Google Places – Are You on THE Map?

Have you searched for yourself lately on Google Maps? If you own a business and you haven’t, you should.

Google Places is an area where Google aggregates what it can find about any given business into a single location: physical address, website, contact information, reviews, etc.

Consider it a separate area for searching. If you’re searching for a business type, Google will give results from the Places database first. For example, if you’re on your mobile device and search for the nearest restaurant, it’s going to find restaurants out of its Places database, rather than from the database of all websites. This way the user gets faster and more accurate results.

For the business owner, there’s an opportunity here. If your business appears on the map, you can claim that listing and then add data to it yourself. (If you’re not, you can create a new listing.) This information you add supersedes the information that the Google spider is picking up off the web.

So even if you don’t have a website, or only have something out of date, you can tell Google (and therefore everyone else) what type of business you are and what you offer. The Google Page Rank system still plays a part in where your business will appear in a search, but the information in Places will ensure that you show up in the right spots.

And if you’re a new business, you’ve got the opportunity to leap ahead and get all your information into Google Places, so that you’re showing up almost immediately, rather than waiting for Google to spider your website.

Take a moment to search for your business name on Google Maps. If your business is in Google Places, you’re going to show up.

You can see a lot of basic information: address, website, phone, etc. You can get even get directions. Here’s how we appear on the map.

If you click through the “more info” button, you get a lot more detail. 

You get a lot more information—down to business types and service area. Note that it’ll show your location on the map, as well as on the street view.

In the middle (right above our logo), you can see that it’s an owner-verified listing. That means we’ve reviewed, made changes, and approved the page. This gives the information on the page more ‘weight’ in the Google ranking system. So when people are searching for us (or someone who does our sort of work), we will appear sooner.

Farther down the page, you get a lot of other information about the business – reviews (if they exist), company photos, similar businesses, and then a list of websites related to the business.

Google knows a lot about you. You should find out what they know, and what they’re telling people. And then, sign up (if you haven’t already) and get a little more control over what Google has to say. The payoff is more people coming in your front door to do business.

The Emerging Times defines the 2011 State of Advertising and Digital

The Emerging Times recently released a list of 20 intriguing bullets points that defines the current and emerging state of advertising and technology in 2011.

Read through some of the more inspiring, creative, and noteworthy aspects of the 2011 digital age below:

http://www.theemergingtimes.com/2011/01/thestateofadvertising2011.html

Keep Your Phone # and move to Google Voice… Maybe

Google finally formally announced phone number portability for Google Voice today.

Why is this important? Well, prior to this announcement usage of Google Voice required a user to get a new phone number‒something Google tried to have a bit of fun with by attempting to match up the phone number to your name (example: 207 222 PIER).

Google Voice as a real option for Small Businesses or Stand Alone Consultant types takes a big step forward with the announcement of their number portability feature.  Integration with GMail, Google Apps, easy online management of your account, and finally the ability to use your own number makes Google Voice a legitimate option for the modern business phone in today’s market.  Skype, Google Voice’s biggest competitor in the online computer calling arena, still does not have this functionality.  Something that is inherent with this feature is that you will cancel any existing wireless plan - and likely incur a termination fee from your wireless carrier for this change, so move with caution and your wallet out.  Google themselves will also charge you 20 bucks for the change.

Our favorite aspect of Google Voice is getting our voice mails translated to text and sent to us via email and text.  Really, who has that whole 30 seconds to check their messages nowadays?

Beware, some of the errors in the transcribed voice mails will induce laughter.  You have been warned.

First Pier is Growing, Smartypants People Need Apply

As we approach two years of being in business here in Portland, Maine, two things are extremely evident to us: there is a high demand for the premium quality of work and client care that First Pier provides, and finding the rare individuals who can deliver this unique blend of service is not easy.  While we haven’t minded the overtime, nights, and weekends when needed, we can finally say that we do need more great people to join us.

We are currently looking for interns, part-time, and full-time candidates to meet the growing needs of our clients.

If you or someone you know is looking for:

Web Design opportunities, please email us a cover letter, resume, and examples of recent work to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Web Programming and Engineering opportunities, please email us a cover letter, resume, list of programming skills, and examples of recent work to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

IT Project Management opportunities, please email us a cover letter, resume, and list of recent projects worked on including descriptions of your role to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

We expect all candidates to be true problem solvers at their core with a skill set and drive that enables them to excel in all situations.  We are also seeking candidates with exceptional interpersonal skills who can clearly translate “IT speak” into understandable business terms with clients in the best and worst of situations. Get in touch with us and we’ll tell you more about how you can be a part of a culture that allows us to truly help our amazing clients with the best technology has to offer.

We Can See the Water From Here - First Pier Moves to the Old Port

We’ve been known to love a little hustle and bustle. Which is why we’re psyched to announce that First Pier Technology Partners has moved to the Old Port! After a very busy summer and fall filled with diverse local and national projects, we’re finally getting settled into our new digs at 217 Commercial Street, and feel right at home on the waterfront along with our small business neighbors. We love the blend of classic brick buildings, lobster-seeking tourists, and busy Old Port businesses and working piers (ahem, wharves). We’re proud to be sharing the block with the fine folks at The Telling Room, Asia West, and Fetch, and are just steps away from great eateries such as the Farmer’s Table, Havana South, and the Salt Exchange. Just walking into the office every day, we feel energized by the buzz of the city and serene views of the water.

Now that we’re all moved in, our next step is to make the space feel more “us.” We’ve already replaced a new glass door, had our nameplate installed in the lobby, and arranged the furniture to our liking. For those of you who know us, you know that a sweet coffee setup, access to our digital music library, and some local artwork won’t be far behind. As our client successes continue, this is just one of many steps in our growth and role in the Maine technology and small business community.