It may surprise some, but many small businesses new to inbound marketing are unaware that you can get some free advertising on Google through Google Places. And because Google is always looking to increase the value of its local search results -- as well as its Google Maps application -- the search engine giant has a simple way for you to provide them with that valuable information about your business, which it infuses it into its search engine results.
The benefit? Basically, a way to advertise your business on Google for free. And honestly, who doesn't love some free advertising? This not only helps your business get found through searches; it can also help you get more traffic, leads, and customers.
Consider this example: When you search for "hotels, Boston," the Boston Harbor Hotel ranks #1 in the Google Places search results. And to the right of the result, you can see all the information that the Boston Harbor Hotel has placed in its Google Places listing. They've included reviews, hotel information, and pictures of the hotel and its surrounding area. Not too shabby a setup, is it?
Are you ready to get some free advertising on Google? Let's get started.
What You Need to Get Your Free Google Places Advertisement
In order to set up your Google Places listing, you'll need the following information at hand:
- A description of your business
- Your phone number, address, and any other contact info you want to advertise
- A logo or image that represents your business (for example, some people use a picture of their office, store, or restaurant)
- A coupon or special offer you want to advertise (Google also lets you add a coupon for FREE if you want)
In your listing, you can include any information you think is relevant to your business and will attract people to your company. To set up a Google Place listing, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Set Up Your Account
Visit http://www.google.com/places/. To set up your business on Google Places, click the 'Get Started Now' button below the text, “Get your business found on Google.”
Your Google Places account will be connected to your Google account. Here, you can enter the country and phone number. Keep in mind that you will need to connect this to a valid phone number, as it's important to have your business’ number in your Google Places listing. When people search for you, you'll want them to easily be able to call you, especially on mobile devices.
Once you input your phone number and country, Google will search to see if your listing already exists. Keep in mind that you can edit a current listing at any time to display new information about your business. If you don't yet have a listing, you can also create one from scratch.
Step 2: Fill in Your Information
If Google Places doesn’t identify any business information online for you, you can manually add it. After filling out your phone number, Google will prompt you to input more information. As you complete your information, Google will automatically generate what the Places advertisement will look like on the right, including the map image. Make sure you're satisfied with the appearance of your listing. Keep the description short and to the point, capturing the main concept of your business and product or service. You can add anything you want, including a coupon link for your business to attract more customers to your website.
Making sure you include a phone number and email address enables people who are interested in learning more about you to contact. The volume of people who will see this listing can be large, so make sure your contact information is both up to date and checked regularly for people inquiring about your business.
Step 3: Specify Where Your Services Are Provided
You can also set up whether or not your business provides services in a certain area or areas. This will allow your business to appear on map listings. When people search for a business similar to your listing, your business will appear on a map within a specified range.
You can then select which location(s) your services cover(s). The map will show you what
area will be covered by choosing this option:
If you choose option #1 (“Distance from one location”), the map will show a general area that will be covered by your services. You can then choose what location will be the central point:
If you prefer to serve only certain cities or areas within a city, you can choose the second option and pick the areas you serve. This option can be helpful for companies that are only able to serve a certain area, such as a pizza delivery company, or in a very niche market, like a jet ski company on a beach.
Step 4: Indicate Your Hours of Operation
Another aspect of an effective Google Places advertisement is the hours your business operates. Often, when people are searching for your business, they're looking to see when you're open, and Google allows you to include this directly in your listing.
Step 5: Specify Payment Options
If you sell products or services directly to your customers, either online or in-store, you have the option to let customers know ahead of time what forms of payment you accept. Specify which payment options apply in this step.
Step 6: Include Engaging Visual Content
Do you have a video explaining what your business is all about? Maybe something people often associate with your brand name? Add it to your Google Place listing to make your offer even more eye-catching. People are much quicker to respond to visual content than text. In fact, according to 3M Corporation and Zabisco, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual, and visuals are processed 60,000X faster in the brain than text. With this in mind, marketers can benefit from visuals to attract more eyes to their listing and, thus, more traffic to their website.
