• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Good Books
  • Tools
  • Blog
  • Darren
  • Contact
  • Hire Me
Small Biz Geek

Small Biz Geek

Small Business Design, Marketing & Technology Journal

Solving small business design, marketing & tech problems

  • The Internet
  • Marketing
  • Graphic Design
  • Web Dev
  • Web Design
  • Social Media
  • Privacy & Security
  • Tech
  • Misc

The Power of Google Plus for Local Businesses

Published: September 17, 2013; Updated: April 15, 2017 Filed Under: Internet, Marketing, Social

The Power of Google Plus for Local BusinessesSocial media sites are continuing to gain influence in Google’s ranking algorithm. Naturally, Google favour their own social site in search results.

When Google Plus came out several years ago I paid little attention and considered it a typical “me too” product. Afterall, how could anyone rival Facebook for sheer volume of active users?

Google Plus, it turns out, lives up to its name not in its social media functionality but the powerful integration with Google Maps.

The opportunity to get a chance of ranking higher for local keywords is available to businesses who leave a Google shaped digital footprint. You may have already noticed that local business keyword queries (“local carpet fitter” for example) returns indented results at the top of the Google results page.

Google Plus

These results are map listings leading either to the Google Plus Local page, or, if the webmaster has set up the website URL in the Plus Local dashboard, will lead to the website itself.

In a nutshell, your website can piggyback off the popularity of Google Map/Plus Local listings assuming you take some time to improve and add to the content of your listing. If you are not yet actively using or promoting your business using these free Google listings this, consider making provision to make this part of your marketing strategy.

Don’t just upload crap content and then forget about it. Actually use your G+ page to interact with other local businesses or community groups. Socialise and start generating some real interest.

Google Plus

This free method of boosting a website is often overlooked and business owners instead tend to throw large amounts of money at local newspaper and magazine ads to their detriment.

Google Plus Local Listings are Free

Google Plus is in the process of undergoing certain changes that will eventually see a simplified dashboard combining the various services Google own.

Google Plus Page Setup

Assuming you have a Google Map listing this means you already have a Google Plus Local page (click here to view my local biz G+ Local page).

New Google Plus Layout

Your Google Plus Local page is basically a very well functioning local business directory listing, perhaps the daddy of directories.

Many small business owners are not even aware of this and it is not until I always strongly advise they log in to their page to improve upon and add to the content that they realise the true power of this free resource.

A lot of these Plus pages (even with little content) rank highly in uncompetitive local niches for particular keywords. Taking ownership of the Plus page and improving the information and appearance is a no brainer.

Google Plus Brands Vs Google Plus Local

One thing that needs pointing out is the two different versions of Google Plus. This is very confusing to most people and can take a while for some to make the distinction.

Google Plus for Brands is not the same as Google Plus Local.

Google Plus Brands was initially launched to act in a similar manner to Facebook Pages and featured various types of social functionality such as status updates, shares, photos etc.

Google Plus Local is more to do with pin pointing your physical location on the maps feature as well as receiving customer reviews.

Google Plus Local and Brands Pages

If you’re a local shop/store or a business contingent on some geographical location, it is best to register for one of the Local pages, and get all the benefits of being literally on the Map.

Maps for Local Businesses

When this article was first published (September 2013) I was still seeing Google Places references, but now, in October 2014 I am beginning to see changes. This is reflected in some of the new Maps functionality as well as the new shiny graphics they are rolling out to illustrate the benefits.

Make Smarter Choices

How to Register

If you can receive mail at the address of your local business, Google will send a postcard. On this postcard is a PIN which you will need to enter into your Google Plus dashboard.

Alternatively, you can provide a phone number and choose to receive an automated telephone call in which a prerecorded voice provides a 4 digit PIN. Be ready with pen and paper!

Verfity Google Map

You can either receive a postcard or automatic phone call with a PIN number

If it is a Brand page you’re after, no postcard address validation is needed. You can register for both types of pages if you want (I did, to test them both) but you may find it divides your focus or promotional activities when it comes to ongoing/future marketing.

If you are setting up Google Plus for the first time, having neither a Brand or Local page, just go ahead and sign up here.

YouTube and Google Plus Integration

YouTube is another one of the services fully integrated with Google Plus. In fact, after Google Search itself, YouTube is the number 2 traffic source. This should not be ignored given its massive traffic potential, not to mention how Google Search perceives your online business presence if you have a registered YouTube channel with a couple of half decent videos.

