Discovering the Best Google Plus Local Alternatives for Your Business

Google Plus Local, once a significant player in helping businesses get discovered and gather reviews, has evolved and been integrated into other Google services. For those familiar with its original functionality – providing trusted reviews, helping users find great places, and allowing businesses to share their experiences – the shift might leave you looking for robust replacements. While Google's offerings have changed, the need for effective local search and review platforms remains critical for businesses and consumers alike. This article explores the top Google Plus Local alternative options available today, ensuring you can continue to connect with your audience and manage your online presence effectively.

Top Google Plus Local Alternatives

Whether you're a business owner seeking to enhance your online visibility or a consumer looking for reliable local recommendations, these alternatives offer diverse features to meet your needs. Dive into our curated list to find the perfect fit.

foursquare

Foursquare is an excellent Google Plus Local alternative, focusing on helping users discover new places and experiences tailored to their individual tastes. Available across numerous platforms including Web, Android, iPhone, and Windows Phone, it offers robust features like location-based recommendations, GPS Location Tracking, and IFTTT integration. It's a social network designed for exploration, making it a strong contender for those who valued Google Plus Local's discovery aspects.

Yelp

Yelp serves as a leading Google Plus Local alternative for discovering, recommending, and discussing local businesses. Available for Free on Web, Android, iPhone, and many other platforms, Yelp allows members to share their favorite recommendations and experiences, providing detailed reviews and ratings that help consumers make informed decisions, much like the original intention of Google Plus Local.

Apple Maps

Apple Maps is a strong Google Plus Local alternative, particularly for Apple users, offering comprehensive location services. Available for Free on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, it provides turn-by-turn directions, interactive 3D views, and integrates features like Nearby Search, Points of Interest (POI), and Real-time traffic, powered by a community-based approach for accurate local information.

openMarkers

openMarkers offers a Free and Open Source alternative to Google Plus Local, built as a collaborative project to create open points of interest worldwide. Available on the Web, it's user-generated, allowing users to add or vote for their favorite places, and discover highly-rated locations based on OpenStreetMap data, making it a great option for community-driven local discovery.

Google My Business

Google My Business is the official successor and an essential Google Plus Local alternative for businesses. It's a Free web-based platform that helps businesses manage their online presence across Google Maps and Google Search, enabling them to attract local customers and control their listing information and reviews – a direct evolution of the local business management that Google Plus Local offered.

Google Places

Google Places, closely related to other Google local services, acts as a Google Plus Local alternative by allowing users to browse nearby places across various categories like restaurants, hotels, and banks. Available for Free on Web, Android, and iPhone, it helps users quickly find locations, directions, and distances, providing a direct way to discover local businesses.

GrubHub

For those primarily interested in food-related local services, GrubHub is an excellent Google Plus Local alternative specifically for restaurant discovery and delivery. Available for Free on Web, Android, and iPhone, it allows users to find nearby delivery or pickup options from a vast selection of restaurants, streamlining the process of finding local eateries.

sitejabber

Sitejabber offers a unique Google Plus Local alternative for customer ratings and reviews, focusing on businesses beyond just local establishments. Available for Free on the Web, it helps consumers find ratings and read reviews to ensure they buy from the best companies, providing Google Chrome and Firefox Extensions for convenience. While broader in scope, it fulfills the review-centric aspect of Google Plus Local.

DoorDash

DoorDash is another strong Google Plus Local alternative for food delivery services. Available for Free on Android and iPhone, it focuses on delivering from hundreds of local restaurants efficiently. Its location-based features make it easy to discover nearby eateries and get food delivered swiftly, serving a similar local discovery need as Google Plus Local but specialized for food.

ServiceWhale

ServiceWhale provides a specialized Google Plus Local alternative for home improvement projects. Available for Free on the Web, it offers instant upfront custom quotes for major services like roofing and heating/cooling. With features like Local Search, Location-based services, and Ratings, it helps users find and choose local service providers with transparent pricing and reliable reviews.

While Google Plus Local has evolved, the ecosystem of local search and business review platforms is more vibrant than ever. From comprehensive social networks like Foursquare and Yelp to specialized services like GrubHub and ServiceWhale, there’s a Google Plus Local alternative perfectly suited for every need. Explore these options to find the best fit for your business visibility or personal local discovery.