Juice Marketing LLC

"Squeezing the Most Out Of Your Marketing Dollar"

  • Home
  • Marketing Programs
    • ERP Newsletters
    • Content Vault
    • Press Release
    • Customer Success Stories
      • Full Length Case Study
      • Short “Customer Buzz”
    • Web Design
    • SEO
    • Show Me EVERYTHING!
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Blog
  • CONTACT US

How ERP VARs Can Improve SEO with a Google+ Local Listing

June 10, 2013 By Mark Badran 5 Comments

You’re Already Halfway There!

As Google+ gains more traction every day, small businesses are starting to realize the importance of the search-dominant juggernaut’s new-ish social network. There is no doubt that Google is increasingly blending social activity and posts directly into “regular” Google Search Results  – which bolsters the case for making sure your business has a presence on Google+ (that is, if search and SEO are important to you).

At Juice Marketing, we’ve noticed a trend among ERP VARs that had an old Google Places listing but have yet to claim their free Google+ Local Page.

In some cases, data and information from your old Google Places listing was automatically migrated to Google+. But until you claim and verify the new Google+ Local Page, you’re missing out on extra SEO juice.

Here’s how to convert your old Google Places listing and start taking advantage of the significantly-improved local search results that a Google+ Local Listing can offer.

But First, Some History

A while back, Google overhauled Google Places and replaced it with Google+ Local. But the change has left many small businesses confused about what’s what.

In many case, the data from your old Google Places listing was automatically migrated into a shiny new Google+ Local Page.

While Google Places were static listings, Google+ Local listings are dynamic and social.

But the challenge is that many businesses were left with an unverified Google+ Local Page, which means they are missing out on improved search results, expanded listing functionality, and better customer engagement.

To put it simply: You have to verify your migrated Google+ Local Page to unlock the benefits.

Here’s how to verify your Google+ Local Page and start taking advantage of Google+ social features such as: posts, photos, videos, reviews … and of course, improved local search visibility.

How to Verify Your Listing on Google+

Create a Personal Google+ Account

In order to claim, verify, and manage your new Google+ Local Page, you’ll need to set up a personal Google+ profile first (if you don’t already have one).

You’ll want to use your real name and personal Gmail address when setting up your Google+ personal profile. Don’t worry about setting up a new Gmail account for your business, you can always transfer ownership and assign multiple managers later.

Create a NEW Business Page

Once your personal Google+ profile is set up, you can create a new Google+ Local Page for your business. Upon verification, Google will merge your old Google Places listing with this new page.

  1. Once in your Google+ Dashboard, navigate to Pages located under the Home tab.
    Google+ Pages
  2. Click Create a New Page.
  3. When asked to choose a category, it’s very important to chose Local Business or Place. This is how Google will know to look for your old Google Places listing.
  4. Enter your business telephone number (use the same number that is on your old Google Places listing) and click Locate.Google+ New Page
  5. Select your business.
  6. Confirm the Map Marker location, and select OK.
  7. Enter your business name and add a link to your website, select Continue.

You’ll now have an empty Google+ Page. All you have to do now is verify your business to merge your old Google Places listing with your new Google+ Local Page.

Verify Your New Page

At the top of your new page, you’ll notice that it says Unverified, click Verify Now.

You’ll see an option to have your verification PIN number sent to your business in the mail via postcard or you can verify over the phone.

Once you have your PIN number, log into your Google+ Account, enter the PIN, and wait a few days for Google to merge your old Google Places listing with your Google+ Local Page.

And that’s it – you now have a verified Google+ Local Listing and are well on your way to better local search results.

Google+ Verified Business Icon

Better Local Listings and Search Display

With a verified Google+ Local Listing, you significantly improve your ability to rank well for local search.

If set up and verified properly, here is what your listing might look like in the “regular” Google search results for  your company name and keyword searches relevant to your business:

Expanded Juice Marketing Search Display for "Sage VAR Marketing" on Google

Expanded Juice Marketing Search Display on Google

 


P.S. While You’re Here, Be Sure to Connect With Juice Marketing on Google+

Filed Under: Sage Partner Marketing, SEO Tips, Social Media Marketing Tagged With: Local SEO, Sage Partner Marketing, SEO Tips

Comments

  1. Lisa Juley says

    December 30, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    Hi Mark,
    Is the screen shot of the dropdown menu current? I do not see a Pages option on my account.

    Reply
    • Mark Badran says

      January 2, 2014 at 1:07 pm

      Hi Lisa – yes, the screenshot should still be current. I just checked my own personal Google+ account and the workflow doesn’t seem to have changed. I still see a “Pages” option with the ability to “Create a Page” on the next screen.

      Reply
  2. Bill Treloar says

    July 6, 2013 at 11:24 am

    Is there any way around Google’s prohibition of having a local page if you don’t predominantly interact with customers/clients at your physical address? Many of us deal with clients nationally via phone and Internet. We were denied a Google + Local listing for that reason.

    Reply
    • Mark Badran says

      July 9, 2013 at 11:02 am

      Bill – to my knowledge, you just need a physical address/location. We serve clients nationally but also have a Google+ Local listing.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free Marketing Tips

Join over 2,000 other small businesses that improve their marketing through our free monthly newsletter.

Popular Articles

Free Images for Your Blog or WebsiteHow to Feature Your ERP Projects on LinkedInWhy Do I Get So Much Spam on My Blog?5 Reasons You Need Content to Attract LeadsIs Direct Mail Making a Comeback?6 Simple Ways to Improve Local SEO

Search This Site …

What Our Customers Say

“Juice Marketing has been instrumental in helping us market our services and our team. They've become an extension of RKL eSolutions and the amount of exposure and activity this has generated has been incredible."

- Joe Noll | RKL eSolutions

Contact Us

120 Vantis, Suite 300
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Phone: (949) 340-3374

Connect Online

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Popular Links

Sage Newsletter ProgramWebsite DesignPress Release WritingOur PortfolioAbout Juice Marketing

About Juice Marketing

We provide cost-effective marketing programs and consulting to Sage and Microsoft partners. We specialize in helping ERP providers keep in touch with prospects during a long sales cycle.

Learn how we help you "Squeeze the Most Out of Your Marketing Dollar"

More On Juice Marketing

Copyright © 2023 Juice Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved. Content on this site may not be copied or reproducedd without consent.