Google+ Local and Google+ Page

Question

Ok, I'm a bit confused by all of this, I have 2 main questions.

1. The company I work for has a Google Places account, now Google+ Local as I understand. Where I'm getting confused is, what is the difference between a Google+ Local page and a Google+ page?

2. In search results, there are a few competitors showing in the rankings with map markers to the right (not in the right hand side of the page) and under the web site name - Google+ page. The company I work for does better than these in the search results, but doesn't have a map marker or a link below to a Google+ page. Can anyone give me an idea how to get ranked like these other web sites?

I have only today created a Google+ account, and would like some advice before I go creating a page when there already exists a Google+ Local page. I read here that these 2 pages should be merged?

Answer 1

In my own experience:

A Google+ Page is part of Google's social network. Think Facebook Page for businesses. If a business with a Google+ Page also has a physical location, it can create and verify a Local (previously Places) Page which essentially merges as part of the business' profile

According to Google :

When a business owner verifies a local Google+ Page, any existing listing for the business is merged with the local Google+ Page to create a single page with a verified checkmark. Verified local Google+ Pages have features of both pages described above–scores and reviews as well as posts from the business owner.

To verify a Local Google+ Page, a postcard with a PIN is mailed to the physical address of the business. The PIN must be entered into the business' account by an expiration date or go through the process again.