Do you remember a time when you only had to put your ad in the Yellow Pages and the local newspaper?  Now the Yellow Pages face extinction and 9.7 million fewer people read the newspaper than a year ago.  What is causing this giant shift?  The internet, one of the biggest changes to ever sweep across the world.  In fact every minute 29 million searches take place, some of them for products and services you provide.

Did you know that between 70 - 85% of people search the internet prior to visiting a local business?  That is 1.3 billion searches every month.  What happens if your business is not listed but your competitor is?  We can help you make sure that does not happen.

Google, Yahoo, Bing and the other search engines all recognize that the majority of searches are local.  This is great news for you.  What it means is that you are no longer competing with national chains that have big bucks.  Because location-based marketing is now a reality, you can reach local customers who are using the web to find local business.

It is advertising that shows up only in certain areas that you specify.  The search engines are now smart enough that they know where you are 90% of the time and if you have a phone with GPS they know exactly where you are.  So if you are looking for a new restaurant to try out you'll see suggestions that are close to where you live.

Below is a listing for restaurants in Greensboro NC

Google and the other search engines have created mini-websites for local businesses.  They want you to use this site to help promote your business.  The best part is it is free.

Google displays the local search results in a prominent position which gives you a huge opportunity to be seen by thousands of customers who are actively searching for you.

Here a few results from searches in Greensboro NC

• Plumbers - 6,395 searches
• Restaurants - 42,900 searches
• Dry Cleaning - 1,180 searches
• Lawyers - 17,500 searches

These are active buyers searching for services that you provide.  If you are not showing up then your opportunity to reach them is lost to your competition.  If 85% of your potential customers are searching online can you really afford not to be there?

We can help you show up in the local search results.

Let us set up Google Places for you.

If you are busy running your business we can assist by setting up your Google Places for you.  For more information simply fill out the form below.  The cost varies from a one time fee of $395 to $695.  There is an optional monthly fee of $100 per month.

Services we provide:

• Set up your Google Places account.  Update all information on the website.
• Perform keyword research to determine the best words so your site shows up.
• Optimize your site for keywords selected
• List your business on other sites such as Bing, Yahoo, Best of Web and Yelp
• List your business on local directories.  We do this so that your site will be seen as more relevant to Google and therefore return a higher ranking.
• Upload and optimize photos. 
  
• Create videos that visitors can watch on your Places page.
• Create or help you create coupons and other special offers.

After completing the work above your site will show up for the chosen search terms.  The exact placement will vary depending on competition and distance from from the person searching.  We sign each client up under their own Google Places account so you will be able to see the traffic and activity that Google is sending you. 

Businesses that we have already researched cost $395.  New categories cost $495.  We create up to two videos for $150.  If you are local this price includes shooting the images.  If you are outside of the Triad of NC we will create the videos but will need the pictures and raw video.  Click here to see samples of videos we have created.

If you would like us to work with you on your Google Places account complete the form below.

Sign up for Google Places
First Name *
Last Name *
Email *
Phone *
Interested in Google Places

Example of  how Google Places helped S.T.A.R.S. grow and succeed.


Two years ago, I finally realized my dream and opened Specialized Training and Riding School — S.T.A.R.S. of Horsemanship. At S.T.A.R.S., we offer lessons to riders of all ages and skill levels, provide therapeutic horse training services for those with disabilities, and train Special Olympics riders. Our property is a 10-acre scenic environment for our students and horses.
   
With Google Places I was able to add key details about my business, like exact location and contact information. And I could mention the special services we offer like group classes, private lessons, birthday parties, Scouting events, parent-child sessions and so on. Now when a company’s looking specifically for a team-building venue, they can find my business easily.

When you search on Google, you can be taken to our Place Page to see photos that offer preview of our stables and even meet Salty, one of the horses. You can also find a coupon to help provide a little extra incentive to come try out our lessons if you’re new to horseback riding.

Since I started using Google Places six months ago, my business has grown tenfold from what it was before — I’ve gone from averaging around 10 to 15 students to now serving more than 100.


To be honest, I had just figured that new customers would trickle in over time, but it’s boomed far beyond my expectations.

Watch the case study below how 853 7th Avenue Rehearsal Studio uses Google Places to increase their business.  If you would like to set up your Google Places account give us a call at 336-861-9255.  We can help you develop a plan to reach your local market.