This document discusses optimizing a business's Google Place listing for local search engine results. It recommends claiming a free Google Place listing to appear in maps, local searches, and more. Key aspects to optimize include filling out all listing details like categories, hours, photos and videos. It also recommends getting citations from other sites to validate the listing and increase rankings. The document advises getting Google reviews and evaluating listing success through analytics and word of mouth over time.

1. OPTIMIZING YOUR
GOOGLE PLACE
LISTING FOR SEARCH
Kristin Miller
WebpageFX
20% of Google searches are for a local business.

3. PLACE LISTING VIA GOOGLE PLACES
 Free, local platform from Google
 The answer for location-based local businesses!
 Help You Appear in:
 Global Search Results
 Mobile
 Google Earth
 GPS
97% of consumers search for local
businesses online.
20% of Google searches are for a local business
and 40% of mobile Google searches are for a
local business.

4. IMPORTANCE OF A GOOGLE PLACE LISTING
 A high-ranked Google Places listing is essential for
driving business to your storefront

5. PLACE LISTINGS WITHIN SEARCH RESULTS
 Search for “salon new york city”
 Map
 Listings Under Map
 Listings Under/Above Organic Results

6. ANATOMY OF A GOOGLE PLACE LISTING
 Optimized Listing Example
 Address, Phone Number, Website
 Correct Map Marker on Map
 Categories
 Hours
 Transit, if applicable
 Update from owner
 Description
 Photos and Videos
 Offers
 Reviews

8. OPTIMIZING YOUR PLACE LISTING
 Go to: http://www.google.com/local/add/businessCenter
 Add Your Business
 Fill out Everything!
 Description: keywords you’d like your listing to rank for
 5 Categories: stay relevant, try to use keywords
 Photos & Videos
 Additional Details: keywords
 Citations!

9. CITATIONS
 Mentions of your business name and address
across the Web to validate your listing and increase
Google’s confidence in it
 Examples: Yelp, Urbanspoon, TripAdvisor, Yellow
Pages, Local Chamber of Commerce website
(some free, some paid)
 Start with your website!
 Getlisted.org
 Evaluates your citations and gives a to do list
 Top 50 US Citation Sources

10. GET GOOGLE REVIEWS
 ASK 
 Link to your listing on your website
 Offer an incentive (discount, gift card, etc.) for those
who write a review on your Google listing
 Solicit reviews on marketing materials
 Newsletters
 Feedback forms

11. EVALUATING YOUR LISTING’S SUCCESS
 Analytics from Google

12. EVALUATING YOUR LISTING’S SUCCESS
 Word of Mouth

13. EVALUATING YOUR LISTING’S SUCCESS
 Offers
 Reviews

14. UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!
 Consider your Google Local Listing a beneficial
extension of your website and online presence –
keep it fresh!
 Update When You…
 Change locations
 Add a special offer
 Remodel
 Add or remove a service
 Change your business hours

15. QUESTIONS?