If you have not claimed your Google place then you need to do so without delay. Before you do so let’s consider the concept of Google places some more. If you look at search results for a local term the first page normally contains the places results together with a map with location pins. (Note: I am going to think of a search term and explore this as I write). Lets take the query “Plumber Watford”. This results in the following page which I have cropped to show the top left hand side:
You will see the paid advertising results in the pink area at the top. Interestingly these contain a blue pin which is a new feature of a PAID place. Under this are two “organic results” one of which one is a directory result and the other – surprise surprise(!) – plumberswatford.com. Under this are the (unpaid) Google place results with a red pin beside them of which I have shown the first two of seven listed. On the right hand side of the top one with a red pin it says “2 review”s and under this it says “Place Page”.
If I click on the place page it then shows:
There are two important feature here. You will see that I have ringed where it says Edit This Place — User Verified Listing. This shows the user has verified this listing.
Now look down at where the arrow is pointing. This shows the recommendations. The thing here is that Google has automatically searched around the web to find these there is no manual intervention. I this case there are only two entries one of which is neutral and the other five stars. Well at least that is a fair start. Now lets go to the next places listing…
If you look at the circled entry at the top its says Edit this Place – Business Owner. This is exactly where you will as an owner need to click and complete the online form. Google will then phone you back to confirm that you are genuine. Not that you will need a Gmail account to do this (do to Google.com and click on “Gmail” and then “Create an Account|).
But there is one more important thing about this particular place. There is one extremely bad review on it. Quote…
“cant even answer the phone properly called this place today and spoke to a highly unprofessional, unhelpful man who answered the phone ‘hello’ i didnt even know if i’d got through to the right place. thats one potential customer they lost due to lack of professionality“.
Phew! Nobody reading that is going to try this plumber. Maybe she did not get through to the right place though. It could be challenged and probably removed but the place has not even been claimed.
This was the second entry and I found it purely through chance. Reviews like this are all over the place though and this is why if you do not actively control and manage your reputation you could be liable for a terrible shock.
Postscript.
Just one thing that I did not highlight was the map on the right hand side of the results which I did not have room to include above. This looks like this:
Tip!!! One of the interesting things about this map is how the blue paid pin rings out so loudly amongst the red. This could be a great opportunity to you if there are no other paid places results related to your targeted search terms.
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