Google Places & Google My Business

[SSFCU]

Hoping a local biz expert can help ...

So all these Google business listing solutions are confusing me. I have Google Places and had been told for several months I would have a new dashboard. I assume I have it now because the interface is different now when I log in. I've noticed missing pictures, descriptions from some of our 70 locations, but so far that's it.

But I also see a recommendation for Google My Business. Am I supposed to migrate over there or am I fine where I am. I just want a place to manage my G+ business pages.

Thanks!
Sarah

[BruceA]

Hi Sarah

You will end up with two Google + pages, One Google Business Page and also a Google+ Page.

The Google Business page is very important as this is the one that will be verifyed to your website and old Google Places pages.  It is very very confusing.  All our posts on Google Plus go to our page and not to our Business and there is no way to join the too

Google have just launched a new update which starts to map locally to Business pages via local search, for example Timberyard London.  This then also brings in all your Google+ Business info, maps etc. Join a few of the groups and recommended is "Google+ Resource", you have to request to join and they are really helpful.  Create circles and share content from your sites via G+ on your site. Google Plus is very much part of Google search too, so if members of your circles are logged into Google plus too, then when you post, you posts up in any related search results, normally quite high on page 1.

Worth researching and learning more to get the most out of G+, as it looks like it is going to be very important in Googles effort to keep content fresh, new and unique.

[SSFCU]

That really was helpful actually. In the business section, Miriam distinctly says don't try to merge at this time since the new shiny thing is buggy. So it would follow, from my understanding, that it would be too buggy to migrate it.

Your last sentence sounds right on-point, and it makes no sense why they have to keep reinventing the wheel. I don't even know what this new wheel is. Thanks for that link, and I really like your page by the way.

Here's hoping ...

[donford]

Hi Sarah,

It is a bloody mess. Here is a link to my issue with G+ here on moz.com: http://moz.com/community/q/google-what-is-up-with-results

I know this doesn't directly answer your question, but hopefully the information will help you sort through your issues. I really get the feeling Google is trying so much they haven't quite nailed down exactly how users / business should control their local / G+ pages and results.

My best,

Don