How Google can take your retail business "Places"

The silly pun in the headline notwithstanding, Google Places has become a serious business opportunity for retailers, especially since Google has tweaked the way listings show up on search results. Aimed primarily at boosting the relevance of local searches, think Just Dial and yellow pages, Google places is a fantastic opportunity for retailers to drive in more business.

Google Places also includes user reviews and ratings and unlike the local listings models of yellow pages or a just dial you can customize your search to get the best rated retail establishment. For example a search "chinese restaurants, mumbai" yielded this page:

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By changing the search parameter to "best chinese restaurants, mumbai", the results change to:

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The ratings seem to involve a combination of website reviews as well as user generated ratings from within the Google system. Google, of course, has made it easy for users to review/rate retail establishments. With the addition of hotpot (google.com/hotpot), the rating facility now becomes available on all Android smart phones, thereby enabling users to rate on the go.

What does this mean?
Retailers need to get listed on Google places. Google already has over 50 million business listings worldwide so chances are you are already there. However, you can simply check and if your business is not listed, then do so immediately. Listing on Google places is easy enough. Simply go to: www.google.com/places and list your business. The site allows for a fair amount of detail, including photos to be added to your listing--this is free by the way.

You can also choose to promote your business. The ads will appear on the right nav bar, where google ads traditionally appear.

Who should do this?
All retailers should get on this immediately. From shops, restaurants to professionals like lawyers, doctors, Chartered accounts, malls, cinemas get yourself or your firms listed.

Why should I list?
Local search is the most powerful way for customers to find you. The fact that Google has integrated its local search on the mobile platform means it is now more convenient for users to find the right establishment quickly. The overwhelming growth of android-based phones is only going to drive local search faster and finally Google is the big daddy of search...so if you want the business you need to be listed.

How to improve your rating?
You can get your customers to provide you a rating via the google.com/places website. A higher rating will help in your establishment figuring more prominently in search results.