Google has recently announced 'Google Places'. This is not a completely new feature as it was formally called the "Local Business Center" but it brings improvements. Among the new features are_ the ability to indicate service areas for traveling services, a new way to advertise using 'tags' in your local listing, a free photo shoot for the interior of your business, and a few other features. This means that if you build a website for your local business and have a local business, you can access all of these new features. Here is a short explanation of each new feature_

The Ability to Indicate Service Areas
If you provide a service that you bring to the customer's area, you can now indicate what areas you will travel. This is very convenient for many small business such as handymen, plumbers, air conditioning services, lawn services, etc. Google places a colored box over the service area on a Google map so that you can quickly see all of the areas that are serviced by your company.

New Way to Advertise Your Local Listing
According to Google, for $25 a month, you can have your local listing stand out using tags. This is a great opportunity for businesses who are willing to pay a little bit more to stand out a lot.

Business Photo Shoots
You can now request for one of Google's photographers to come out and photograph the interior of your business. This is revolutionary and will be a great addition to the already great Google maps. This means that users can find your business, see the outside of it using street view, then get a peak of what is inside before they even leave their house.

Real Time Updates to Places Page
You can now login to your local business account and post real time updates to your places page. This is the page that users see when they click on your local business listing. That means you can post your latest specials, discounts, coupons, and more.

WebStarts offers a free website and a very easy way to get a local listing for your business. There has never been a better time to get your business listed on Google maps and I highly recommend getting a local listing today!