Change is on its way to Google’s local search space. If you are a local business that has taken your Google Business Page for granted over the years, then these changes may impact your local traffic.
There have been two announcements from Google recently regarding business pages, separately these announcements are not immediately striking, however, put the two together and we have a major change to the local landscape.
Business Page Changes |
The first announcement, 4th June by Jade Wang, Google My Business community manager.
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This was by no means an earth shattering announcement, because unverified pages still appear in local packs, the Google+ page links are still live, and to any user that has searched for any local business, there are thousands of these that appear in maps and local packs …. so no big deal really!
The second announcement, well actually an email that was sent to Google local photographers, that has local business page implications.
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What does this all mean? |
If you have not logged into your account for an extended period then it stands a good chance of becoming unverified.
Once the account has become unverified, it stands to loose the Google+ page link to the Google Business Page. So how will a potential customer view the pages?, they wont be able to.
Users will still be able to get the basic business information such as address, hours etc, so not all doom and gloom, but unbranded, unverified pages wont be performing very well for that business as it once did.
For any business, online branding is central not only to the success of the business, but to its continuity and relevance in today’s business world. Benefits of online branding: Recognition, preference, brand loyalty, differentiation and recommendation.
Recommendations:
Log into your account at least once a month and keep it upto date, it is that simple !
The process you need to take.Go to >> http://www.google.com/business/
The click >> Get onto Google ( Big Blue Top Right ) Enter the business name.>> Your Business Name Select the Business It will then say : Someone else has already verified this listing This listing has already been verified by another user. If you want to add this listing to your account, you can make a request that will be sent to the current verified user. Request admin rights Request the admin right >> you will need to write a message to the current “owner” of the local page 1) The actual person might get the email and get in touch, transfer ownership You need to go through this process. ( wait 7 days ) Now you can contact Google Support to re gain access https://support.google.com/business/?hl=en-GB#topic=4539639&contact=1 |
Will this Provide an Opportunity? |
You may be thinking, well it still appears, so what’s the big deal? A page that cant be accessed loses credibility to a user. I also personally believe that these will not maintain their local pack positions in the long term and will be easier for an engaged business to overtake.
Estate Agents Kettering
Majority of these local estate agents have left themselves vulnerable to competitors:
Simpson & Partners
William H Brown Estate Agents
Pattison Lane Estate Agents
Your Move Hobin Roberts
Connells Estate Agents
Estate Agents Northampton
All of these estate agents in Northampton have left themselves open to the upcoming changes and the perfect opportunity for competitors.
Jackson Grundy
Oriordan Bond Estate Agents Ltd
William H Brown Estate Agents
Merrys Estate Agents
Richard Greener Estate Agents
HORTS
Your Move Hobin Roberts
These changes will present opportunities to business in the local search space.
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