Google My Business/+/Maps etc etc etc..... Arghhhhh!!!!!!!!

[Geek007]

I came across this thread from last year:

https://www.technibble.com/forums/threads/google-plus-rant.59134/

Which was interesting, so I guess I'm not necessarily on my own with this one. I've had a 'business page', I think for some time, but just not really looked at it much. However I've just gone back to it to see what I could do with it, but just find myself getting extremely frustrated with trying to understand exactly how the whole thing works, and more importantly how it all relates to being found on Google, which is what it's ALL ABOUT. (I'm seriously feeling like just throwing my laptop out the window lol)
The only thing I've got so far is that 'My Business' is supposed to be some sort of 'dashboard' where I can access everything else. I've got a 'business page' (I think), but I've been doing some research on line, and came across a page about getting customers to leave a review. So I went through the motions and discovered that it appears that Google won't let customers leave a review unless the business has a 'personal page' associated with it? Is this true? And when I clicked to go and create a google+ profile, it just seemed to direct me to my existing business page.
Now, don't get me wrong, I know the age old 'people buy from people' thing, but it's my business that I want to promote, not myself. What about business who employee multiple people with multiple offices etc?

If anyone knows of any excellent tutorials, and I really mean EXCELLENT, feel free to include links please, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks.

 

[wickedmojoit]

Google, such a blessing and a curse. Its easy to get lost in it all. I'm not an expert just muddling through like most of us BUT I do know, on the reviews, have clients use their Gmail accounts to post a review. They don't need a page, just an established Gmail. Once you get 5 reviews, you will get the star rating and it will help with placement. Google offers help if you call them, they have walked me through a few things. Other option if you are in way over your head is hire a SEO person to help you clean it up and get found. If you get a good one its worth the money (IMO) but do your research, you have to weed through a lot of bad to find one that actually knows what they are doing.
A few other things I remembered that are important,if you have a physical address make sure you list that you are a service business and your service radius. Make sure your business has been verified by Google, make sure your business information is accurate. Also your Google plus profile is not the same as your Google local business page, so make sure you have your business in Google local business not Google plus . Hope this helps. Here is the Google business help page - https://support.google.com/business#topic=4539639

 

[Geek007]

Hi, thanks for the response.

"have clients use their Gmail accounts to post a review"

Sorry, don't know if I've misunderstood you here, but you're not saying that clients have to have a gmail email address in order to leave a review are you? Surely that can't be the case?

Everything else you've mentioned, I think I'm all sorted with. I had considered calling google, however the last time I spoke to them, it kinda put me off a bit. Don't know if they keep track of the number of times you contact them or not (I think I've spoken to someone maybe 3 times say?), but last person I spoke to about something else, the chap was very pushy, short, abrupt, sounded like they just wanted me off the phone asap.

I understand that the My Places/My Business thing is to do with the section of results page on the left, that when you move your mouse over the different businesses, it 'pops up' a 'page' on the RHS, which looks like the local business page?

I believe I have a 'local business' page, but when I try to find google local business from the search engine itself, I seem to be being directed to 'My Business' instead, which just shows my verified business details. Interestingly, the URL at the top says 'plus.google.com'. But your saying that's the wrong place? Now you see why I'm getting annoyed. Think I'll just have to ring them.

 

[wickedmojoit]

Yes, it is the case. Have them use their gmail to review you.

 

[tf76]

I came across this thread from last year:

https://www.technibble.com/forums/threads/google-plus-rant.59134/

Which was interesting, so I guess I'm not necessarily on my own with this one. I've had a 'business page', I think for some time, but just not really looked at it much. However I've just gone back to it to see what I could do with it, but just find myself getting extremely frustrated with trying to understand exactly how the whole thing works, and more importantly how it all relates to being found on Google, which is what it's ALL ABOUT. (I'm seriously feeling like just throwing my laptop out the window lol)
The only thing I've got so far is that 'My Business' is supposed to be some sort of 'dashboard' where I can access everything else. I've got a 'business page' (I think), but I've been doing some research on line, and came across a page about getting customers to leave a review. So I went through the motions and discovered that it appears that Google won't let customers leave a review unless the business has a 'personal page' associated with it? Is this true? And when I clicked to go and create a google+ profile, it just seemed to direct me to my existing business page.
Now, don't get me wrong, I know the age old 'people buy from people' thing, but it's my business that I want to promote, not myself. What about business who employee multiple people with multiple offices etc?