Step 7: Input Additional Information
You can include other information that may be vitally important to potential customers at your place of business or at your online retail site at the end of the listing set-up process. This information can range from details about the location if it's difficult to find, to information about the products and services your business provides. Use this as an opportunity to tell potential customers why your business is worth a second look. For example, if you're a cell phone vendor, and you have a surplus of the latest version of the iPhone when all other local businesses are sold out, let people know! You might just get more business than you think.
Step 8: Validate Your Location
Finally, the first time you create a Google Places listing, you will need to validate your location. This helps Google avoid fake listings and advertisements. Google will send you a postcard with verification information and next steps on it. Although it may seem like a pain to wait 2-3 weeks before your listing can get verified and become live, it saves us all in the long run from a plethora of spam listings when we use Google Search to find places in the future.
Google Places allows marketers to give customers a good user experience, by giving as much information as possible in the first place the majority of people look: Google Search. Good luck!
Inbound Marketing Blog Feed
nate 3:11 PM on June 13, 2007
Holy crap that is cool. Combine that with a free disposable cell phone number, http://numbr.com I will soon be #1 on Google for what I want. Done!
B.D. Joenoes 12:32 AM on June 14, 2007
Thank for the useful tips, every little things you did is a million help for others
Amit Desai 10:12 AM on June 20, 2007
brilliant idea mike. every time i visit the small business hub there is something new and interesting .. i love the content here
Tara 5:13 PM on June 27, 2007
Where in the world would small business be without the internet. The exchange of tips and ideas is priceless. We are all busy, but to take the time to share is truly american. Thanks Again!
Travis Register 12:40 AM on June 28, 2007
Thanks for the info. Hope this helps us grow.
Fannie Butler 1:42 PM on July 01, 2007
Thanks for you tips. Theycan help anyone who is derious about starting and growing a business. Keep those good tips coming.
TPN WEB DESIGN INC. 5:59 PM on July 03, 2007
Thank you so much. Anything for free, Ill take it.
Construction Dispute Services 11:32 PM on July 03, 2007
Many thanks for the tip - will look for the NZ equivalent and post our site http:\\www.constructiondisputeservices.co.nz
shelly 11:13 AM on July 04, 2007
help, im very new at this, i have my buisness listed on google local but desperately want to get in the top 3 listed on the map ( i don't mind paying) i just can't seem to work out how to do it, please could someone cantact me if you have any ideas, many thanks.
Anonymous 1:54 AM on July 18, 2007
Shelly - It is hard to get listed in the top 3, and it depends on the search terms a lot. If you are interested, check out www.hubspot.com , it has a lot of tools for search engine optimization and keyword selection. There is a link to request a demo on the website. Also, you might get some info from the free tool at www.websitegrader.com
Chelsey 11:25 AM on July 25, 2007
Thank you for the great advise. Unfortunately this option is not available to anyone in Asia. I was just wondering if anyone new of a similar option for Asian countries.
Parking Hunter 1:37 PM on November 15, 2007
Great tip! I provide free classified ads space for monthly parking in North America http://www.parkinghunter.com The service is based on google maps. I am curious to see how beneficial this will be.
Eleanor 2:32 PM on November 29, 2007
If a business in only an online store how can it be listed in a local listing on google for free?
Indelible Bonobo 1:26 PM on December 10, 2007
That's an excellent article. It's interesting how although most people used Google local, few thought to list themselves :)
BestWebsite 11:42 PM on January 08, 2008
This is so cool! Thanks for the great tip. We're going to add http://www.BestWebsite.com, be sure to visit for step-by-step instructions to building profitable websites.
