A core element of local SEO, Google My Business is an effective way for businesses of all sizes to connect with their customers. If you’re just getting started with local SEO, setting up a Google My Business listing for your company is the perfect place to begin. Read on for some simple instructions on setting up your Google My Business profile!
How to Create Your Google My Business Listing
Step 1: Log into the Google Account that you want associated with your business. If you don’t have a Google account, create one.
Step 2: Head to the Google My Business main page. Select “Manage Now” and enter your business name.
Step 3: Choose a category that best fits your business.
Step 4: Choose whether or not to add and display the location of a physical storefront that the public can visit.
Step 5: Add your business’s complete address.
Step 6: If a potential close match is found, you may be asked to confirm whether or not one of the existing locations is your business. If none of the options are your business, click to proceed.
Step 7: At this point, you will be asked whether or not you serve customers outside of your physical location. For example, if your business delivers to customers, you will have the option to specify your service area(s) in the next step.
Step 8: Add your business phone number and/or website.
Verify Your Business
After filling out all of your information, it’s time to verify your business. While this doesn’t have to be done immediately, keep in mind that you won’t be able to fully manage your business until it has been verified.
Verifying your business can either be done immediately through an automated phone call, or by a postcard with a verification code mailed to your address. The latter method takes a few days, so keep an eye out for it in the mail!
Google My Business Tips
Now that you’ve gotten your Google My Business listing up and running, take a look at some helpful tips for success:
- Fill out your profile completely. It’s important to take the time to fill out all of the relevant sections of your Google My Business listing. An incomplete listing will be much less helpful for customers, and it may not rank as high in Google as a result.
- Request and respond to customer reviews. Reviews have a significant impact on local search ranking, so don’t be afraid to ask a customer to leave a review after doing business with you. Not only that, but if/when you receive a review, be sure to respond to it!
- Add photos regularly. Prospective customers like to see what your business is all about. The more information you provide to your customers about your business, the better.
- Enable messaging. Messaging is a feature that you can use to communicate with customers directly from your Google By Business profile. This is a helpful tool that will make you even more accessible to your customers.
Creating a Google My Business listing is just the beginning of a great local SEO strategy. If you’re looking to further improve your online presence in local search, Schweb Design is here to help – contact us today!