Yep, it’s true!  There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people who have created sales for…

…their business by simply having a listing in Google Places!  (Think of it as today’s version of having a YellowPages listing!)

As you can see in the screenshot above – having top placement in the list - with reviews – even adds more of a punch!

In a future blog post, I’ll be discussing ‘freshness’ in relation to the way Google indexes, views and ranks its listings, but for now all you need to know is that it’s VERY important to:

a) Have your business listed, and claimed, in Google’s Places for Business.
b) Assure you are continually asking your customers to provide a review in your Google Places listing (this assures Google views you as “fresh” and continues to rank your listing higher and higher!)

So, how do you do all of this?  Let’s review…

How do I assure my business is claimed?

The easiest way to do this is to simply Google your business name.

1. Go to www.Google.com.
2. Type your business name in the search box.
3. Find your Google Places listing (it will show up with a “pin point” and your address).
4. Click on your business name.
5. If your business listing in Google hasn’t been claimed, it will offer the option to claim it.

Another method that is helpful is to use www.GetListed.org, which will not only assure your business is claimed in Google, but also in many other popular online business listings sites as well (including: Bing, Yelp, Yahoo!, HotFrog, and YP.com).

If you’re feeling really ambitious, definitely run through GetListed after you’re completed your Google Places listing!

Please keep in mind - Having your business listed, with a link to your web site (if you have one), helps your web site gain popularity and show up higher in the search results!  (Pretty cool, eh?)

How do I do a Google review?

This process is very simple, and requires that you have a Google account.  If you don’t have one, you can set one up here.

1. Go to www.Google.com.
2. Search for the business you want to review.
3. Look for their “Places” listing (see screenshot below).
4. Click on their existing “Reviews” (sometimes the “Write a Review” link will appear too, if it does, click that!)
5. Click on “Write a Review“.
6. One you’re in the review form, click your ranking (5 is the highest), and write your review!
7. When you’re done, click “Publish“.

How should I ask my clients for reviews?

Over the last three years, my Internet Marketing team and I have tested & measured the most effective ways to do this, and these two methods have produced the best results:

1. Online – Send them an email asking if they’d be so kind as to review your business on Google.  It’s very important to assure you direct them to your listing with a link, and tell them to click “Write a Review”.
2. Offline – Create a very simple postcard that says “Did you enjoy the service (or product) we provided?  Please help us let the world know by reviewing us online!”
   Again, it’s very important to direct them to your Listing (this is best done with a shortened URL, such as a bit.ly address, for example, our Internet Services Group of Florida shortened URL for our listing is: http://bit.ly/isgreview.  Also, Bit.ly lets you test & measure how many people actually use your shortened URL, and, as an AWESOME bonus, provide a free QRCode – you can see ours below for that link).  Hint: Be sure to include the QRCode on your postcard.

Our Google Places QR Code (use your Smartphone, or Tablet, with a QRCode app [Download free Apple QR Code App][Download free Android QR Code App], to be taken directly to our Google Places page!)

I hope this helps you, if you have any questions please feel free to let me know, or comment below!

In the meantime, if you like this blog post, feel free to review us on Google!  Thanks so much.

Have a great day,

Charly
ISGFL