Google Places is a fantastic and underutilized tool for insuring that your customers can find you. Places is an expanded profile for your small business in the Google Maps search results. Google allows business owners to self-edit information displayed in Places such as:

• Categories that describe your business
• Description of your business
• Your website URL
• Contact information… address, phone, email, etc.
• Hours of operation
• Types of payment accepted (Visa, MasterCard, etc.)

By simply making sure that all of the information in your Google Places webpage is populated and correct you will bring your Google listing ahead of much of your competition.

Look for your Google Place listing by searching Google Maps for your business:

Search the listings to find your business. You may edit the listing by clicking on the “Edit this place” link. You will need a Google Account. The first time you attempt to edit your Google Places information you will be asked to authenticate yourself via either a phone call or through a postcard mailed to the business address.