How to Get Set Up with Google Places and Google+ Local

Google Places has been Google's local social media site for a long time, and is now integrated with Google+ Local. Like other geographically based sites, it's meant for people who are searching for local businesses. Customers can write reviews and businesses can use the site to keep in better touch with their customers.

Google Places is integrated with all of Google's other products such as Google Maps and YouTube, as well as Google+. In addition, there is a new Google Places dashboard where you can manage both your Google+ Local Page and your Google Places listing information, all in one place. In the past, businesses had to manage them both separately.

Google Personal and Business Account

In order to create a listing, you first need a Google account. If you use Gmail, Google+, or any other Google products, you have a personal account already. You'll then need to use your personal account to create a business account, or Google+ Page. This is an account used exclusively by businesses.

The difference between a business and regular account is that with a business account, you can choose admins and grant other users access to the account without giving them access to your personal email address.

Whenever you interact on Google products as your business, you will appear as a business to other users, rather than as a personal user. Pay attention to which account is logged in at all times, and make sure that any commenting or other activity you do as your business is on brand.

Add Your Business

On the Google Places homepage, log in with your business account.

Before creating a listing, make sure there isn't one already. You'll see a tab that says 'Find your business’. Use this first to see if your particular business is already listed. It will be there already if someone has reviewed you. If you find your business there, follow the steps that Google gives you to verify that it's your business.

If your business is not already there, click 'Add a new listing’.

You'll be redirected to a page where you can fill out your basic information. For your business name, use your company's real name, which is the most familiar to your customers. Add the branch location if necessary. Here you can also add your address, phone number, and URL.

Choosing Categories

The next page allows you to add more detailed information. It will ask you to choose a category for your business, allowing to you choose up to five. Start by picking the main category that best describes your business. You're allowed to add up to five categories, and you should definitely use them all, as they give your customers more ways to find you.

Categories are keywords that will bring up your listing in search results. Choose any that apply to you. Google will make suggestions, but you're free to enter your own. Try to imagine what your customers will be searching for. Think of all the products and services you offer and list the most important ones as categories.

More Details and Photos

You'll need to fill out other information, such as hours of operation and payment methods taken. It's important to fill out each field completely. The more detailed information you can offer about your business, the better customers will be able to find you.

At this point, you can upload photos and videos. These are important because they too will show up in searches. You're allowed up to ten photos, and it's a good idea to use them all. The main photo should be your business logo or other main image. Other photos can be products or anything else that relates to your business. Videos can be added directly from YouTube.

Verifying Your Account

The final step is to verify your account. You can do this by postcard in the mail. You'll receive a PIN number that you enter into your listing's page. Once this is done, it can still take a week or two before your listing appears in Google+.

Google Places and Google+ Local

Since Google Places is now integrated with Google+ Local, any information you update in Places should also update in your Google+ Page. If you have the new dashboard, those updates will happen almost immediately.

With a Google+ Local page, you can make use of the social media site's features like Hangouts. At the same time, your Google+ Local listing will not only have the social media features, but will also show reviews from your Google Places listing. This integration takes advantage of all of the features of both Places and Google+.