Four steps to a Google Places listing

Searching for a particular service – let’s say, “personal injury lawyers in Brighton” – on Google Maps brings up a list with map location and addresses of all those personal injury lawyers in Brighton who have listings on Google.

The lawyers you see on that listing have been wise enough to set up their Google Places page, and so enjoy all of the free SEO benefits that registration brings.

As well as making it easier for local clients to locate your business, a free Google Places listing also has the benefit of allowing customers to rate and comment on your service, and allows you to respond to those reviews.

Law Firm Ltd based on Tottenham Court Road has a customer review rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with customers leaving positive feedback. When “law firms in London” is searched on Google, Law Firm LTD’s impressive customer rating is shown in the results. Asking your customers to rate your service is a free and simple way to build relationships with your clients.

To add your listing, follow these easy steps:

Step 1

Search for your business name on Google Places. Once you have established that you have no listing, click “Add your business”.

Step 2

Enter your contact information and the category you wish your business to be placed under. For example, selecting the category “Personal injury lawyer” helps Google to direct clients to your page when they search for certain terms. You are able to add up to five categories for this purpose.

Step 3

Once you have submitted your information, you will be told that a verification card will be sent to your business address in three to five working day. On the card, there will be a number that you will have to call to confirm your listing with Google. Once verified, the listing is yours free of charge.

Step 4

As you wait for your verification card, you can still log into your listing and edit your details. This is where you can be as creative as you want. Uploading a photo for your business will drastically increase the visibility of your brand, and adding a brief description allows clients to understand the services you offer.

The listing is connected to your Google+ page and so pictures and updates are linked to your listing when searched on Google Places.

On the left hand side of the admin page for your listing, you can now create a Google ad that is linked to the map listing with a budget you control, as well as a full page listing. A basic ad is free but, for a fee, there are premium features that offer even more benefits.