If you haven't noticed, Google search results are increasingly prioritizing the location of the searcher as well as local results linked to Google Maps. Google search users now see map-based search results (for relevant keyword phrases) positioned below AdWords and above organic results.
This raises the question: have you claimed your business's Google Places listing?
The easiest way to find out is to search on Google for yourself (or your client's business) using location terms combined with the business category or even the name.
As you can see above, we conducted a search for "warren vt property management," and Google displayed an ad as the first result (from Google AdWords), followed by three listings from "Places," and finally the organic results.
The easiest way to find your Google Places listing is to first search for your business name along with some location-specific information, such as "your name your city your state". In this case, we searched for "Clearwater Sports Waitsfield, VT."
Once you find a listing that suits your business, click on the "Place Page" link to view the details. You will quickly notice that the top light blue bar features a link labeled "Edit this place" and another that says "Business owner?" if the Places page is unclaimed. If it has already been claimed by someone (or by you), you will see "owner-verified listing."
If the navigation bar displays "Business owner?", it means that this Google Places listing has not yet been claimed or modified. You may see reviews, images, and maps associated with your business. This data is simply information gathered by Google that they believe is relevant to this map listing.
Select the "Business Owner?" option to begin taking control of your Google Places listing.
Here's where it gets a bit tricky. If you are already logged into Google with an existing Google Account, you will be directed to the "Add, Edit, or Suspend Listing" page, where you can edit the listing.
BUT, if you aren't logged in to Google, you will see a "Claim your business listing on Google!" page.
If you are not logged in and/or don't have a Google Account, login or Create an account now.
Use your business email address or email that you already have for other Google services. This email address will be used by Google to give you future access to Google Places and many other services (Google Analytics, Blogger, Alerts, etc).
Once logged in, you will see the "Add, Edit, or Suspend Listing" page.
If this listing looks like your business (name, address, phone number), then select the "Edit my business information" radio button and press Continue.
Google lets you take the time to edit most of the information pertaining to the listing now. Correct or enter the Country, Company, Address, City, State, Zip, Telephone, email, websites, a short description and choose at least one category.
Note: The categories is a required field to move forward. Google has a preset list of categories – try to find yours.
In this example, we simply started typing 'sports' and the category "Outdoor Sports Store" showed up. It matches, so we are going to select it. We can always add more categories later.
If you want to, feel free to edit the Service areas, Hours or operations, Payment options, Photos, Videos and Additional Details – but you can also complete this over time (after you have 'verified' your listing).
Press the SUBMIT button on the bottom of the Edit page.
Google will take you to a Validation page where they will allow you to prove that this is your listing by either calling the phone number they have on record or sending a postcard to the mailing address they have on record. The simplest way to VERIFY your listing is to select "By phone" and enter your contact name in the field provided.
Notes: If the phone number is incorrect or you cannot answer that phone, you should select the "By postcard (2-3 weeks)" option. If neither of these is accurate, then you should not 'claim' this listing and should instead create a new Google Places listing.
When you press the FINISH button, Google will call (or email you) to provide a PIN code. Wait for the call (it only takes a few seconds) and write down the code the computer reads to you.
Your browser will direct you to the Google Places Dashboard and display the status.
After you receive the PIN code (via phone or US Mail), enter it in the "Enter your PIN:" field and click Go.
You now have control over your Google Places listing and will see that it is "Active," as well as the impressions and actions it is receiving on Google results.
To edit your Places account at any time, simply navigate to www.google.com/places and click the "Places for Business" link. If you are logged into Google, you can enhance your listing and hopefully appear more often when people search for you, your business category, and/or your location!
You can edit your listing at any time, add photos, and modify the description to better explain what you do. You can also embed videos to enhance your listing, as well as add categories and 'additional details'… but that is another story.