Google Places: What It Is & Why Your Business Needs to Use It

You’ve got your website, your social media, and the ever-important word of mouth to get your company’s name out there, but how will you reach the hundreds or thousands of potential customers that are searching online for exactly the products you offer? With Google Places for Business, you’ll reach those customers, and more – for free.

Google Places allows business owners to list their business on the world’s number one search engine for free. Each listing includes the company’s name, location, hours of operation, and contact information. Once a business is listed, owners can share photos and respond to customer reviews – also for free – through their Google account. Not only will customers find your business, but they’ll also be able to communicate with you directly. And with the Google Places mobile app, you can connect with those customers from anywhere – whether you’re out testing new products or in the back room prepping your sales team for the day.

When you list your business in Google Places, it won’t just show up in Google searches. It’ll also appear on Google Maps, Google+, and mobile devices. That’s exposure for your business to millions of people, including those right in your community. By appearing on all of Google’s platforms, potential customers can find you easily and often, wherever they search.

Now, more than ever, it’s important for your business to be online and searchable. In this digital age, search engines like Google have become de facto phonebooks. A whopping 97 percent of consumers search for local businesses online, and with Google Places for Business, it’s just a matter of time until they find yours.

To list your business for free, visit www.google.com/business/placesforbusiness/. It won’t cost you anything more than a few minutes of your time.