Nov 15 2010

Google Places Tip – Find Sites With Your Old Address

Google Places – Keeping Your Contact Information Current

Google Places has ignited a bit of discussion amongst SEO’s with the significant shift in the priority that Google has on local businesses. The shift has caused many SEO’s in the industry to explain the impact it has on their clients strategy and placement. Some have seen reduced traffic while others may not have been shaken up much.

Those who make a living providing SEO services probably got a phone call or two from clients wondering how this will change traffic, conversions and other metrics since they rely a great deal on search engine traffic. These concerns are justified considering the investment and time, but it certainly isn’t a time to panic.

Google can control how they wish to aggregate and display their SERP’s, but with the proper attention to detail and vigilance, we are able to see some very important differentiators that will keep us at the top. The bottom line is to ensure your website has deep roots within the local community it serves, the frequency and quality of ratings, and other metrics that have been left to SEO’s to figure out.

Google Places Tip – Check For Outdated Address Information

If you or your client is working on executing a strong Google Places strategy then lets look at why building a brand is important and how to go about it.

First, if your business has moved or changed address then do a search with the domain name and the address next to it.

You will find a number of profile pages that can and should be updated. The other advantage here is some of them may not have previously included a link, so as you are changing the address see about getting a link as well.

Have all of your information from Google Places handy in a file so you can copy and paste. The more consistent you are with carrying a similar message to what is on your Places Page, the more likely Google will include that in you information section which makes your Place Page stronger.

Find rating sites and ensure that you’ve registered, replied to all reviews if possible and update your information. If you have a blog, share that as well for people to keep up to date with your business. Your blog is your strongest brand building tool because it’s reach is typically much more broadly focused which provides a sense of authority and presents your brand as an influencer in the market.

Engage Locally and Sponsor Events

The great thing about this new update is that businesses who are very active and invested in their community will be acknowledged and rewarded with their rankings in Google Places.

One way to accomplish this is to setup a blog so that you can publish content about what is happening in your community, your business and build relationships by distributing valuable information your customers are interested in.

This was a guest post by Scott Golembiewski of TuneyFish Inc. located in Seattle, WA – Provides a Turnkey Blog for Businesses, specializing in the automotive industry.