How Real Estate Agents Can Benefit From Being on Google Places ...

Are you visible on a Google Maps search?

Most people have tried searching for a store or a business on Google Maps by now, especially from their mobile devices (iPhone, Android etc.). Are you plotted on the map somewhere? This is where Google Places comes in. Having your business registered on Google Places ensures that your business listing is available on a Google Maps search.

Here?s what the BRIXWORK {real estate} Google Places listing looks like on a mobile map. You can see the full BRIXWORK {real estate} places page on your browser.

Three (3!) Reasons why you should create a listing on Google Places

#1 ? Higher chance of appearing on search results

Having a listing on Google Places gives you a better chance of being found by people searching online. With the sharp increase in mobile device usage, more and more people are searching up business on the fly as they are on the road, using the mobile Google Maps app available on most handheld devices.

#2 ? Easier for people to find your phone number or website

Google Places listings are not a stand-alone feature. Google wouldn?t be so cruel. Each listing is linked to a website of your choice (it should be your own business site, obviously) and you can also list your phone number. It is very easy to tap on the phone number or flow through to the website from a Google Places result, no matter what device you are using.

#3 ? Show off customer reviews of your business

Assuming you provide great service and amazing products, this will be a pro for you. Users can leave independent reviews on your Google Places listing. This can be far more powerful than testimonials that you put on your own website. People know that these reviews are unfiltered, authentic and straight from the writer without any censorship.

3 Simple Steps To Set Up Your Google Places Listing

Now that we?ve established the WHY behind Google Places, let?s establish the HOW. It?s very simple actually ? Google WANTS business owners to add information about their businesses.

#1 ? Go to Google Places

Obviously, first thing you should do is to visit the Google Places page. If you?re not logged in with your Google Apps email account, you will have to do so.

#2 ? Create your listing or claim an existing one

Follow the prompts or buttons to start entering your business data. It?s very straight-forward ? just read everything on the screen carefully as you progress.

If an independent Google user has registered that a certain business or store exists, Google will attempt to find that listing based on your phone number or address entered. This is often the case with small retailers. This is probably not the case with most real estate agents, so chances are you will have to create a brand new listing.

#3 ? Verify that you belong in that address

To ensure that no false or misleading business listings are created, Google will send out a postcard to the address that you specified, which contains a verification code that you need to enter on the Google Places system in order to verify that you are indeed the owner or operator of the business at the reported location.

It may take a while to get through the postcard to arrive and all, but in the end, it?s worthwhile. You are now poised to get more local (high quality) traffic through both desktop and mobile devices, not to mention your contact info is much easier to find online for new clients.

Related posts:

Related posts:

1. Project Glass by Google

Source: http://www.brixwork.com/realtors/blog/seo/three-reasons-to-claim-your-place-on-google-places/

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