Google Places Optimization

Google Places Optimization

A few statistics you should know about Google Places Optimization

• 73% of all online action is related to local content.
• 66% of Americans turn to the Internet to locate local businesses.
• 82% of local searchers follow up their search with a phone call or walk-in.
• 53% of U.S. online consumers now research products online then buy over the phone or at a local store.
• 43% of search engine users investigate or shop online then buy locally.

Last year Google changed the way they approach local search with the introduction of Google Places. Google Places now dominates the top half of the 1st page of results for local search. If your business isn’t in the first 7 listings of Google Places or just below Google Places on the 1st page of organic rankings you are needlessly losing customers every single day.

The Google Places ranking algorithm is a mystery to many and seems to be changing almost on a weekly basis. LocalWarrior.com has  local search experience and have studied the new Places algorithm deeply. Our methodology has been tested and proven to be very effective at getting our clients ranked in the 7-pack of Google Places as well as in the 1st page organic results.

If you’re a business providing services to your local area but haven’t yet claimed your Google Places listing you’re in good company: an estimated 90% of local businesses haven’t taken this important step. Those businesses run the risk of someone else claiming their listing, potential customers being presented with inaccurate information and missing out on valuable traffic and leads.

With a massive 97% of consumers using the internet to search for local suppliers of goods and services business owners cannot afford to ignore Google Places.

And it’s not enough to just claim and verify your listing. Google gives much greater prominence to the 7 highest ranked businesses in any given area, the so-called Magnificent 7.

These sites receive a disproportionate amount of the traffic, typically 40% for the top listing and 15% for the second placed listing. Very few visitors will search beyond the first page, so if your business isn’t in the top 7, you’re nowhere.