Google Maps Archives -

B2B vs B2C – Location Sites

As we near the end of this series of articles, our topic of this post is B2B vs B2C – Location Sites. This area of social marketing may not be 100% social media, but it is something that can play an important role in how our business is viewed and found!

The platforms that I consider is this category include Yelp, Foursquare, Google Places (now Google+ with a Local business designation), directory listings, and all of the map sites – Bing, Google, Yahoo, and Mapquest (yes it is still in existence).

Another consideration that may be included in this category is local or industry related sites. In construction for example, sites like Angie’s List, Houzz and Hometalk may be great sites for you. Do they have mini-web pages or business listings that could drive people through your door or to your website? One good example is my page on the Elgin Area Chamber website.

B2B

While you may not have a storefront location that is open to the public, you still want to put your location on the maps. Grab your real estate! Add any links that go back to your website or social media. If you offer promotions, add them to your profile. If images are included in the platform, upload your limit. Make sure that all sections of a profile are complete using as many keywords as you can. You may not want to pay for an upgraded listing in the directories like Yellow pages or Dex, but at least make sure that your listing is correct. AND check frequently in case someone has written a review on your business. Since you don’t deal directly with consumers, this will be unlikely, but an unanswered review can be bad for business.

B2C

Location sites are great for consumer based businesses. Reward people who “check-in” to your business. Use a contest format for people who write a review. Offer coupons and post images. Google Maps now offers an option of a 360 view of your establishment. Here is a link done by my friend and Google Certified photographer – Keith French. If you need one of these done for your Google Maps listing, tell Keith I sent you!!

The advantage in this situation goes to the B2C business. That does not mean you should not take advantage of the listings even if you don’t entertain customers at your offices.

Almost everyone I know uses the phrase “Google it” when referencing an internet search. But other than searching for something are you making the most out of a Google account for your business? Let’s review a few of my most favorite tools.

Google Maps – if you haven’t optimized your Maps presence, jump on board. There is a new interface that Google announced that is going to help your business look even better. Notice the pictures of the selected location. You can even hire Google Certified photographers to record a 360 degree view of the inside of your establishment.

Google Place Pages – are merging with your Google+ business page. So make sure that your information, categories, contact info and links are all up to date. If you have a page out there, claim it so that you don’t have reviews that are going unnoticed. Link here to see my page.

G+ posts and images – are now being indexed in search results. If you aren’t using your G+ profile at least occasionally, your likelyhood of ranking very high in search results diminishes. Also, if you have a blog, add a Google Authorship plug-in that will provide a headshot and minimal information about you in the search results.

Google Hangouts – jump on before they raise the price! Right now you can have a video conference with up to 10 people, screen share, chat and do silly things with your screen image. This is a great way to have a face-to-face meeting without having to leave your desk.

Google Drive – share documents that are editable with other users. Have a spreadsheet that needs to be filled in and you are tired of having to make corrections? Share it on Drive and let the other people take responsibility for filling in their own information.

YouTube – is the 2nd largest search platform and it isn’t even a search engine. It is a Google property as well. You can link to it from within Google Chrome. Talk about search engine results – put a video on YouTube and Google loves it. Check out my channel with how-to videos here.

Google Chrome – for all of you IE users out there, jump on board. There are so many plug-in tools available for Google Chrome that I would run out of space and my fingers would grow tired from typing. Need I say more?

What other Google tools have you found?

What our Customers Say!

Dee Reinhardt is a high energy professional with many tools to help move your business forward.

- James Harvey, Photographer

Dee and I have worked together successfully since I have been in the Elgin area, and she has been a phenomenal resource. By assisting me in learning to better utilize social media, especially Linked In, I have been able to establish new business contacts, and reconnect with former associates. She is an excellent teacher, and trusted colleague.

- Bill Kousoulas, Account Executive at Gordon Flesch Company

Tag: Google Maps

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