Comments on: Local SMB Survey: 68% Have Facebook Pages, 28% Have Claimed Google Places Listing

By: The Disconnect Between What SMBs Use Facebook For and What Consumers Use it For | Understanding Google Places & Local Search

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:00:39 +0000

[...] My recent survey of how consumers find lawyers tallied that 2.1% of the US adult internet users would start their search at their favorite social network. 32.7% indicated that they would start their search at a search engine or elsewhere on the internet. In other words a consumer looking for a lawyer is almost 16 times as likely to start their internet search for a specialty lawyer anyplace BUT Facebook. They indicated that they were 5 times as likely to start their search in the printed Yellow Pages than on their favorite social network. Granted this is lawyers but it is likely that these percentages hold roughly true for other industry segments as well. We have seen a similar disconnect at our Local University presentations where SMB attendees have reported that 68% Have Facebook Pages but only 28% have claimed their Google Places Listing. [...]

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 18:27:50 +0000

Mike…That does not surprise me. With the way the economy is many business owners are too busy working in their business they hve no time for working on their business. Because of this, the majority of business owners have no idea at all what Google has to offer SMB’s or even heard of Places, Google +,AdWords, etc. But that means more business for people such as yourself who are in the business of educating and helping SMB’s get to page one of Google.
It’s also no surprise that more than twice as many businesses have a Facebook page. Let’s face it, everyone has heard of Facebook. Even my nine year old niece and my aunt in her seventy’s are on Facebook. But the sad part is if you would of asked of the 66.7% who have a Facebook page; are you still active on Facebook six months after you created your page? I would not be surprised if you well under half are.
BTW..You,David,Mary and the others involved where awesome in October at SMX in New York! Keep me up-to-date for the next time you have that again in the New York area.

THANKS!

By: Akash Kumar

Akash Kumar — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:57:24 +0000

Agree to you Mike, people are not much aware or educated about how useful Google Places can be for their business.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:55:06 +0000

I claimed my Places Page, but also have an active listing in Google Local that has several reviews and more citations. How can I make my listing into my place page.
My lisitng is owner verified, but it had my OLD address on it. I moved, so I updated my address on my listing, and resubmited it.

By: Matthew Hunt

Matthew Hunt — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:35:53 +0000

This does not surprise me. Facebook is buzzed way more in the media then Google Places. Thank-goodness for us local SEO’ers to help. Crazy stats!

By: Alex Mason

Alex Mason — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:00:05 +0000

Think Linda says it well.

Most business owners have not got a clue that google places exits but because so Facebook is so very popular, (and is always reported as a “game changer, whether accurate or not) it’s natural that the uptake ratio is so different.

Interesting survey.

By: Chad

Chad — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:14:39 +0000

I’ve worked with many small business owner’s that have tried to get their Places pages claimed and updated but give up because of the lag that Google has before implementing any changes to Places descriptions. Google really needs to address this if they want to attract more businesses.

By: Susan Walsh

Susan Walsh — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:53:59 +0000

Interesting survey. Thanks. I wonder how many interact daily or even weekly on their Facebook page. I’ve seen many businesses that set it up and that’s it, no interaction.

As far a Google Places goes, I find the toughest part is getting the small business owner’s attention. They are so busy. Some still don’t have a website. Once I gain their attention and explain what Google Places is, they say “oh yes” and then become extremely interested in how it can help them.

There’s a lot of opportunity for those of us who claim and optimize Places for local business if only 28% have claimed their listing. How do you grab their attention?

By: Jeanne Kardell

Jeanne Kardell — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:47:47 +0000

I am always astonished that so many clients have no clue as to what Google Places even is! So many of these clients are purportedly “checking” their rankings. Don’t they even wonder exactly what the Places listing even is?

By: Linda Buquet

Linda Buquet — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:14:58 +0000

Since I live in GooglePlacesLand and not FacebookLand, this just seems backasswards to me. I mean I believe the data is right and get it, but still just can’t understand how many businesses are clueless about Places.

What kills me is when a Dentist fills out my contact form requesting a Google Places Optimization consultation and they EVEN SAY in the email they want to rank higher in Google Places!

We talk for 1/2 hour I explain everything, checking along the way to be sure they understand. Then ask them a specific question about a problem I find on their claimed Place page. And they say “What’s a Place page?” Just floors me! Not only do they not know what one is, they’ve never seen one and they didn’t even know they already had one and they def are not the one that claimed it. It’s been just sitting out there in space, usually filled with violations and they had no clue.