8 Simple Steps to Create Your Google My Business Listing
By Nate
If lead generation is a priority for your business (and why wouldn’t it be?), a Google My Business listing is an absolute must. Having a listing will quite literally put your business on the map.
According to research, 80% of all online searches are done through Google, and the vast majority of people only look through the first page of search results. In addition, Google Maps results display near the top of Google search results, which is why setting up a Google My Business page is so important to include in the overall marketing strategy of your business.
Believe or not, less than 50% of businesses have a Google My Business listing. Get ahead of your competition and set-up your account today with these simple step-by-step instructions.
How to Create Your Google My Business Listing
Google My Business is a free service that gives your business a pinpoint location on Google Maps and helps potential local customers find your company.
1. SIGN UP FOR A GOOGLE MY BUSINESS ACCOUNT
Google My Business is connected through Gmail, so if you don’t have a Gmail account, you’ll need to create one.
Once your Gmail account is up and running, sign-in and head over to https://www.google.com/business/. Then click on “Manage Now” in the upper right corner.
2. FIND YOUR BUSINESS
Manually input your business information. Take the time to ensure all details are accurate and up-to-date.
3. ADD YOUR BUSINESS LOCATION
Next, add your business location. Note that Google will prompt you with the question below. If your business relies on traveling to people’s homes and businesses, select Yes, I also serve them outside my location.
4. SELECT YOUR BUSINESS CATEGORY
You will then be prompted to choose a category for your business. We recommend using a high-ranking SEO keyword that’s most relevant to your business (useful tip: you can find keywords related to your industry using this tool).
5. ADD YOUR CONTACT DETAILS
Next, you’ll need to input your business’ phone number and your website URL. Though both are optional, we highly recommend adding both pieces of information.
6. VERIFY YOUR ACCOUNT
The last step is to verify your account. There are three different ways to verify your newly created Google My Business account: by text message, email or by postcard. Choose the method that’s easiest for you. Keep in mind that if choosing the postcard method, you’ll need to wait 3-5 days to get a postcard with a confirmation code.
How to Optimize Your Google My Business Listing
Now that your account is properly set-up, prospective clients searching within your area will be able to find your business more easily. To get the most out of Google My Business, we suggest taking the extra step to optimize your listing. Here are a few suggested best practices that can have a massive impact on your SEO.
7. ADD YOUR SERVICES
When completing your account, include as many details as possible. Under contact information, add your email address. Next, select all the services your business may offer. Lastly, add a few professional photos and/or videos that highlight your work. This is also a good way to showcase past and current projects.
8. ENABLE GOOGLE REVIEWS
Reviews are perhaps the most important feature of Google My Business. They will act as a powerful trust signal for your business in addition to incentivizing your employees to consistently deliver a high level of service. Plus, Google reviews increase your odds of being found online by boosting your SEO — a triple win!
If you’d like to learn more about Google reviews, click here for our 8 highly effective tips to get more Google reviews for your business.
Congratulations! You’ve taken an important step towards better marketing your services. Now that you’ve completed and optimized your Google My Business listing, you’ve opened the gates for a whole new stream of leads looking for your services!
