Now that a Google+ business page can be linked to a business listing on Google Maps, it’s important to take advantage of this opportunity.
If your competitors have failed to capitalize on merging these pages together then you will have an even greater competitive edge. The combination of these platforms will help increase visibility of your business location. The following information will help you set up this integration and understand its benefits.
Reason for Merging Pages
Sometimes it appears Google is becoming more complex because the company constantly makes changes that affect users, which can seem uncomfortable at first. When Google Places for Business, for example, was integrated into Google+, it resulted in multiple Google+ pages for owners to manage in some cases. It became confusing for some owners who ended up with different accounts under the same login. It also led to extra work for owners to optimize their pages only to see less business information without an image displayed in search results.
In February 2014 Google sent notices to local businesses announcing two major changes. The first change was a warning that business owners had three weeks to update and verify their Google Places listings. Some owners reacted with confusion or assumed the email was spam, but it was actually a simple process involving logging in, reviewing business information and submitting the update.
The second major change was a simplified Google+ local page setup, which also required owner verification. One of the key reasons for these changes was to clean up duplicate listings and spam from the search giant’s database.
By connecting your Google Maps listing to your Google+ page, it’s now easier to manage your presence on Google platforms without the redundancy of managing multiple pages. After merging the pages, you can then delete your local page and your Google+ page that displays Maps will be all you need to manage. You can still keep your local page but it will no longer be connected to Maps.
Steps for Linking
First make sure that your business meets the conditions of Google’s quality guidelines. If not, you will not be able to connect your Google+ page with a local map listing. Keep in mind that your Google+ page is only allowed to link to one business location. You will need at least one non-local Google+ page to achieve this integration.
Be sure to review your business information and make sure it is up to date then follow these steps below.
1. Once you login to your Google+ account, click “Home” on the upper left corner then “Pages.”
2. Click “Manage this page” for the page that you want to link to Google Maps.
3. Make sure “Verified local business” is checked, then go to the upper right gear icon and click “Settings.”
4. Scroll to the bottom where it says “Profile” and click the box that either says “Change” or “Connect a different page.”
5. Select the page that you want to link to Maps where it says “Link a different page to this location.” Then click “Next.”
6. After viewing the list of updates to the new page, click “Confirm.”
Local Page Features
When you connect a new local page to Maps the former local page, its information, reviews and AdWords campaigns will no longer be seen on Google Maps, but it will still display on Google+. While the former local page will be renamed to “Backup of (your page name),” it will not affect followers, posts, managers and the custom URL. Make sure that you are certain you want these changes since they will be permanent.
Google+ pages can only be deleted by their respective owners at the bottom of the settings page. An alternative option to deleting a page is transferring ownership to someone else. Google, however, may still display your local page information in search results with indications that the business has closed or moved depending on the available information it has about the business.
You can alert Google that your business has closed through the “Report a Problem” link. If the business has moved to a new location, simply update your address on the dashboard, which preserves reviews and responses.
427 total views, 1 views today
Clik here to view.
About Ajay Prasad
Ajay Prasad is the President and Founder of Global Marketing Resources, LLC, which runs a number of Internet strategy and e-commerce companies under its umbrella. Ajay's functional expertise includes website strategy, marketing management, business development, consumer research, market analysis and strategic planning. GMR Website Maintenance focuses on all aspects of Website Maintenance and ensures high quality and efficient website maintenance services, tailored to fit each of our client's needs. Google+
The post Are You Taking the Advantages of Google+ Business Page and Google Maps Listing Together? appeared first on Website Design and Maintenance Service.