How to List Your Business
on
Google My Business
Google search results rely heavily on data included in Google My Business listings. As a rule, if you want your small business to show up on Google search results, it helps a great deal to list your company on Google My Business. Listing your company info will ensure that your correct name, address and phone number (NAP), business hours, products and services, map location, photos, and even special promotions are listed across all of Google, including Google Maps. This is the single most important listing your company can have online.
Go to www.google.com/business to begin setting up your Google My Business company profile. The information you enter through your Google My Business dashboard will appear in Google search and Google Maps results when customers look online for your business, products or services. Click on "Start Now" to begin.
On the next screen, log in using your Google account information. If you do not have a Google account, register for one now.
Once you have logged in, enter your business name in the search field of the Google My Business "Add Your Business" page.
If your business name is in Google's system already, it will show up in the listings that appear below the "Business Name" field. If it turns out that your business listing has already been verified and claimed - by an employee or a previous owner, for example - a message will pop up allowing you to request ownership.
If your business is completely new to Google, you will need to enter your address, phone number, business category and website information in the appropriate fields. Your business location will be displayed on the map screen as it will appear on Google Maps.
On the next screen, you will be prompted to "Confirm Your Business." Check the box confirming you are authorized to manage the business listing and agree to Google's terms of service.
Next, you will be asked to verify your business. You can click on "Learn more" to see verification options, but mail verification is the standard option. Click on the "Mail" button to receive a verification code postcard at your business address. Your verification code will arrive in the mail in one to two weeks.
While your business listing won't publish on Google until you receive your verification code postcard and verify the listing, you can still build out and edit your profile in the meantime. This is a good opportunity to maximize your listing so that it's ready to go when you do receive your verification postcard.
From your dashboard page, you should add your complete business contact information as you would like it to appear on your Google My Business profile, in Google search and on Google Maps.
The more complete your profile, the better. You should add accurate and up-to-date hours of operation. Google recommends that you upload your logo and a photo of your storefront. These will appear on your Google listing when it appears in Google search results and on Google Maps, making it easier for mobile customers to find your business using their smartphones.
This is also a good time to check other business listings sites on the internet to make sure they match your new Google listing. Consistency is key so customers and search engines always find the right info for your business. Manta can help you update these listings so you don't have to worry about all 70+ online directories yourself.
Click on "Info" at the top of the page to see how your business profile will look once it's verified and published on Google. You can edit and update your profile information directly from this page.
Click on "Photos" to upload and categorize images of your business as you add them to your Google My Business profile.
Once your company profile is verified and live on Google, you can manage your complete presence on Google by logging into your Google My Business account. From your company dashboard, you can manage your paid search ads by integrating your AdWords account with your Google My Business profile.
From your account, you will also be able to gain insights into how customers see and use information about your company as it appears on Google. You can also manage and respond to reviews that customers leave about your business on Google, right from your Google My Business dashboard. Companies with multiple stores or offices can manage up to 10 locations from a single Google My Business profile.
Remember, your Google My Business profile is only as good as you make it. It's necessary to edit your profile to reflect any change in location, phone number, services offered or hours of operation.
For the sake of consistency (and better placement in search engine results), make sure the information on your Google My Business profile matches the information on your website, your social media profiles and all other online business directory sites on the internet.
Keep your business listings accurate and rich with details about your company, and you'll increase your visibility online and among customers looking to do business with you!
Don't waste time tracking down every listing on the internet! Manta can update your listings automatically on 70+ online directories so you can get back to business.
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