Your location as well as your industry specifics are vital information that is relayed to Goggle Places. Some elements in your Google Places listings can have a negative impact on the position of your Google Places listing in the search results. Here is a list of seven Key Elements of what to avoid for successful Google Places listing - make sure that you're not hurting your listing.
1. Multiple Google Places Pages with the Same Business Title
It is better to have one good listing on Google Places. Your business should not have multiple Google Places entries. Use a suite number if you are in an office building. Also that applies to Multiple Locations on Your Google Places. Use a new landing page per city or location. This will ensure that Google does not get confused with your listing.
2. (800) Phone Numbers
Having a local number instead of a 1-800 phone number increases your rankings. Do not use a call center number, if at all possible.
3. Using a P.O. Box
Google removes P. O. Box addresses. This is because Google does not consider P.O. boxes to be physical locations of your business. If your website only shows a P.O. box address, then this can have a negative influence on your Google Places rankings.
4. Hiding Your Address on Your Google PlacesDo not hide your address on your Google Places entry. If you do so, chances are that your business will not be shown unless it is an exact search. If you are in an office building make sure that you use a suite number to differentiate your business.
5. Multiple Google Places Pages with the Same Phone Number
Each of your business listings should have their own phone number. Although it is possible to have one number for several businesses, this does give others the impression that it is spam or not genuine, thus chasing away prospective customers. Multiple Google Places listings can have a negative impact on your website listing.
6. Negative Reviews
Having a negative review will decrease your click thru rate, thus having less impact on potential customers. However, it takes several negative reviews to cause your ratings to drop. Try to have the least amount of negative reviews as possible.
Also, you can have a public answer or review of that negative comment. Try to be nice, objective, do not go into arguments.
On another hand, encourage your good customers to write positive reviews, then one negative review will disappear between all positive ones.
7. Local Keywords in Categories
You can suggest your own category when you submit your site to Google. However, do not add local keywords as this can result in a ranking drop and it is against Google’s guidelines as well. For example, you would like to be listed as Medical Marketing agency. Do not put "Ventura Medical Marketing" where Ventura is your local city.