Google Places Tip www.GooglePlacesHelp.blogspot.com More Helpful Than Google's Places Official Sites

May 24, 2010 - PRLog -- Google introduced their own version of a local search engine or business directory over two years ago in an attempt to compete with YellowPages.com, Yelp, City Search and others.  Since that time, the field of such offerings has increased, and at least 60 national directories exist, plus many micro local sites developed by local entrepreneurs, newspapers, radio stations, chambers of commerce and others.  Reigning supreme now and for the foreseeable future is GooglePlaces.  With around 80% of search and the ability to locate their product at the top of the page for local businesses, the rest of the competition is scrambling for position.  

On the other hand, the free service only give a maximum of seven businesses under any keyword outside MAP status.  All others are relegated to the more results category.  The difference is dramatic in terms of how frequently the business is found and/or accessed.

Figuring out how to get on that outside map isn't too hard if you are only concerned about your own zip code, or if you are in a small city, or if you are the last shoe repair shop in town.  But if you are in a competitive category or a major city, the task becomes one suited for those who have uniquely prepared themselves to the task.  One such specialist is Randy Kirk of Page1Listings.com.  Kirk decided to give away what he knows on a blog exclusively  about Google Places.  With over 40 pages of content and multiple Video tutorials, the site has far more information than the combination of all Google efforts on its own behalf.  

Google has a a blog, a help center, a forum, and tutorial videos of their own, but you will only learn the basics here. "In order to find out the nuances and the up-to-date results of those who are constantly testing the system, you need to be on the forums and reading the pundits every day," says Kirk.  "As soon as I see new info, I write a post about it.  Those who are following this blog need look no further to get the current strategies."

We wondered why Page1Listings would give away the store.  Kirk replied:  Some folks will take our info, do it themselves and have great success.  More power to them.  Others will find that they don't have the time or the desire or the skill to do it right.  They will hopefully hire the company that gave them a start and could be trusted to provide a massive amount of free data."

# # #

The New Yellow Pages for Local Business is optimizing website visibility through Google Maps, websites, YouTube, LSE's, Forums, and other methods. Traditional marketing, too. We invented the box; Still thinking outside of it. www.SearchPage1.com

For more about Randy Kirk, Google his name or check out books written by him on Amazon.