Google Offers Business Photos For Small Business

Filed in archive Business News on May 12, 2010

It is hard to follow the whirlwind of online products aimed at small businesses, and harder for small businesses to choose where to focus their attention and budgets.
Some days ago, I found out about an interesting new plan by Google - focused on assisting small businesses make photographs of their business that would be published in the Google search index. Here's what Google says in describing this program:

Do you own a business? Apply today for a Google photo shoot of your business.

Millions of potential customers visit Google daily to learn about places and businesses. Through scheduled photo shoots, Google is presenting a new way for you to showcase your business to the world.

Where are photo shoots available?

Google photographers are currently visiting businesses in select cities in the United States, Japan, and Australia. Any business can apply for a photo shoot, and demand will assist us decide where to send our photographers next.

Where will the photos appear?

Pictures from the shoot will be added to your Place Page.

For businesses wondering why they should invite Google to take a photo of their business free of charge, Google provides the following answer:

Just as you can't judge a book by its cover, you can't always judge a business by its exterior. Interior photos are a great way to demonstrate to potential customers what your business is really like. By enhancing your Place Page, business photos will help your business stand out above the competition and get discovered on Google. Millions of users will be able to visit your establishment from the comfort of their own homes, or preview it to help them decide on a visit. Best of all, it's free!

Although you are not guaranteed that Google will select your business to be photographed, it's a simple application process and the program is free. You can apply here.