Comments on: New Google Local Listing Guidelines http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/new-google-local-listing-guidelines/2419/ Because not everyone can throw thousands of dollars at the 'How do we market ourselves online?' question... Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:57:14 +0000 hourly 1 By: Paul Sherland http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/new-google-local-listing-guidelines/2419/#comment-203277 Paul Sherland Sat, 12 Jun 2010 11:17:35 +0000 http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/?p=2419#comment-203277 Chris, Google Places (formerly Google Local) now allows you to specify a service radius or specify zip codes that you service. Just log into your business Google listing and the option to select a service radius or service area will be provided when you edit your listing. This option is available in the Houston area -- not sure if it's implemented everywhere yet. Chris, Google Places (formerly Google Local) now allows you to specify a service radius or specify zip codes that you service. Just log into your business Google listing and the option to select a service radius or service area will be provided when you edit your listing.

This option is available in the Houston area — not sure if it’s implemented everywhere yet.

]]> By: Chris Wilson http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/new-google-local-listing-guidelines/2419/#comment-203204 Chris Wilson Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:56:49 +0000 http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/?p=2419#comment-203204 I am wondering why they don't design a process for companies that don't want to market large scale, but want to appear in front of more users than just their business location. ie a plumber that will travel 50 miles for jobs depending on what they are and if he does not want to do the job or doesn't have time he can pass it off to another plumber. Because if I'm a plumber and I will serve a 50 mile radius I want anyone within that fifty mile radius to find me and know that I am local. I feel the negative is when you wind up with a national company infiltrating the local market. I am wondering why they don’t design a process for companies that don’t want to market large scale, but want to appear in front of more users than just their business location. ie a plumber that will travel 50 miles for jobs depending on what they are and if he does not want to do the job or doesn’t have time he can pass it off to another plumber. Because if I’m a plumber and I will serve a 50 mile radius I want anyone within that fifty mile radius to find me and know that I am local. I feel the negative is when you wind up with a national company infiltrating the local market.

]]> By: Jason Hyman http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/new-google-local-listing-guidelines/2419/#comment-177988 Jason Hyman Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:33:47 +0000 http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/?p=2419#comment-177988 it appears that Google has sent the favorite place tag to a PO BOX. it appears that Google has sent the favorite place tag to a PO BOX.

]]> By: Albert http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/new-google-local-listing-guidelines/2419/#comment-177538 Albert Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:55:14 +0000 http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/?p=2419#comment-177538 Matt you mention above: "A property for rent is not considered a place of business. Please create one listing for the central office that processes the rentals." I rent a flat in my own house for people staying there for a couple of days in their holidays. I have also a website about this AND a Google Map. This map was a couple of weeks ago on the first page in the map listings. Now it appears when you click on the link under the first page maps for additional maps on the second page. There probably people would not look at. My question now is: Can this move to the second page relate to the new guideline mentioned above. Thanks for your help in advance. Albert Matt you mention above:

“A property for rent is not considered a place of business. Please create one listing for the central office that processes the rentals.”

I rent a flat in my own house for people staying there for a couple of days in their holidays. I have also a website about this AND a Google Map. This map was a couple of weeks ago on the first page in the map listings. Now it appears when you click on the link under the first page maps for additional maps on the second page. There probably people would not look at. My question now is: Can this move to the second page relate to the new guideline mentioned above.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Albert

]]> By: Paul Sherland http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/new-google-local-listing-guidelines/2419/#comment-177243 Paul Sherland Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:22:17 +0000 http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/?p=2419#comment-177243 Folks, I think Google is trying to stop businesses from using spammy tactics with the business name -- including keywords, locations, and phone numbers with the business name. I've seen a number of small businesses use these tactics and they seem to work pretty well in creating good placement. However if someone reports a business like that to Google, the listing generally disappears in a day or so, and the business faces filing a reinclusion request to bring its listing live again. I don't get the impression that Google is policing minor variations in the business name like "LLC" or "no LLC." If you have a registered DBA name, that is also your official business name. Something to remember here is that it probably helps the "reputation" of your listing if there are other web listings using the same business name like BOTW, Superpages, Lawyers.com for attorneys, the local Chamber, and so on. And if you refer to a website, it helps if the website also refers to the same business name and physical address. Folks, I think Google is trying to stop businesses from using spammy tactics with the business name — including keywords, locations, and phone numbers with the business name. I’ve seen a number of small businesses use these tactics and they seem to work pretty well in creating good placement. However if someone reports a business like that to Google, the listing generally disappears in a day or so, and the business faces filing a reinclusion request to bring its listing live again.

I don’t get the impression that Google is policing minor variations in the business name like “LLC” or “no LLC.” If you have a registered DBA name, that is also your official business name.

Something to remember here is that it probably helps the “reputation” of your listing if there are other web listings using the same business name like BOTW, Superpages, Lawyers.com for attorneys, the local Chamber, and so on. And if you refer to a website, it helps if the website also refers to the same business name and physical address.

]]> By: Jordan http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/new-google-local-listing-guidelines/2419/#comment-175020 Jordan Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:55:04 +0000 http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/?p=2419#comment-175020 I completely understand why Google is being so strict with the company name guidelines but I must also agree with Chris when he states that such a strict policy will keep many true brick and mortar businesses from being found. I think Google will eventually strike a balance between the two extremes. I completely understand why Google is being so strict with the company name guidelines but I must also agree with Chris when he states that such a strict policy will keep many true brick and mortar businesses from being found. I think Google will eventually strike a balance between the two extremes.

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