Google Tips #3: Google Places (Bing and Yahoo, Too)

There are so many online tools that sometimes it’s hard to know where to add your business. One step you DO want to take is to add your business information to the three primary search sites’ business directories. These are:

• Google Places (formerly Local Business Center)
• Yahoo! Local Listings
• Bing Local Listing Center

Adding your business information in these sites allows you to not only add your business name, address and phone number(s), but also to include your website, a description of your business, and business classifications/keywords to make it easier for web searchers to find you. The "maps" features are also driven off data in the local business directories.

All three sites work in a similar fashion, but let’s use Google as an example. Let’s say your business is an Italian Restaurant in Huntersville, NC. When I search Google using this terminology, the first listings that appear on the page show “Local Business results for Italian restaurants near Huntersville NC”, complete with a map for the first several listings.

Note that you are limited to the number of classifications you use, so you must choose wisely. Your competition will likely be there, too. These local directories sometimes offer related features you can find useful. As an example, Google allows you to post status messages with your listing, so you might post a message about an Italian festival your restaurant is hosting. Google also offers online coupons you can link to your account for web visitors to download.

So, go check it out! Two cautions for you: (1) all three require validation of the listing before it appears, which can take a couple of weeks; and (2) keep a list of all the places you have added information, including your user ID’s and passwords (sorry, they can’t always be the same!) so it will be easier to make changes at a later date, if needed. Good luck!