Robertta Reck 5:37 PM on January 09, 2008
I have a website and i need to advertise to get traffic to my site please let me know what to do
Maki Mdlalose 8:45 AM on January 11, 2008
i would to say thank you for your advise
schiffsbeteiligungen 11:07 PM on January 12, 2008
Thank you for the great advise. greets from germany!
RD 4:55 PM on January 13, 2008
How do I advertise for free nationwide/worldwide on google???
Alex 3:09 PM on January 18, 2008
Great! Thanks sooo much.
Betterbizbuilders 11:40 PM on January 18, 2008
Great information. Thanks!
daiel 5:52 AM on January 19, 2008
hello does anyone no how i can advertise for free over the net to buy peoples old mobile phones
cheers
Michael J. Fitzgerald, CPA/PFS, CFP, MST 2:41 PM on January 28, 2008
Wow, what a great idea. Everytime that I come to this site, it is full of great ideas. Keep up the great work.
Michael J. Fitzgerald, CPA/PFS, CFP, MST
100% Retirement Income Replacement Strategies
http://www.fitzfp-llc.com will get posted there.
Diseño Web Barcelona 4:09 PM on February 05, 2008
Congratulation!!
Fantastic blog and website, they are really serious and effective. Thank you for this article.
We have just begun to inform our customers to the Google Local Business Center.
Clover's Jewelry 2:38 PM on February 18, 2008
I was wondering if there were some inexpensive or Free ways of advertising my website www.ReplicasRock.com on Google.
hadi 12:38 PM on February 19, 2008
i want to do free advertising in google
Ten 9:18 AM on February 24, 2008
Wow this is cool. Wish I had found your blog earlier, better late than never, thanks for the tip!
Sacramento Wedding DJs 7:06 PM on March 12, 2008
Your article leaves out yet another interesting aspect of Google Maps and their free advertising: REVIEWS from various UGC sites are being crawled by Google and compiled into the Google Maps listing. For an example of this phenomena--- Google the words "Sacramento DJs"
Scrapbook Freek 6:43 PM on March 14, 2008
OMG! this place is the newbie's paradise. I just love all the practical tips. Once implemented I get to see results fast. Woo hoo.
Sanaur 4:27 AM on March 26, 2008
awesome trick...dude i was already in the google's listing on the second...now i will be the topper
Janice Gentles-Jones 8:29 PM on April 17, 2008
Pretty cool! Thanks for sharing this information.
Albert 1:44 AM on April 22, 2008
Great resource for the small businesses out there, thank you for sharing will pass it on to othres
Aldemac 8:46 PM on April 28, 2008
Excellent idea for advertising, this is very good, check out my website and move towards your goals.
Lowline 3:20 AM on May 06, 2008
A+++ Great stuff!! Another good article!!
www.blackwidow.ie 1:20 PM on May 06, 2008
Need tips on how to market new business on the web Gift shop in Waterford, Southern Ireland
Railroad Locks 2:52 AM on May 12, 2008
Some good info. Thanks.
Cara 3:55 PM on May 28, 2008
Thank you so much for this info. It's wonderful that you guys are out there helping so many with their businesses, especially as a newcomer! Any additional help out there would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Travel Directory 5:20 AM on June 20, 2008
thanks for nice tricks! my sister will love it.
salim 12:40 PM on June 21, 2008
does any one can tell me how to put free advertise on google plz
naomi 10:40 AM on June 26, 2008
Im a stay at home mum,and oh my gosh i must have the most boring site..he..he..any advice on how to spark it up...and thanks guys for all your comments,it really shows im not the only one who doesnt know how to use computers...ill give anything a go...what have i got to loose,right.Have a look at my site and if you can...please give me some advice on how to get advertise for free,thanks guys...I hope you do well...bless ya
Leo 12:41 AM on July 23, 2008
thank you a lot, Mike!!
A brilliant idea!! I'll definetly use it!! THANKS!!!!
