Go to google.com/business and click the “get on google” button. You will be asked to sign in to your google account. If you do not have a google account then you can click “create account” .
You’ll be directed to a maps page where you can search for your business. If your business doesn’t appear in search results, you can click the magnifying glass to the right of the search bar. You should then see an option to add your business.
Once you’ve finished adding the most up to date information about your business, you will need to verify it in order to tell Google that your business is legitimate and that you are the business owner. This is typically done by requesting a verification code that Google will mail to you. It arrives with 1-2 weeks and inputting that code will verify your business on Google.
What is Google My Business
Google My Business is a free tool to help you manage your online presence across Google. This works for things such as Search, as well as Google Maps. This is a necessary step if you wish to better help your customers find your business online.
What Does Google My Business Do
Google My Business helps you with your local SEO and provides a verification process that allows customers to find your business and trust it.
According to Google, 97% of users search for local products and services, but only 37% of businesses have claimed a Google My Business local business listing on the search engine. This means that there is a huge opportunity for you to get the leg up on your competition if they haven’t taken advantage of the free tool and claimed their Google My Business!
How Does Google My Business Work
By creating a Google My Business Account you can take control of what potential customers see when they do a local search for your business. Google My Business gives you the opportunity to update your Business Profile and engage with your customers from your phone, tablet and computer.
Google uses a variety of factors (i.e. an algorithm) to determine what sites show up in your local search results. Although there are hundreds of factors that are considered in Google’s search algorithm, when it comes to local search, here are a few of the main ones:
- Distance: how close is the business to the one searching or the area where the searcher is located?
- Prominence: measured by how well-known or popular the business/website is based on information Google finds about it on the internet.
How to Add a New Business to Google Maps
If you’re adding a new business and you do not have an account Go to google.com/business and sign into your google account that you wish to be associated with the business page. If you already have a Google My Business account and you’re adding a new locations then click Manage Locations and enter in your new location.
How to Find Out if Your Business is Already Added
By going through the same the steps mentioned above, going to google.com/business and clicking Get on Google you can then do a search for your business. If you do not see your business appearing in search results then click the magnifying glass and choose to Add Your Business.
Verifying Your Google Business Listing
There are several ways to verify your Google My Business listing:
- By email
- By phone
- By postcard
- Instant verification
- Bulk verification
How to Edit a Google Business Listing
- Sign into Google My Business and choose the listing you’d like to edit.
- Click on Info for the menu
- Click the section that you want to change and then make your edits.
- Click Apply.
How to Contact Google About Your Business Listing
Start by signing into your Business account and clicking the help page on the dashboard. Click on NEED MORE HELP in the top right corner and choose what topic you need help on. From here you can provide additional information regarding your problem. Additionally you can select ‘Request a phone call.’
