Is your local business really on the web?
The importance of Local Search is growing rapidly.
More and more queries on the search engines have a local intent. Around 70% of consumers have used the web to find a local business as of Sept 2011. So, is your business anywhere to be found on the web? Back in the 90’s, having a website was not enough; you had to rank on a search engine in order to be found. The same thing is happening now with local search. Google offers a great tool for businesses called Google Places. This tool allows you to create a personal page about your business location. But once you create the page, how do you get it to rank and show up on the search results page?
What can you do to improve your business profile?
The solution is simple: create a complete profile with as much information as you can and ask your customers for reviews. A couple months ago, users were able to see reviews from Yelp, TripAdvisor, and many other business review sites. Now the only reviews that are being displayed come from users that have visited your local business profile and made a review through Google.
Why are reviews so important?
Reviews give breath to your local business page. It allows your customers and potential clients to know something else about your business. You can show nice pictures of your restaurant, and fancy photos of the delicacies you offer, but how was the overall service for Peter last night? Will you have to wait in line outside during winter just to get a table in the corner? Or is the house wine a delight to your senses? This is the kind of information customers like to know before visiting your business. Google values reviews and once you have 5 or more reviews it will display a set of stars besides your Google Places page on the search engine results.
How can you get more reviews?
This is where you, the business manager has to intervene. Let your customers know that there is a Google Places page and that it’ll be great if they could give you a review. A happy customer is more likely to give you a positive review. Even bad reviews count. Google Places allows you to reply to the review and be in touch with your customers. If you have unhappy customers, why not offer them a free entrée or some other perk when they visit your business again?That customer will probably go back to your Google Places page and make an amendment to his review.
Google Places is a great tool to connect with your customers so now is the time for you to take advantage of it.
