If your business consists of physical stores or multiple locations, optimising Google Places is probably a key ingredient in your daily work. But do you know the difference between the different Location-based Google page types?
The differences between Google Places, Google+ Local and Google Business Pages
Google+ Business Page
A Google+ Business Page is much like a Facebook Fan page, equipped with multiple interactive features. Here’s an example of a typical Business Page belonging to a large brand: https://plus.google.com/+nespresso
Google+ Local page
A company with multiple physical stores (for example hotels) are typically not run as individual Business Pages but as Google+ Local pages. As such, they belong to a Page and are managed through that parent company’s Business account. These local page types do not have wall posts or video tabs. I should mention that ‘Google Places’ was the official name until 2012 when it changed name to ‘Google Local’.
A location or store can convert from being a Local Page into a Business Page but only if it is removed from the parent account umbrella, verified with Google (via postcard) and then connected to a new Google Business Page (unique Google account).
6 requirements for Google+ Business Pages
- Each store needs to create and login with a unique Google+ Business account.
- Each store will have to verify their place by requesting a verification postcard.
- Each store will have to be responsible for updating their data, coordinates, address and information on Google.
- Each store will need to maintain any social interactions on the page.
- You won’t be able to use the bulk upload feature (useful when a brand consists of >100 physical stores)
Hope this was useful! I’m looking forward to hearing more about your experince and best practices in the comments.
