Late in 2010 Google rolled out a change to the way it displays its Google Places listings with its search results. The change in display means that:

• The map has moved from an anchored image at the very top centre of the first search results page to a floating image on the right hand panel where we commonly see Google Adwords ads appear.
  
  
• Google Places listings are often now integrated within the search results themselves, also showing an image along with information such as how many reviews the listing has, as well as the phone number and address.

This change enables a searcher to click through to either your website or your place page or directly contact you via phone call or mail.

If a searcher chooses to click through to your place page they can then view and read reviews which Google Account users have provided you, see further images within your listing and other information that you have included in your claimed listing.

If you have a New Zealand business with an unclaimed listing, it is possible that there is a Google Places listing for your business which uses information from the Finda business directory, in which case it is important that you claim your listing to ensure that it is displaying the correct information to your potential clientele.

So what does all this mean for your online presence? Basically, it means that more of your information is provided at an earlier stage in the search process.

With the reviews being more prominent to searchers it is also important that you ask your customers/clients to review your business and remember to reply professionally to any reviews which you deem to be negative. People like to know that they can trust that the company that they are going to work with has their best interests at heart; the more credible reviews that your listing has the more they have to help them decide if your business is one they wish to work with.

Provided that you keep your listing up to date and ensure that you gain reviews, you can rest easy knowing that you are giving your potential clientele the information that they require to make informed decisions.