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Having a fully optimized Google Places page is crucial for business success today!
According to Wikipedia, local search is “the use of specialized Internet search engines
that allow users to submit geographically constrained searches against a structured
database of local business listings.” Typical local searches using Google places include
not only information about “what” the site visitor may be searching for (keywords,
a business category, name of a consumer product, etc.), but also the “where” information
(street address, city name, postal zip code, etc.). Examples of local searches using Google
places include “hotels in Knoxville” or “Charlotte Italian restaurants”.
Having a Google places Business Listing is a crucial starting point to any local search
optimization and search engine optimization process. Google places has integrated Google
Maps, Google Web searches, Google Hotpot, and a variety of other search technologies
available in the local search marketplace. Here’s what’s included Google places optimization:
• Competitive Analysis – We research Google places to find what the client’s competition
is doing that’s getting them ranked? We do this within Google places so we can match
and surpass them in all categories important to the search engines.
• Keyword/Category Research – The search engines rank sites based on keywords that
people are using to find a business, especially within Google places. The keywords then lead
to identifying the appropriate categories for our client’s Google places listing.
• Citations – Our Google places research will tell us which citation sites are being
picked up by Google places algorithms for our client’s competition. That’s where
we focus our attention by making sure our client’s business is listed within Google
places, as well as on those citation sites. • On-Page Optimization – The search engines
look for many Google places type criteria on the various pages of a website. They are
trying to find the most appropriate websites to move to the highest positions in their
rankings. So, they look for certain HTML tags, emphasis on keywords, the number of keywords
used, internal backlinks, and many other factors. We optimize these factors within Google places
based on the latest known weightings being used by Google.
• Off-Page Optimization – In addition to Google places citation site listings, which
are part of off-page optimization, we create the quantity and quality of backlinks to our
client’s site that will outstrip their competitors. • Claim the Listing – We claim the Google
places listing on the client’s behalf. We do this with the Google places listing because
it matters how and when the listing is claimed. We claim all Google places listings in the
most advantageous and timely manner possible.
We also conduct similar services with the other major search engines and directories.
When complete, the Google places optimization service is maintained and updated on a monthly
basis to continue to improve and then maintain top ranking positions within Google places.