Havent we all seen a business on Google Maps that has no images other then streetview? What does this instantly tell us? Either there is low traffic, bad service or simply a lack of effort from the owner. When comparing two separate companies on google, the one who has the most pictures that help familiarize us with the products/area is probably the one we will be choosing due to our newly perceived familiarity. This also doesn’t guarantee that the better option will be chosen since an owner may not even realize the impact that Google Maps images has on his business. This is where the Local Guide can change the landscape! By providing a few well thought and enchanting photographs, a Local Guide can transform a business’ first impressions. Not only will a customer choose the business that offers more information and images, but he will also be predisposed to have a great experience and maybe even offer a review on Google. An example of a business that has a terrible initial image that I helped by adding a few internals is Twigg Music in Montreal. My pictures have gotten tens of thousands of views and have really helped counteract the sketchy first photo. Help out your favorite places by making images that make their image better!
HI @Tipit
While I agree with the thrust of your post that a business listing should have an image, I do not totally agree with your statements:
“When comparing two separate companies on google, the one who has the most pictures that help familiarize us with the products/area is probably the one we will be choosing due to our newly perceived familiarity…Not only will a customer choose the business that offers more information and images, but…”
Of course in saying this, in reality we don’t know which of the alternative businesses a customer will chose but we do know which of our own images for a given business review will have the most photo views and this has interested me as in my opinion and again based on my experience, often it is not the best photo or the one you would most expect that achieves the greatest number of views (see the post Your most viewed single photo?). Also, in my opinion and from my personal experience, it is not about the quantity of images but more about image relevancy that is important which I think you are saying when you say "that help familiarize us with the products/area" and “By providing a few well thought and enchanting photographs, a Local Guide can transform a business’ first impressions.”
Hey @Tipit ,
You may be new to Connect or writing to share a post for your Connect Live application. If you’re applying to Connect Live 2019 be sure to share a link to a new Connect post responding to this year’s application prompt. You can find everything you need to know about writing a post for Connect Live 2019 here.
P.S. I will move your post to Local Stories board, where all applications should appear.