Google Local Business Centre + Place Pages = Google Places

Google are trying to get more local and as a result of this desire they have rebranded Google Local Business Centre and brought it in line with their Place Pages. The result is the rather hip sounding – Google Places.

The hope is that this change in name will bring the old Local Business Centre up to speed with the popular Place Pages. It is important to stress that most of these changes will only affect the US initially.

The Place Pages, which are found in the Google local searches, offer images, reviews and contact information for businesses and have proved to be very popular in allowing people to better decide what business to use or where to go.

More Features Available with Google Places

Many of these features will be available in Google Places but some of the other key new features are:

1. Service areas. Perfect for businesses that travel to see customers as they will now be able to show the geographic area they cover. You can also make your address private.
2. Advertise with Tags. Businesses in selected cities can now advertise their listings on Google.com and Google Maps with Tags. Initially these tags will be available in selected US cities — Austin, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. — in addition to ongoing availability in Houston and San Jose, CA. The tags will allow businesses to advertise promotions like vouchers and discounts.
3. Business photo shoots. Businesses can now request an interior photo shoot from Google. This is in addition to uploading photos.
4. Customized QR codes. From the dashboard page of Google Places, businesses in the U.S. can download a QR code that’s unique to their business, directly from their dashboard page. QR codes can be placed on business cards or other marketing materials, and customers can scan them with certain smartphones to be taken directly to the mobile version of the Place Page for that business.
5. Favorite Places. This application returns for a second round.

A Google press release said: “One out of five searches on Google are related to location, and we want to make sure that businesses are able to be found and put their best foot forward. We’re excited to announce Google Places today, as it’s just the beginning of what’s to come from our efforts to make Google more local.”

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