Internet: Google Places - The Most Overlooked Social Networking Site

In September of 2009, Google introduced the Place pages for more than
“50 million places around the world to help people make more informed
decisions about where to go…” (googleblog).  On April 20, 2010, this
page officially became known as Google Places.  Even though Google is
the largest search engine, most small business owners still do not
recognize the power of this one little small tool.  In fact, only about
12% of small businesses are even listed on Google Places.

So what is Google Places?  In my humble opinion, it is the most
important social media site for all small businesses. I liken it to a
mini-web page that is automatically connected to the world’s largest
search engine.  With Google Places you can promote your business,
include your website (if you have one), upload pictures and videos, post
your specialties, hours, your special offers and so much more.  Google
Places offers analytics showing who found you, where they were from and
if they took further action as a result of finding you.  I don't know of
a site that offers so much.  It’s so important to small businesses that
it is the first site I teach in my social media marketing seminars and
classes.

Still not quite understanding the importance of this site?  We’ll let’s
imagine that we are searching with our smart phones for a place to eat
in Herkimer.  We use the internet and search Restaurants, Herkimer, NY
or use our Google Places app, to find a listing of all places to eat in
Herkimer.  Up pops the following:

From here we can see that there are 3 listings.  With this information,
it will be easy to check out these businesses simply from this page. 
Read their reviews, find their pictures, their menus and so forth.   But
what about all the other eating establishments in Herkimer and
surrounding areas?  They are not listed simply because they don’t have a
Google Places listing.  See? How many customers are you losing?

A Google Places listing is easy to maintain, low maintenance and very
user friendly.  It really is a MUST for all small business owners, brick
and mortar businesses and internet businesses as well.

source: http://www.uticaod.com/blogs/x609590244/Internet-Google-Places-The-Most-...