Most marketing agencies write case studies about their biggest clients. We decided to write one about one of our smallest. The idea is, that with a little know how and with the right partner by your side, just about anyone can their grow their search presence and get real sales results, even when their market is local and their budget is tight. We recently set up a Google + Local (formerly called Google Maps) listing for a local Richmond Hill business. See the listing.
Client: Ace Cleaners and Upholstery
Challenge: This family-owned drycleaner store, whose owner was a skilled upholsterer, wanted to grow the upholstery and furniture repair side of their business. With a small budget and no website, they previously relied on word-of-mouth or local signage in their plaza to promote their upholstery service.
Solution: napkin marketing Google + Local Set up service.
Results: We got Ace Cleaners and Upholstery onto Google Maps by creating an optimized Google + Local listing for them. They now get phone calls regularly from new prospects who search online for “upholstery” and “dry cleaners”. The Ace Cleaners and Upholstery company info now shows up on Google Search Results Page 1 (in the #4 position) for the search term “upholstery” in local searches.
It’s important to note that to achieve this, they did not spend any additional money on Google Ads, which many agencies will tell you is a must. In fact, Ace Cleaners and Upholstery does not even have a website yet. But they are still benefiting from Google local search! This simple, optimized Google + Local listing helped increase their online visibility from zero to number #4 on Google local search in about 90 days, and increased calls and leads to their business. They also use a shortlink to their Google + page as an interim website, until a formal one is created.
Project Cost: $300
What we did: Our Google + Local set up service included managing all the details involved in developing a Google + listing that will get response. This includes:
- listing verification
- adding photos
- writing a search optimized business description and identifying top categories to list the business under
- helping get testimonials
- adding business listings on citation sites to improve the client’s ranking on Google
Pssst. For the eagle eyed among you, yep, I did give them an online testimonial…Hey, they did an excellent job on an armchair I wanted to recover! Good as new! If you need a great upholsterer…;)
Below, you will find info and screenshots showing how this business now shows up on Google Search and Maps pages.
Google search results page – when searching for “upholstery”
Here’s how our upholstery client’s Google Places for Business listing shows up when you search for “upholstery” or “upholstery Richmond Hill” on Google’s home page. This Google Places listing we set up for a local York Region upholstery business put them on the first page of Google’s local search for the term “upholstery”.
Google Maps page – when searching for “upholstery, Richmond Hill”
Here’s how our upholstery client’s Google + listing shows up when you search for “upholstery” on Google Maps.
Google search result page – when searching for “Ace Upholstery”
Another nice feature of Google + Local: Once you have an optimized listing, a preview pane shows up when people search for your business name on Google.
The preview pane displays any photos in your profile, and a small window with your company profile information.
Anatomy of a Google Places for Business Page
Google also creates a nice looking Google + page for your business, which shows when anyone clicks on your listing.
You can include information such as a description of services, the brands you carry, hours of operation, as well as photos and videos related to your business. You can also use a link shortener like bit.ly to give clients a link to your Google + page, and use it as a website if you don’t have one. (A Google + page is a great resource if you are not yet ready to launch a website for your business!) Clients can also leave reviews on the Google + page, which helps improve your visibility on Google +, Google’s social network, which is increasing in popularity, as well as all Google mobile search
Here is an in-depth walk through of what’s should be included in an optimized Google + page. Hover over each number to see detailed info.
Need a Google + Local Page?
Interested in a Google + or Google Places for Business page for your York Region or Toronto business? napkin marketing can help! Our Google + Setup service starts at only $300 and includes setting up a fully functioning Google + page with all the features above. Plus, you get links to 10 Citation Websites to build your backlinks and SEO. Contact us to learn more.
Online and in-person, marketer Adina Zaiontz helps her clients tell their story, communicate their value, get in front of their target markets and grow their sales. Before starting napkin marketing, Adina gained 14 years experience in corporate marketing and web design, managing B2B and B2C marketing for companies like Yahoo!, Rogers Media, HP Canada and CIBC. Adina helps her clients create online marketing programs that get results.
Her philosophy: Smart marketing should be accessible and affordable to every business, not just those with big budgets.
napkin marketing is a Richmond Hill-based online advertising and web design company. Our services include social media management, email marketing, search engine marketing, PPC, print design, web design, copywriting, PR and much more. Need marketing solutions to grow your business? Contact us today.
