Update: Since the original posting of this article in 2011, Google has dramatically changed their process for creating listings for businesses. As a result of these changes, we are now unable to create listings for our customers in the Google Places directory. We still strongly urge all business owners to create listings in Google Places (or claim existing ones), and are here to assist you in that process!

Understanding Google Places Listings.

For years, when members would sign up for our free Directory Listings service, we would review the information submitted, add it to our online Directory Database and work to ensure that this information showed up on Google’s Business Directory; Google Places.

The Directory Database is used by over 100 online Directories as a trusted resource. These Directories, such as Yahoo, Bing, Yellowpages, etc, would take this information and use it to create and/or update online listings for businesses.

Google Places, sometimes known as Google Local and is now being called “Google My Business” is connected to Google Plus and shows on Google Maps:You may be familiar with the red “balloons” or “upside down teardrops” showing business location on Google Maps, which open up a “word bubble” with more information about the business.

Traditionally, it has been easy for third parties such as ourselves to create listings on Google Places, as long as we’ve worked with the business owner to verify the information. Unfortunately, Google has changed policies making it much harder for us to create, and especially to verify, these listings. As a result, we’ve had to switch roles from creating these listings to serving as advisers to our members. However, this does allow a business owner to have more hands-on control of the listing, which provides many more features for those interested in using them.

Google Places Listings show up in searches using the Google Search Engine, which is what most people think of when they think “Google”. Please note that when we say “listing” we specifically refer to the “pins” with a business listing on Google Maps, not search results. For more information about how we work on your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) please contact [email protected]

Most directories allow any trusted account to create and edit listings without much additional effort, but Google’s notoriety makes Google Places the first target for spammers, scammers, and other ne’erdowells. In order to confirm that every business shown on Google Places is a real “brick and mortar” establishment, Google sends a letter containing a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to your office. While it seems strange for the company behind many of the most popular online tools to use “snail mail,” this means that Google will know that the address is real, physically exists, and is connected to your business.

Our Process

When you sign up  for Directory Listings, we search for any existing listings on Google Maps; some of our members may have created their own listings, others may have had listings created via another service they have worked with. Some listings are created “organically” by Google itself.

Organic listings often contain data drawn from other directories or online resources, so unfortunately, if you have old or incorrect information in one online source, it may be repeated. If we find any existing listings, we’ll let you know, make any obvious edits (like adding a link to your website) and check with you if the existing listings need further editing. While we do what we can to help our customers address any errors found, we may have little to no control over information on websites that got your information from other sources.

Historically, if we didn’t find a Google Places Listing online, we created one. Unfortunately, the new policies and control panels do not allow us to verify Listings, even ones we’ve already created. As a result, we will be contacting our members if and when we learn that their listing may need to be recreated and/or reverified.

Creating a new Google Places Listing:

To create (or claim) a Google Places Listing for your business, you first need a Google Account. If you have Gmail, you already have a Google Account, although Google suggests having a Google Account specific to your business using domain-based email addresses. For instance, if your website is example.com, you might use [email protected]. If you have a website with us and need help creating and using a domain-based email address, please let us know.

If you don’t have a Google account, or would like to create additional ones, you may do so for free at https://accounts.google.com/SignUp

Another key reason to have a Google Account is so that you can take advantage of Google Analytics. Google Analytics is the industry standard tool for tracking traffic to your website, and it can provide you with powerful information about your site visitors, what pages they view, how long they stay on the site, and how they are finding you. Analytics allows you to quantitatively track the results of your site promotion efforts – giving you the data you need to tune your site for the best results.

When you have a business account, you may create and verify your listing(s) via https://www.google.com/business/

Businesses with multiple offices should create a unique listing for each location.

Editing or Claiming an Existing Listing:

The easiest way to edit an existing listing has usually been to do so via the account it was created in. You may have created a listing yourself, or someone you’ve worked with in the past may be managing your listing

If we created your listing and want any changes, just tell us what edits you’d like us to make, if it’s physically possible and within Google’s guidelines, we’ll take care of it for you. However, if we did not create the listing, it often is easiest for the business owner to edit existing listings. If you created the listing, this may be done via the Google Account originally used. In most cases, Google allows anyone to use the “Edit details” link on the listing. We recommend referencing your website as a reference to any requested edits.

Listings for Private Addresses

As we were last informed, Google Places requires an exact street address, unless your business is based on you going to your client’s location. If you have a delivery/house-call radius, or can provide a list of locations you travel to, we can opt to hide your physical address. Otherwise, if you don’t have a “brick and mortar” location, Google will not verify the listing.

While there are ways to submit to other listings, the best way to have maximum promotional exposure is to have a physical office location you’re willing to promote, even if it’s not where you do most of your business.

Rich M – CoachingWebsites Listings and Support
Email any questions to [email protected]