Google+ for service business

[Blake Farris]

I operate a service business from home.

I have a google places page verified. However, when I went to upgrade to a google+ local page -> I entered my PIN and google+ listing and it was pending for weeks.

I contacted google and they said because I am a service company with no physical storefront I needed to get google places page and hide address (as most of you already know about this change).

My Question is can a google places page rank ie: show up on google maps. I read Phils great post Can You Rank Well in Local Google without Revealing Your Street Address Anywhere? | LocalVisibilitySystem.com ,

BUT this seems like it is in relation to google+. I have seen some google+ pages rank in the "7 pack" google local maps. However, I have never seen a google places page rank.

Can a google places page rank or do you need a google+ page?

Seeing as a google+ page is likely much stronger. Any advice on how to get a google+ page for a business that operates out of its home and services areas around it..??

I am ok with posting my address. However, will google still require me to use places instead of +local and hide my address. OR is using my home address vs UPS Po box enough to grant me/get pass google and get me a google + page?

Any options for a home business to get a google+ page?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Colan Nielsen]

Hi Blake,

I only have time for a quick response. Google has come right out and said that hiding your address in your Google Places account has no impact on ranking.

I see G+ Local pages with hidden addresses ranking in the 7-pack all the time.

 

[Linda Buquet]

BUT this seems like it is in relation to google+. I have seen some google+ pages rank in the "7 pack" google local maps. However, I have never seen a google places page rank.

Can a google places page rank or do you need a google+ page?

Seeing as a google+ page is likely much stronger. Any advice on how to get a google+ page for a business that operates out of its home and services areas around it..?

Hi Blake Colan is totally correct.

Plus I think there may be some confusion with your comments above or names of pages.

Place pages (now also called Google+ Local pages) are the ONLY ones that rank in search. Google+ page do not even show up in search at all unless they are verified and merged with Place pages. And Google recommends no one nerge that right now, not even store fronts.

I'm consulting for a Dentist who's unclaimed bare Place page outranks his verified G+ business page right now. So it's not that G+ merged page always rank higher.

Set your location to San Marcos Ca and Google plumber san marcos ca. You'll see that #1, #3 and #4 all have Place pages with address hidden.

The biggest thing about ranking high with the current local algo does not even have to do with the Place page (although it needs to optimized well and no violations). The algo is much more about on-site SEO factors these days, so if you are not ranking high I'd focus there as well.

 

[Blake Farris]

Colan and Linda. Thank you very much for your responses. I look forward to being part of this community and adding as much as I can espcially as I learn more.

Place pages (now also called Google+ Local pages) are the ONLY ones that rank in search.

Sorry, think I meant to say Google+ Local vs just Google+ above.

I am still a little confused about what a Google Places page is and what a Google+ Local page is.

Is a Google Places page different than a Google+ Local page?

Can you tell me what my page is: http://www.google.com/local/add/analytics?storeid=4278491115970503385&hl=en-US&gl=US

Sorry for the amateur questions. Thanks again!

 

[Linda Buquet]

Blake, not an amateur question at all. Google confused everyone, even some pros.

"I am still a little confused about what a Google Places page is and what a Google+ Local page is.

Is a Google Places page different than a Google+ Local page?"

Same thing - different names. The dashboard or business owner entrance is still called Places. They just renamed the public facing page consumers see and it's now called Google+ Local.

This post with images will help you understand the different types of pages:
http://localsearchforum.catalystema...oogle-local-page-name-conundrum-clearing.html

The link you provided does not work for us. Only for you when logged into your account. You need to find your live page and give us link to that, not to the dashboard. Or just give us your phone # or web site and we can find it and double check it.

 

[Blake Farris]

Linda,

That post is very helpful - nice work. I believe I have a verified google+ local page.

However, when I click view page or "see your listing on Google" from locations it tells me "we currently do not support this location."

How can I view my page as someone else would? How can I get the proper address so that I may post it here?

As I do citations and spend a lot of time trying to optimize my local page I just want to make sure I have the right page and am not wasting my all my time!

Thanks!

 

[Linda Buquet]

Just give us your phone #, business name and city or web site and we can find it and double check it.

However sometimes if you get the do not support location message it's because Google deleted the page. Hopefully that's not the case. Provide info above and we'll check for you.

 

[Blake Farris]

(949) 233-7029
Sunbrite Pools
Newport Beach, CA

Pool Cleaner Service Orange County - Newport Beach to Irvine to Long Beach to San Clemente

Thanks! Yeah, hopefully not cause its deleted.....!

 

[Linda Buquet]

Blake I'm sorry but I'm not finding a listing for you at all. Looks like it was removed.

You need to hide address in the dashboard like they told you to. Then request reconsideration as explained here. https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/business/SffU131-xg0

 

[Blake Farris]

That is not good. It says my listing is "active" under my Dashboard.

If you'd be willing you can even log in to my account to check it out. I have put a temporary password for next day or so.

(Deleted email address and password. Very unsafe to put that info on the web anywhere! Linda)

I have hid my address, do not have a city or anything in my name. Legit description, no keyword stuffing or anything. Says I am active? hmmm.

Only thing I noticed was I had location listed and nothing listed. I have changed that to a radius from my zip code.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Sorry Blake had to delete your email and password. Not safe to list it on the web anywhere.

I don't log into accounts here and can't go that deep. But can tell you after dealing with thousands of deleted listings - it will show as active in your account. If you click the link you will get the do not support location message. If you search for it on maps by phone and by name + citiy and it's not there - then it's been deleted.
I'm sorry.

 

[Blake Farris]

Ok, thanks for your help. Best thing to do is cancel and start a new listing?

www.google.com/local/add ??


Thanks again.

 

[Linda Buquet]

No that will not work. Tons have tried it and once they delete your listing they won't let a new listing go live.

You need to follow the instructions at the link I gave you in post #9. It's the only option.