Getting found online is difficult and expensive for most businesses because of online competition, SPAM sites, and lack of resources. Getting ranked in Google Places can be a simple and very effective way to generate business but it depends a lot on customer reviews in Google (see below). The problem is that these reviews are often time consuming and complicated for consumers to submit to Google.

 

This post is for business websites that want to improve visibility in search engines and generate contacts from potential customers. 

 

Make it easy for your customers to leave reviews of your business in Google by sending them our simple Guide to Submitting Reviews to Google Places (PDF document).

 

 

Google Places is a free service that highlights local businesses on a map in the Google search results page. For example...

 

 

 

 

Google uses a set of criteria to rank these businesses, and reviews are one of the more important criteria in this ranking algorithm. 

 

Clicking on one of the links in the results list shows the profile of a business together with reviews from their clients, images and other information about the business. 

 

Local businesses get an effective way to improve their visibility on the web and for consumers its a good way to find, compare and select the best local companies.

 

Good question. The bottom line is that for reviews to be credible and useful they have to be real. Google makes customers register so that they can (somewhat) authenticate the identity of the reviewer. It has to be said that the system of authenticating reviews is still not perfect but it does help prevent some business submitting reviews about themselves. Over the past 10 years Google has shown itself to be good at identifying and preventing these fraudulent tactics pretty fast, so you’re better off doing it right rather than trying to game the system and risk penalties in the future that could jeopardize your business.

 

 

To help you get started here is a quick 3 step guide that you can share with your clients. The example I use is for shaklaw.com a bankruptcy attorney in Houston TX. Should take less than 5 minutes to complete. 

 

 

 

Thus ends the 'Guide to Submitting a Review in Google'

 

 

Finally if you want to print this follow this link (3 Step Guide on How to Submit a Google Places Review) and consider sending it to your customers.

If in doubt don't hesitate to get in touch with us about the power and importance of local seo.