Sebastian 4:18 PM on August 28, 2008
We are having a hard time getting to the first page of google search. But I hope this helps
Nick 6:47 PM on September 18, 2008
Great find Mike!!... I will be referencing this article in my SEM Guide... Well done!
Andrew 6:00 PM on October 15, 2008
How do you get a picture uploaded? I went to the Google/local link and there isn't anything about uploading an image in the spreadsheet?
Maria 1:33 PM on October 24, 2008
Thanks for the help!!!!!!!!
Unconscious Creations, Inc. 10:07 AM on November 04, 2008
My company has benefit from the tips posted on hubspot. We currently generate double the traffic on our website. We find that more people are searching for Hypnosis services than ever before.
Lisa Gibbs 11:17 PM on November 26, 2008
That's great! I'm listed! thanks for the free advice!!!
Khalil 5:27 PM on December 03, 2008
This is a really innovative post! I'm going to set my program up in a couple of minutes. The only thing I am wondering is will I be able to take advantage of this with an affiliate program related business.
Bariatric Buddy 9:56 PM on December 03, 2008
Thanks so much for the advice!
William Mocniak 3:52 PM on February 26, 2009
Thanks for the tip !
Eric 7:18 AM on March 07, 2009
Great tips!!! thanks
Don 6:51 PM on March 08, 2009
very good ideas. In today's marketplacve, the littletricks and efficient moves seperate the winners from the losers.
Xou 8:26 PM on March 16, 2009
Nice idea, Good way to advertise.
Dave 8:28 PM on March 16, 2009
Never thought of that before. Any other tips?
http://www.freebieforce.com/wealth84
Fischbach Art Gallery New York 12:15 AM on March 23, 2009
I used this for a bunch of sites. It works great. I am trying to get an art gallery in NYC for the search phrase art galleries New York.
yves 6:54 AM on March 24, 2009
very Good idea,
Thanks from Cameroon.
shoe discounts 11:58 PM on March 31, 2009
great advise thank you !!
abdul rauf 12:38 AM on April 05, 2009
i agree with you i am to your free advertising
Sukkim Lama 12:10 PM on April 17, 2009
It is great tool for me, thank you very much.
Jordansfoot.com 1:17 PM on May 09, 2009
I love your tips. I only want to say: thanks, thanks, and thanks.
Hilario Huerta 2:22 PM on May 10, 2009
Thanks awesome tips,hope it helps us out!
http://hnhpainting.com/
Chanthirakumar 5:20 PM on May 11, 2009
Great Tips from you.thanks you for it.
Chanthirakumar 11:16 AM on May 12, 2009
thanks a lot for very usefull writing.
cathy 10:03 PM on May 18, 2009
anyone know how to advertise on google for free if it only have stall online no base address? thanks
http://www.marketsonline.com.au/stalls/home.php?cat=3708
Ajmeet Singh 4:29 AM on May 21, 2009
Good source
Steve Arrigenna 5:34 PM on May 23, 2009
We are a small business in Spain, and are very glad to have found hubspot, as there is very little quality resources in Spanish on this sort of thing. We're going to apply this tip to our Selectividad recursos business right away! Thanks!
Sarah 10:44 AM on May 25, 2009
Google local is very good when setup properly. We have gotten some prospects from it. Especially if you get reviews from clients about work you have done, which gives more weight to your listing.
http://www.server-support-company.com
Chanthirakumar 3:46 AM on May 26, 2009
you gave me more usefull informations through this site.thanks a lot.
JATIN SHARMA 6:59 AM on June 06, 2009
RELLY,
TO GOOD MARKETING
GREAT
BE FASHION 7:59 AM on June 06, 2009
Thanks!!! It really helps.
Melissa Casey 2:03 PM on July 02, 2009
working in River Oaks area of Houston- the inner loop.
So many real estate agents in Houston - trying to find a way to stand out???
