Google Local Search – Google Places

Google Local SearchWhen Google detects a search based on a location, it will return a set of location based results.

This may be in the form of a small map of the area, with local businesses highlighted.

These are often above the other organic search results, so it is a pretty desirable position.

If your business is location specific, you want your business listing to appear in those results.

You have to register your business and verify with Google Places. This does 2 things:

  • lets you be included in local searches
  • lets you be found via Google Maps searches

It takes only a few minutes, and you can do the verification over the phone (a Googlebot calls you, and you enter a code).

Tip: When you first register, use just a mobile phone number and SMS for verification. Once you’ve verified, you can go back and add all your phone numbers in.

Registration links:

Already registered and want to find out how to improve your rankings in the Google One Box? Read Improving Your Rankings in Google Local Search.

Once your business is registered with the search engines, you should also register with relevant directories that record a local address for your business. There are many, many options to choose from, the list below may get you started for listing an Australian business.