgrade in Google Places. Yes, Google still wants to be known as the go-to place for finding any and all information on the go. This is good for your business, too! It means prospects and clients alike can actually find your business, place reviews, and obtain all information they need to access you instantly (even via mobile)!

What happens when you Google your favorite restaurant? If they’ve done their marketing right, they’re not only on the first page for a search like “pizza Portland, Oregon,” but they’ve added themselves to Google Places—which allows them to show up at the top of the page with a nice little map indicating their direct location.

So now I ask you, what happens when you Google your own business? If you have a website, hopefully that shows up when you search your business name, city and state. If not… evaluate what does show up and how you might put yourself in the running.

If your business depends on client accessibility and people actually physically finding your location to purchase products or services, it is absolutely imperative you list your business on Google Places. Taking it a step further, get yourself a website or start a blog sharing your expert knowledge in your field. This will not only increase your credibility, but it will raise you up in the general Google search rankings as well with consistent fresh new wonderful content!

I understand times are tough and sometimes money is tight, but do yourself a favor by dedicating the next 10 minutes to signing up for Google Places, and if anything at all at least have your business show up somewhere in the search results. Yellow Pages is out; Google search is in.

You have two choices: Jump on board or get left behind. Which do you choose?

To discover how you can leverage your brand through Social Media or learn more about our web development services, visit Peaceful Media or email Lacy, our Project Guru, at projectguru@peacefulmedia.com.