Pillowthrowdecor 5:26 PM on July 06, 2009
I know this is an old post but the information is still fantastic. I am an marketing leader for sellers at icraft.ca Seller's and just wanted to let you know I will be directing the students here for your Google map Director instructions. Thanks so much
Christine
Pillowthrowdecor
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I loved this sight it will give people what they need without a gimic being added.
Maryland search engine marketing 10:54 PM on August 10, 2009
Great Detailed Step by Step how to for the do it yourself SEO student.
I'm amazed at how much spam comments hubspot is allowing on this post, it kind of detracts from the pages value.
Getting INTO Googlemaps is one thing (not that it's a small thing) but getting your listing to climb higher than your competitors???
That requires science, skill and knowledge of the game.
Knowledge of the algorithim that decides who gets to be #1 in Googlemaps.
you see you can be #1 in the organic listings, you can even have multiple listings in the top 10, I even fill the entire search results page with my clients listings, but that doesn't get you to rank higher in Googlemaps.
Call me and I can get your Googlemaps listing to rank higher
James Richards 12:34 PM on August 17, 2009
Great stuff. The SEO world is slowly changing and every little bit helps.
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IT
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Wayne Gin 7:34 PM on October 11, 2012
Awesome informative post full of content which can be used right away. :)
Desmond Lim 6:05 AM on October 12, 2012
Thanks for sharing.
Havel always been wondering why sometime when doing a search, a list of company with a link to google map show up.
Alyssa Rimmer 9:20 AM on October 12, 2012
Very informative article. I'm revamping our agency's listing as we speak. One thing I did want to point out that I think is great about Google Places is that it's now integrated with Google+ and they're referring to it as Google+ Local, where you can actually search while logged into the platform. You can review, upload photos, etc. all from your profile. It's great!
Miranda 11:22 AM on October 12, 2012
What if you're business is not tied to a strict geographical location. For example, a company who manufactures a product in Boston, but sales are dispersed among all other states and has a significant dealer base?
Churchill 12:47 PM on October 12, 2012
Excellent information. I will be putting it to good use soon. One of my clients just asked me to create an account for him. Thanks for sharing.
Orlee Berlove 1:54 PM on October 12, 2012
Mike,
Is there a correlation between having the a Google Places listing and your search ranking?
Chris Lang 7:36 PM on October 12, 2012
What am I missing here guys? The title of the post says "Free Advertising on Google" so it makes it sound like I get an AdWords coupon.
I see what it is, it is being listed in Places itself that you are calling "Free Advertising..."
I was thinking this was an AdWords credit. My mistake. Getting to the 7 pack for a competitive term may take more than just signing up though. Good headline by Hubspot.
Darryl Bray 10:52 AM on October 14, 2012
Does anyone know the correct format and size of photographs to submit to Google Places so they display properly? Google doesn't provide this information and I know this has been a problem in the past.
vinod ingle 7:21 AM on October 15, 2012
very good helper to small buiznesers
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Chat
Anders Nielsen 12:44 AM on October 17, 2012
Great article!
Is it possible for a travel agency to use google local if they are for instnce selling trips to a lot of different cities in the states?
So then the consumer ex. search for a trip to New York the company will appear on google local even though they might not have a main office in that city?
Jeff Belonger 4:03 PM on October 17, 2012
I agree, excellent post. One important question. If a business has two locations in one city, how do you work this? Can you add multiple locations? Create a new account? Thanks, Jeff
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Matt Greener 2:07 PM on October 18, 2012
Also the more complete you make your profile the more you will stand out from the others.
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Dan Ramthun 10:26 PM on October 18, 2012
Local search listings such as Google Places are essential for local businesses getting found on local searches. Your post is good in helping businesses claim their Google listing, however simply claiming your listing does little good for most businesses in getting found. The Boston Harbor Hotel did not get the number one spot by simply claiming their listing. A lot of local SEO went into getting that spot.
The top three listings on Google searches are valuable places to hold, but if your business has a fair amount of competition, your chances of getting there without good marketing help are pretty slim.