Google Local Gets A New Name And More!

There have been some recent changes made to Google Local that you need to know about. 

The Google Local Business Center now has a new name, Google Places.  This re-branding has brought some new features to Google’s listing service, which include the following:

• For $25 a month, you can make either the directions to your law firm or your website address stand out by “tagging” it.  Google will place a small yellow tag next to whatever item you choose in your listing.  Your $25 monthly fee also gives you the ability to use the Google Places dashboard to track the number of clicks/actions you are getting.
• If you don’t have a photograph of your business in your Google Places listing, Google Maps will post one for you at no charge.  It appears that Google may have been offering this service before, but it has just been officially announced.
• Google is also offering unique bar codes through Google Places, also known as QR codes, which can be downloaded and placed on your ads and business cards.  Potential clients with certain types of smartphones can scan the QR codes and learn more about your firm instantly.  They will be able to use the codes to get directions to your office, your contact information and additional details about your Google Places profile.

For more information about Google Places, download our free report, Google Local: What Every Lawyer Needs to Know to Dominate.  While this report will be updated with these new Google changes, there is some great information about how to optimize your Google Places profile and how to boost your Google Places rankings.