Do you know that having a Google business listing can help boost your small business promotion?

Why should I use Google Places local search?

As per Google, local business search is the highest search people do on the web.

97% of consumers search for local businesses online. Be there when they're looking for you with Google Places for business - a free local platform from Google.

So getting your business listed on a local search will help you get free and better ranking for Google places.

But wait, this isn't so easy as it sounds.

You can add your business to Google Places easily enough, but having a Google business listing in Google places that ranks well is not that easy.

How to use Google Listings to boost your promotions

Here are a few points to improve your rankings.

1. Follow Google's guidelines

No buts, no ifs. You have to make sure that you follow Google's guidelines to a T. 

2. Use proper business data

 Be sure not to spam Google by posting keywords, links, etc on your business name. Always use the exact address in proper formats like (unit/suite/level) street address, suburb, state and postcode. Whenever you are submitting to any business directory, always use the same format or data.

Don’t try to tamper your business name like placing keywords, links, etc. in the name. The more consistent you are on your submission, the more chances you get in regards to good ranking on Google places.

If any directory offers category to choose, be consistent with it too. Choosing random categories for your Google business listing on a different directory will confuse Google and will affect your ranking. 

3. Citations and quality of your citations

Google uses citations to verify your business and the ranking of your business. Citation is your business submission to different business directories.

The quality and information on those directories will be used to rank your business on Google place listing. Finding good quality business directories is also a bit tricky. 

The other day, I checked and found that SavvySME’s Google business listing seems quite good in terms of quality of citation. It has cross-linking, tagging, testimonials and ratings -- all of which are good and extremely important factors to get your ranking with Google places.

I suggest that everyone should get listed in SavvySME business directory for the good citation reputation it has. This will be for the betterment of your own business ranking. As a matter of fact, I found many businesses listed in SavvySME business directory are getting good ranking over Google places -- so you should also do the same. 

4. Reviews 

Try to get more reviews for your business on any directory listing and make sure those reviews are from a good source with the reviewer’s details on it. I found that SavvySME business directory has a good review system which they call testimonials.

Included in the testimonials are links of the people who did the review and their profile. This type of cross-linking gives a good trust rank to Google which gives better ranking. 

So guys, what are you waiting for? Take the time to work on your Google business listing to get higher ranking and bigger sales! Happy ranking.