If anyone knows of any excellent tutorials, and I really mean EXCELLENT, feel free to include links please, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks.

Right. With google you first need to create a personal account with google plus. Then you can create a local business page and get verified. After this then you can be reviewed by anyone with a google account.
You can create more local businesses under your local account afterwards as well.

When you create your local business google plus account, it also creates a my business account.

Hope that makes sense

 

[Geek007]

Hi, thanks for the replies, appreciate it. I've actually got a 'local business' page, which is actually 'visible' on google.
At the moment though, due to what appears to be a well known issue with ZIP/Post codes on their mapping system, instead of their map showing my business being in the UK, it is showing it as being in Canada. But, like I said, there are many people both sides of the pond, who seem to be having issues. The big boys have done a temp fix, so unfortunately, I've just got to wait and see what happens. Failing that, it will go to their tech support.
What's strange is that on my side of the listing my address is shown on the map properly, but on the customer side, guess what, it ain't. Frustrating, as obviously that could be part of the explanation as to why I don't rank properly in the local listings, and I could be missing business. Anyway, we'll just have to see what happens.

@TheVillagePC - will defo bear your offer in mind.

 

[gadgetfixup]

contact my rep at Google and see what we can't get done.

You might want to check that phrase, nobody is interested in what you "can't" get done.

Sounds like you're seeking out SEO clients, promoting some sort of SEO service and this really isn't the place for that. I'd suggest just giving guys tips of how they can better their rankings rather than solicit them for your services.

 

[Geek007]

Appreciate the offer VillagePC, however chap at google been talking to said it can take 24/48 hours to go through, but has sent me a link so it can be escalated if it doesn't. I think what could of caused the initial problem (bearing mind that this is just guesswork), is that I haven't had a space between the two parts of my postcode. However, this was never flagged up as a problem. There is a little box that pops up beside the postcode box as a guide, but there isn't any red flag to point that out. Having said that though, why would my side show the map no problem, but the customer side show it completely wrong????? Anyway.....

 

[Geek007]

@VillagePC - I know you said "could" but:

Space between postal code very well could be the issue.

Why would that cause a problem with one side and not the other though? It's almost as if The Big Boys are using two separate mapping systems. Doesn't make any sense.

 

[TheVillagePC]

@VillagePC - I know you said "could" but:

Space between postal code very well could be the issue.

Why would that cause a problem with one side and not the other though? It's almost as if The Big Boys are using two separate mapping systems. Doesn't make any sense.

I wish I had an explanation for their mapping systems and issues. A Local Search analysis on your business is the only way I can answer that question. There are reasons even I can't explain but it is easy to fix when I can see the whole picture. I do not go by hunches or opinions or my own ideas. I only go by facts and analysis which is never wrong. Tools provide the info I use and detail exactly what needs to be fixed and how. If that fails then my Sr Account Executive at Google can help figure the rest out.

 

[fixitplanet]

I came across this thread from last year:

https://www.technibble.com/forums/threads/google-plus-rant.59134/

Which was interesting, so I guess I'm not necessarily on my own with this one. I've had a 'business page', I think for some time, but just not really looked at it much. However I've just gone back to it to see what I could do with it, but just find myself getting extremely frustrated with trying to understand exactly how the whole thing works, and more importantly how it all relates to being found on Google, which is what it's ALL ABOUT. (I'm seriously feeling like just throwing my laptop out the window lol)
The only thing I've got so far is that 'My Business' is supposed to be some sort of 'dashboard' where I can access everything else. I've got a 'business page' (I think), but I've been doing some research on line, and came across a page about getting customers to leave a review. So I went through the motions and discovered that it appears that Google won't let customers leave a review unless the business has a 'personal page' associated with it? Is this true? And when I clicked to go and create a google+ profile, it just seemed to direct me to my existing business page.
Now, don't get me wrong, I know the age old 'people buy from people' thing, but it's my business that I want to promote, not myself. What about business who employee multiple people with multiple offices etc?

If anyone knows of any excellent tutorials, and I really mean EXCELLENT, feel free to include links please, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks.

