Having a your business show up geographically on the small map at the top of a Google search has always seemed like a good thing for businesses to attract audiences, but the old Google review algorithm has, in the past, made this extremely risky. Sourcing the reviews to be listed on your profile, from third parties, Google’s algorithm for it’s places feature doesn’t check reviews, merely places the ones that are chosen, relevant or not. Hotels have had reviews wherein the first sentence (the part of the review that is shown on the search results) has shown something completely contrasting to the rest of what has been written. One particularly unlucky Hotel saw the first sentence “My dad drowned in this hotel last year when snorkelling with my sister” which initially sends consumers running to the hills, but the rest of the review goes on to say the excellent support provided from the staff. Restaurants have seen scathing reviews of the food picked unluckily at random from hundreds of excellent reviews merely through the algorithm randomly selecting reviews from any of their third party sources.

Issues such as these have lead Google to change the way in which it’s reviews are shown, giving users the opportunity to review the business on their google places page, rather than randomly selecting reviews from third parties. The new layout of the Google Places page places emphasis on what Google users have to say about the places rather than Yelp and Trip Advisor whom Google have notoriously had trouble with in the past. Rather than trashing the third party reviews completely, Google places them in a link below reviews written by Google users encouraging it’s users to participate in reviewing places by positioning two “write a review” buttons on each location.

With the risk of unwanted negative reviews under wraps, there is no reason that your business should not be utilising Google Places to it’s full potential for your business. Here are 10 reasons why you should use it!

1. It is free!
2. It is commonly believed that Google Places is becoming the most important outlet to advertise businesses, soon to replace paper directories saving thousands of pounds, and lots of trees every year.
3. On your Google Places listing, your name, number, address and website are all displayed, allowing users to engage with your business quickly and in multiple methods.
4. You can link to discounts and coupons for one day, one week, or one month.
5. When out and about, instead of struggling to find business information, those who own smart-phones can access the details straight away and contact you immediately.
6. If you are worried that there isn’t a physical location for your business, then this is not a problem, you can register your “place” without a location.
7. More outlets gives you the potential to receive more traffic and new customers.
8. There is less risk of numerous scathing reviews picked by chance!
9. As you receive citations and reviews, your Google Places will move you up in ranking on search engines. Free advertising with Google Places could bring you more targeted customers faster than traditional and organic methods.
10. Finally, and the most important to your financial goals, is that because it is so easy for customers to find your business listing, you have the possibility to make more money than you did before your business was listed in Google Places.

Whether you are going to set up and claim your Google Places page on your own, or have someone do this service for you, the sooner you have your Google Places page working for you, the quicker your customers will find you.