Sure, you know about Google Maps and Google Places. Google Maps is a free service from search engine giant, Google. It provides map views, driving directions, and contact information about businesses and points of interest. In search results, businesses show up beside a Google map first in the list, for searches including location-related terms (like city, street, or zip code).
Google Places is the service that you can use to put your business on Google Maps, with more content. You can add photos, video, your web address, hours, categories, and more, to help local customers find you.
Google frequently fine-tunes and adjusts these services. Google Places itself is recently re-named, formerly known as Google Local Business Center.
If you're wondering how it all works, you're not alone. Let's jump in and clear up some issues now:
Myth #1: Google Places and Google Maps is just the same information shown 2 ways.
Fact #1: Google Places helps people find business when searching a specific location. Maps helps people explore a geographic area many ways, including street views, business listings, and more.
Of Google Maps, Google says "Each business listing on Google is in fact a giant 'cluster' of information that we get from a few different places: Yellow Pages, for example, as well as other third-party providers. However, the basic information that you submit through Google Places is the information that we trust the most." So Maps and Places are not exactly the same thing. Your Google Places is a listing that allows you to create, verify, and control the content describing your business. But your business may be listed on Google Maps due to input from others. The standard Maps link: "Put your business on Google Maps" leads you to the Google Places service, where you can find, claim and edit an existing listing for your business.
Myth #2: You have to have a physical store to put your business on Google Maps
Fact #2: New in 2010, you don't have to show your mailing address publicly in your Google Places Listing.
You can opt to show your service area instead. The map pin looks like a dot instead of a pointed pin-type shape. While Google requires a mailing address to create your listing, you have the option to keep that address private and show your service area instead. This suits home-based businesses and those with no office address who want to get found in the local area. If you don't want a personal address broadcast to the world, you can keep that off line.
Myth #3: Unless I put my self in Google Maps, I won't get a marker and my business won't be listed there.
Fact #3: Google Maps pulls information from the community and other business directories, and aggregates it.
Some businesses find they are already have a marker and listing on Google maps. Active Google Maps listings come in 2 types: verified and unverified. In a verified listing, Google and the business owner have completed a process that enables the business to claim and control much of the content of the listing. Unverified listings are made from community data and aggregate data, and are not claimed or controlled by any one business owner.
Myth #4: The 7 pack, or the group of 7 listings beside a map at the top of the search results list in Google, is the way Google returns the best matches relevant to a local area.
Fact #4: Google also returns a 1 box, 2 pack or 3 pack listing.
While the 7 pack may be more familiar, Google does return listings in other groupings. What kind of pack you get is not completely under your control. Groupings depend on words people use to search: Google matches location related words, like a zip code, city or place name in the query, and general terms, like "pizza" You will see 1, 2, 3 or 7 items next to a map at the top of the search results, depending on the number of place listings found to match in that area
Myth #5: You have to have a website to put your business on Google Maps
Fact #5: No website required.
Google requires a business name, mailing address and phone number. Start with these, and you can make your business visible on Google Maps and Google Places.
Myth #6: There are many bigger businesses in my area doing the same thing -- it's too hard to get my business to show up near the top of the search results in the 7 pack.
Fact #6: There is a lot you can do to improve your ranking in Google Places.
For starters, make sure your business name includes a primary word for the type of work you do. "Pop's Market" might be too general. But by putting specific key words in your business listing, " Pop's Market: Organic produce and free range poultry." You have 60 characters. Use them wisely. (Optimizing your Google Places listing is a worthy subject unto itself.)
Myth #7: If I create my own listing in Google Places, I have complete control over the content.
Fact #7: You control some of the content, but not all of it.
Anyone can post a review of your products or services, on your listing. Remember that Google Maps and Google Places listings are for the benefit of the community, not your business alone. Reviewers can say good and bad things about your company. Reviews on the whole benefit your listing, because listings with review comments tend to rank better than listings without comments.
If you complete the process to verify your listing, you have the most control. You can post a description, hours, and assign categories, to help your site rank well in search results. If a comment from the community violates Google's guidelines for posting, you can ask to have it removed.
In Conclusion:
One of the best things you can do for your business is post a Google Places lsting. You'll learn a lot from the weekly report of any clicks or impressions (appearances in search results) your listing gets as a result. It's not a substitute for your website, but gives areal boost to your visibility online, whether you have a website or not.

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