I feel your pain...continuing the rant.... What ever happens you can expect it to take a while. None of my experience with "Google My Business" has happened quickly. It took them a about six weeks to send me my postcard. (It was supposed to be two weeks but four weeks later, still no postcard so I had to request it a second time). I also had to call and speak to someone at Google just to make sure I was setting up my page correctly because it is confusing to say the least (not very obvious anyway). Eventually I started getting the hang of it, and I finally (after about two and a half months and four reviews later) qualified for my short URL and I felt like I had won an award! After claiming my short URL though, things got confusing again, I.E. the four reviews disappeared along with the review tab and the new short URL directed to my posts instead of the about page. To make things worse I also dropped off the "Google Maps App.".. I was deflated again feeling hopeless but after about three days the reviews came back and my business reappeared on the "Google Maps App." Feeling relieved again and looking forward to getting my 5th review so my stars will show up on searches. I am pretty sure the one posting a review has to have a Google account and be logged in though but don't even get me started on the review process! Hope you get all your issues sorted out and just read and follow the rules. I know this reply is not much help but just sharing. Good luck!

 

[Geek007]

doesn't matter about it being "not much help" fixit, I share your views. I've done a fair bit of research and this ZIP/postcode problem I'll call it for now, appears to be affecting a lot of people, both sides of the pond. What gets me is, everyone uses google, biggest search engine etc etc (no I'm not advertising them). This could be affecting people's businesses. And don't get me started with the reviews side of things. I have also read opinions that some people won't want to go to the hassle of creating an account, just to write a review. Anyway, just my thoughts at the moment.

 

[gadgetfixup]

We had something similar last year that removed us from several large citations (Yahoo Local, Google+, etc). Google for some strange reason changed the addresses for everyone on our road about 4 miles in each direction. This removed our business from the road we're on entirely as we had the correct address everywhere but Google couldn't find where to put us. As luck would have it, I had just edited several citations like Yahoo Local and when you edit the citations they go back into audit. Well Yahoo removed us as well as they couldn't verify our existence as a business and told me flat out, they use Google maps street view for verification. They check your address and if Google street view doesn't show a real business, they yank you.

I tried resetting our marker to the correct spot and it would stick for a day and Google would remove it. Finally what I did was signed up on Google map maker and submitted corrections for every business up and down our street. Slowly, one by one, Google started correcting everyone up and down our street. Google still argued with our listing so I did a resubmit for address verification and once we got the postcard and verified again, it finally stuck. It took me about 3 months to get it all sorted but since I learned the TOS for map maker and Google business pages, I helped them clean up the fake businesses in our area as well that were advertising as real stores open to the public, so all the learning and Google volunteer work wasn't for naught.

 

[Geek007]

Mmmmmm.... beginning to feel like a bit of a dilemma on my hands.
Service Area Business or SABs on the Big G, don't seem to appear very well at all (if at all).
For those not in the know (which won't be many), these are for people who service customers at their locations, in other words for business who don't want to show their address, because they don't want to risk having customers turning up basically. However, I get the distinct feeling that SABs are FAR LESS visible (if at all) on G Maps etc, than 'normal' business are. But, if I change it to say that I do accept customers at my location (which would be incorrect), then technically I'm lying. Wonder how many businesses out there have noticed this (if I'm right), and decided to change their settings? Anyone any experience of this? Or, am I missing something?
Oh, and (not meaning to be rude), but I don't want comments along the lines of 'well, they can always find your details elsewhere'. I am fully aware of that, and it's hardly the point. Thankyou.

 

[gadgetfixup]

Mmmmmm.... beginning to feel like a bit of a dilemma on my hands.
Service Area Business or SABs on the Big G, don't seem to appear very well at all (if at all).
For those not in the know (which won't be many), these are for people who service customers at their locations, in other words for business who don't want to show their address, because they don't want to risk having customers turning up basically. However, I get the distinct feeling that SABs are FAR LESS visible (if at all) on G Maps etc, than 'normal' business are. But, if I change it to say that I do accept customers at my location (which would be incorrect), then technically I'm lying. Wonder how many businesses out there have noticed this (if I'm right), and decided to change their settings? Anyone any experience of this? Or, am I missing something?
Oh, and (not meaning to be rude), but I don't want comments along the lines of 'well, they can always find your details elsewhere'. I am fully aware of that, and it's hardly the point. Thankyou.

You are correct and Google wants it that way. They don't want people searching local computer stores, finding results, traveling to the location only to find a house or trailer in a trailer park. Yahoo local is also cracking down on this. If you have a listing as a business on Yahoo Local and in a private home do not edit your listing. If it comes under manual review they will use Google maps street view and if they don't find what looks like a real business they'll remove you.

Google also had a rule you couldn't set business hours you're open to the public if you worked from home and serviced an area but they might have let up on that rule.

You can lie about this stuff obviously but don't think a competitor won't notice and report you to eventually get you off those result boxes.