Google Places is a business listing tool that allows you to register your business with Google. It has been around for some time and has many benefits:
- Google often displays place pages near the top of the rankings, so you can leapfrog competitors and appear above them in the rankings
- You get your own place page, furnished with your contact details, summary, and a map so people can find you
- People can comment on your services, so you can build up a profile of trust, which is great for attracting clients and candidates who are new to your business
- It free to set-up, and easy to maintain
So how does it work? Below is a search for
IT Recruitment.
Google knows I am searching for IT Recruitment and that I am based in London, so it shows me business that match my requirements.
See how the Google places listings start at position 3 in the organic rankings,
that’s a free ranking!
There are two simple steps to getting an effective page.
Step 1: create your Google places page
Follow these instructions to set-up your pace
Google will need to confirm that you are a bona-fide business before you get your page, you will need the following information:
- Business name
- Location
- Website & phone number
- Categories
Be thorough when filling out the information, Google likes complete profiles with information, videos and photos.
Use appropriate keywords such it ‘IT Recruitment’ in your description, and make sure it reads naturally. Google frowns on ‘keyword stuffing’ and may place you lower in the rankings or reject your page if you write in a spammy way. Don’t add your keywords to your business name unless they are actually part of your name.
You can view Google’s quality guidelines here.
Step 2: Build trust by getting reviews
Just like Amazon, Google allows people to review your services and positive reviews have a massive impact on the number of people who get in touch after viewing your page. Getting reviews takes effort, but they give you an all-important advantage over competitors who don’t bother, so its time well spent.
When your consultants make a placement, ask the candidate and the client to post a review. Do it right away while everyone is feeling energised, and don’t tell them what to say as reviews written in a promotional style are unnatural and can damage trust. Make is as easy as possible by sending them the link to your page.
You don’t need hundreds, as most companies don’t have any, but a regular flow of positive comments will really help.
So there you go, a quick, easy way to appear near the top of Google and demonstrate to people that you are a credible organisation worth doing business with.
