Initials and & - current best practices?

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Everybody!

I haven't had a client with a business name like this one in more than a year and need to brush up on my current best practices for the listing of a name like this on the Google+ Local page.

Let's say it's a legal firm named Jones & Jones, P.C.

Is Google currently okay with the use of ampersands?

And, how about those capital letters? I recall when too many caps could squish your listing. How about these days?

If you've recently dealt with a similar business name or have general knowledge to share, I'd really love to receive your reply.

 

[MiriamEllis]

Did anybody have any thoughts on this? Just bumping in case it got buried in light of all the way more exciting things going on with Google right now.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Hi Miriam, yes, got buried. Thanks for bumping. I tried to reply at the time but something came up.

"&" not sure but assume if it's consistently used in the name it should be OK.

Caps - 3 is fine. She's OK with INC or DDS or PC or DC or MD and other professional or corp designations/abbreviations.

She's just not OK with: LOOKY HERE Plumbing or TARGET Marketing.

You didn't ask, but I typically don't use periods either. Not saying I know explicitly you should either use OR avoid. I just personally don't add them to DDS or DC or most other professional designations.

 

[MiriamEllis]

LOOKY HERE Plumbing

Haha! Love it, Linda! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, and I appreciate your additional notes on using periods. I feel brought up to speed on my questions. It's funny how that can happen with client work. You can go for months or even years without running into a client with some little factor that then pops up. In that time, so much can have changed. I really appreciate your response! Hope you had fun playing with the grandkids.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Thanks Miriam, yes had fun with all 5 Grandkids in town. We did the County Fair and had lots of play time. Just what Grandma needed - play time!

 

[jerry]

I've came across many legal firms Google Places listing using "ampersands as well as capital letters" and ranking without any issues like "Name & Name CPA PLLC" "Company Name CPA PC"

As Linda said, i also assume

if it's consistently used in the name it should be OK

 

[Kristen]

Thanks for the period tip Linda. I've got a new client in the exact same situation as Miriam, and now I know!

 

[Linda Buquet]

Kristen, just a tip, not saying it's right or the only way. Just my way.

 

[Kristen]

Your way has worked well for me in the past, I always appreciate your input on all things local.