Google Local & Google+

[littlesthobo]

Hi All

I'm looking for a bit of a steer on which direction to go in here.

I have a new client and the client has a 'branch' in London.  The brand is about to be franchised across the UK.  They currently have a google places page in London (old style Google places, not a plus page) and nothing else on Google +.

I don't really want to touch the Google place (local page) because it ranks well for their business and far higher than their organic search result.

In terms of adding to their social presence, I think a Google Plus 'Brand' page would work as a generic brand, with several additional local pages being created as franchisees come on board.  They have a safe and strong brand and have plans to reinforce through social.

I'm about to set up the brand page and wondered if anyone has any thoughts, words of warning or points to consider?

I don't know why but I feel somewhat tetchy and fearful of Google places that have yet to be merged.

Thanks

[Francisco_Meza]

Yes. Here's an example.

El Pollo Loco (a fast food restaurant in California) - 1 BRAND Page

5,000 locations - Each location gets a postcard from Google verifying the location. Each post card has a PIN#. Since every Local G+ Page has it's own respective location, people can leave reviews for that particular location, not the company itself.

[littlesthobo]

Thanks Guys, I think I just wanted validation that I'm doing the right thing.

This is my biggest client yet and my paranoia about damaging their London Google Place page has gone through the roof :D.  Ho Hum.

[G2W]

Hi Jo,

Sounds like you are on the right track. I'd agree with Francisco in creating one umbrella page for the main brand, and then a separate +Local page for each individual location.

You can request that the Places page be merged with it's +Local version over the phone as long as all the information matches.

My firm recently authored a blog post about doing just this in fact. Perhaps you'll find it useful: http://www.got2web.com/google-plus-seo-local-plus-claiming.html

As an added interesting fact, you can also request that a brand page be combined with a +Local page. This gives the +Local page priority, but moves all of your images, posts, etc. to it.

[littlesthobo]

Thanks, I think you are agreeing with my course of action of having one brand page and a verified page for each location?

It is 1 company - it is a nationally recognised brand - but each city/town will have it's own page.  Is that what you recommend Francisco?

(just double double checking)

[Francisco_Meza]

1 company = 1 Brand page

5 locations = 1 page for each location. Each location gets it's own reviews.