YouTube Button

You can link your Google Plus to a YouTube channel in the Plus dashboard. Within your YouTube settings you can link to your main website too which means there is a reciprocal system in place.

This interlinking step is crucial, signalling to Google you are a serious marketing contender worthy of being ranked that bit higher.

Once you have YouTube and Plus linked to one another you can begin filling your YouTube and Plus page with useful, interesting, compelling marketing video content.

Google YouTube Integration

YouTube statistics will populate your Plus dashboard once the two services are properly linked. Open up your “Creator Studio” in YouTube and go through all the settings.

YouTube-dashboard

Make sure you set everything up properly in the back end. This might involve SMS verification to unlock all the features. Makes sure you connect your website URL to your YouTube channel as well as your Plus page.

Google Plus YouTube Back End Settings

Google Plus, YouTube and your website all need to talk to each other for the maximum benefits in search engines. But remember what I said! Don’t neglect regular content updates and activity.

Adding Managers to Google Plus

If this Google Plus stuff is confusing, you can always add a manager to your account and have them take care of it on your behalf.

Maybe you have staff, employees, designers etc who can ramp up the content, logistics and marketing activities of your various Google accounts. Rather than explaining it at length in written form, I’ve put together a quick video demonstrating it.

(Bear in mind your dashboard might look a bit different since Google are constantly streamlining the look and feel.)

Watch video on YouTube

Useful links

Google Plus Page Setup – Follow this link to set up your page. Choose your preferred type of page.

You Might Also Be Interested In...

  • Theresa May’s Snoopers’ Charter Gives Unprecedented Legal Surveillance Power to Spooks
  • The Long Term View on Digital Marketing
  • Nuisance Calls, Emails and Empty Promises: The Bungling Incompetence of Yell.com πŸ™‰

Filed Under: Internet, Marketing, Social Tagged With: Google, Google Plus, Local, Marketing, SEO, Social, Trends

About Small Biz Geek

I'm Darren, helping small businesses with design, marketing & tech.

Small Business Website Design

Do you need help with something web related?

Hire Me

Reader Interactions

Subscribe to Blog Feed by Email

Your email address won't be shared. You'll never be spammed. Check your inbox to confirm opt-in.

Add Your Thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address is safe and will NOT be shared with anyone else.

Hateful, spammy or abusive comments will not be tolerated.

For more information please see the comment policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Search Website

Latest Blogs

  • Is Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) the Answer to the Future of Search? 🎨
  • How Hiding Your Phone Number and Using a Booking System Repels Time Wasters and Helps “Positioning” πŸ—“οΈ
  • “Fucking Good Content” – Dan Kelsall (Book Review) πŸ“˜
  • Scam Poetry: The Time I Was Recruited to the Cult of Amway ⚠️
  • A Story of Seductive Social Media Success and Neglected Email Strategy 🏚️
  • The Classic Social Media Trend Destined to Ruin Your Business 😭
  • Looking for Online Work? Don’t Fall for this Fake Hays Recruitment WhatsApp Scam ⚠️
  • Cream of the Crap: How Fake Reviews, Bad Businesses and Dangerous Products Rise to the Top πŸ’£
  • Exposed: The Hong Kong Investment “Fraud Recovery” Scammer Deceiving Victims πŸ€‘
  • Computer Says No: Does Your Website Work for People with Disabilities? β™Ώ
  • Chinese Tinder Profiles Are Using Photos of Pretty Girls to Scam “Investors” πŸ’‹
  • Small Biz Owners “Trapped” Using Email Addresses Belonging to Internet Service Providers 🪤
  • In the Pandemic, QR Codes are Finally Proving Worthy in the West 😷
  • Small Businesses Finally Start Marketing… and All It Took Was a Global Pandemic 🏁

Footer

Primary Navigation

Home
About Darren
Good Books
My Tools
Blog Posts
Hire Me
Contact Me

Derby & Nottingham Area

The Internet
Marketing
Graphic Design
Website Development
Website Design
Social Media
Technology
Miscellaneous
Privacy & Security

Let’s Connect

Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS

Small Business Blog · Privacy Policy · Commenting Policy · Website Disclaimer · ICO number: ZA305900


Written and designed by Ilkeston Web Design

  • Home
  • Good Books
  • Tools
  • Blog
  • Darren
  • Contact
  • Hire Me