Google has intelligently integrated Google +business pages with local small business websites.
The way it works is Google + business pages, will allow you to add your business content (services, business names, LOCATIONS, contact details, pictures…) to these new web pages.
Now you are probably wondering, if you are a small business owner, why is this important for you?
If you generate ANY local leads online, understand Google has not perfected the local search marketing listing.
Let me explain…in its simplest terms, think of the yellow pages.
In the past you would buy an ad and you will be able to get a placing in the yellow pages for your services. The model worked great back in the day, until Google was created, and they went on to create the Google search.
Now Google were smart enough to create an ONLINE platform where business owners could create a webpage on Google Local Places, and this result would normally be ranked higher than the organic search if you were searching for local services.
You are probably wondering what on earth am I talking about when I said Google has not perfected Google Local Search yet?
Understand how media has changed our integration with marketers. If you look at the television programs back in the day some of the most popular shows where Mash, and as we move along the timeline to the A Team, Knight Rider to Bay Watch.
These shows worked great in THAT time period.
Today, what are the most popular shows on TV? X Factor, Dancing with the Stars, Think you Dance, American Idol…
What makes these TV shows so different? (If you remember nothing in this article please pay attention to this one point, as this will affect the way you need to market your business in the future)
In the past you were NOT part of the audience. You could not control the outcome of the show. You had to watch the show and rely on the writers to create a mind blowing ending…for example A – Team creating the perfect plan to resolve their issues…
Today the ending of these reality shows has completely changed which shows we choose to watch. Many of these reality shows requires people to call in to vote for their favorite contestant. For the contestants to remain on the show they have to be voted in. Understand in its strangest form, this is social media.
The guys at Google tried to integrate comments on the local pages in the past but fell short. Social media play a little role but users were still restricted. Now with Google + business pages and Google Plus, this is going to affect how you rank for a local search term. The public and people in these social networks will depict how you are to be ranked!
If you are a small business owner, you would already figured by now out based on the feedback you receive on the social networks and Google +. this is going to affect your rankings.
The way we advertise and communicate will be influenced by our customers and the people around us.
In recent blog post by the senior Vice President of Engineering Vi Gundortra, he wrote a blog post today – ”But we want to make sure you can build relationships with all the things you care about–from local businesses to global brands–so today we’re rolling out Google+ Pages worldwide.”
So far the Google + has addressed connecting people with other people, but that is going to change.
I really think it’s only a matter of time you will see the integration with Google Offers!
Where you as the small business owner will be able to integrate your daily deals with your Google + business pages and be able to share these deals with other people using Google Plus, creating a viral effect.
Some of these activities on the Google + business pages will include chatting with customers and providing feedback. Companies such as Pepsi, Toyota, H&H are already using these services.
Gundotra wrote in his blog pointed out “People search on Google billions of times a day, and very often, they’re looking for businesses and brands,” “Today’s launch of Google+ Pages can help people transform their queries into meaningful connections, so we’re rolling out two ways to add pages to circles from Google search.”
How will this be integrated into the search model for Google + business pages -
One of the steps will be for customers to add a “+” sign to their search term and that will allow them to go directly to the Google + business page. For example if you search “+ Honda cars”… this will show you the local cars retained by Honda… and be taken to the Google + business page of Honda directly. The idea is to create specific relevant information!
To help local business owners Google as launched an assistant for local owners to get started how-to for companies to get their Google+ accounts up. You can click on the link above to get started.
You will also get an icon that you can place on your website, linking your Google + business pages. It’s just a matter of time before this takes off on the mobile networks.
Word of advice if you are a local business owner, do not create more than one Google + Business page if you only have one business location.
The reason is based on our consulting were able to increase small business local search results by merely deleting duplicated local pages. Google is not stupid, do not even consider buying a P.O Box address (Black Hat Strategy) to obtain more Google + business pages, so that you can rank for more than one spot in the search results.
These engineers have figured this out and will know in seconds if you have duplicate page especially if there are more than one business addresses from the same P.O.Box. Google will delete your account.
Take action today and get your Google + Business Page and start ranking before your competition.
