Take Advantage of Google Places

Today, Google announced that their Local Business Center is becoming Google Places. One of the main reasons why Google is rebranding their local business offering is because it wants to be the largest directory of local businesses so it can take advantage of the increase in location-based advertising, which new technologies like Twitter, Yelp, and Foursquare have helped spur. One of the most unique things Google is doing with its pitch to local businesses is with its QR Codes, which are bar codes unique to every businesses. The code allows customers to scan them with most camera-enabled smartphones, which will then take them to the mobile version of the business' Google Place page. Business owners can put the codes on business cards, marketing materials and even their storefront with a window decal provided free from Google. If you have business locations that you want your audience to know about, work with your search engine marketing team to help get your local search strategy into motion.