Good day, Local Guides!
I strongly believe every local guide and everybody here on Local Guides Connect love sharing information on Maps to help others find the desired information. I use Google Maps every day and rely on reviews, photos and other information you provide on Maps.
Google Maps has given us an incredible platform where we can share our local knowledge on the palm of our hand. I love the fact that there are so many information I can provide on Google Maps. I love to share everything I know about the places I visit, that may help other users. But I care for one cause most. Today I am writing about the cause I care most sharing on Google Maps and why.
What do I love sharing on Google Maps most?
I always like to provide information about the payment method availability of a place most. How a user can pay at a place is my concern.
Why do I love sharing information about payment method availability most?
Every time I am about to visit a place where I will have to pay for something, some questions pop up in my mind.
- Is it cash only?
- What payment options are available?
- Do they accept mobile wallets?
- Which mobile wallets do they accept?
- Do they accept credit card only?
- Will my card work there?
But why I always think about it? Because unlike the US or other developed countries not all places accept cards or digital payments in Bangladesh. The POS are also different. For example, every bank has their own debit cards which will only work on their respective POS and will not work in other bank’s POS. There are some POS which accept most of the cards but still, nobody is sure if their card will work there or not.
Lately, there are many mobile wallets which are becoming popular and more places are adopting these as a payment option. So I want to know if they accept mobile wallet or if yes, then which one.
Because when I am going to give a treat to my friends or going for dinner with my family at a restaurant I don’t know how much the bill will incur. The same thing happens when I go to a grocery store, pharmacy, clothing store or shopping. So I always feel worried about the payment options. Carrying cash is not convenient. Because why should I bother getting the cash from ATMs using my cards and then pay by cash, whereas I can just pay by cards. If they accept my preferred payment option then it is a relief for me. Because then, I don’t need to carry cash and worry about the bill amount. Also, this will save my time of going to an ATM.
So I always look for the payment options by searching using relevant keywords in the reviews on Google Maps. When I get to see that other local guides have provided this information, I feel helped. As I rely on Google Maps in my everyday life, I feel an urge to do the same by reverting back to the community. And this is why I love providing payment method availability information on Google Maps most.
How do I provide information about payment method availability on Google Maps?
I do this through review, photos & answers. Whether it is a restaurant, coffee shop, departmental store, hospital or tourist spot; I always check out which payment options are available. When I know this information I answer the yes/no questions asked by the Maps which sometimes includes some payment related questions. But maps does not ask the payment question always and I don’t have control over it. So I always include one or two lines about payment options at the bottom my reviews so other users can easily find it.
Sometimes I take photos which show the payment methods available there. I see my photos are taken well by maps. Many of these photos are featured at the top. Now, I am providing a few example photos I have uploaded to the Maps.
What is my future plan?
As a local guide, my plan is to continue providing information about the payment options available at the places I visit. I want to enrich the map with payment method information. Also, I will try to convince these businesses about the importance of digital payment methods and having these methods will increase their revenue and customer satisfaction. I won’t let anybody worry anymore about payment methods at the places I visit. I also request you to provide this information as much as you can.
Thank you so much for reading the post. See you soon.
Proud to be a Local Guide!
Saif
