As an Innkeeper and business owner, you are undoubtedly familiar with the fact that Google allows you to claim your local business listing, and to customize the information people see when they conduct a search for lodging in your area. Through the Local Business Center, claiming your “Google Place” page allows you to add photos, video, hours of operation, highlight some of the special features of your Inn, and add custom description. In addition, you can create coupons, perhaps offering a bottle of wine with a two night stay in June, or theater tickets to the local production with a three night booking.

These days, one out of every five searches is location related, so having your local listing up to date and accurate is of the utmost importance.

And now, once you’ve claimed your local listing, you can download a “QR” (aka bar code) customized for your Inn from your Google Places dashboard. This eye-catching graphic can be placed in the window of your Inn or Restaurant, on business cards or other marketing materials. Customers scan the QR bar code with their mobile devices, and view the mobile version of the Place Page for your business.

Your Guest or Potential Customer Can:

• Read reviews to see what other users have to say about your Inn.
• Find a coupon that you’ve posted to your Places Page.
• Star the Inn to remember to check it out later, or to visit again.
• Leave a review of the Inn.