Creating a Google My Business listing is a quick way to increase your chances of being found in a Google search. It’s a great way to craft a web searcher’s first introduction to your company.
There are several benefits to having a Google My Business listing including the ability to make sure your location and business hours are accurate as well as the list of services or products you provide. Taking the time to include photos will help highlight your company’s greatest features. Listing your business on Google is an excellent way to create an additional way for the right people to find you quickly via the internet, and the best part is, it’s free.
Why You Need a Google My Business Listing
With the addition of the Google search algorithm RankBrain, search has expanded to more clearly understand synonyms and broader connections between web page content. Still, it’s important to give your business every advantage for discovery. The creation of a business listing does this in the best way possible. Who better to tell Google about your company than you?
A business listing is especially helpful for local searchers. When someone accesses the “find near me” feature on their phone Google business listings are the first listings to pull up in search or on Google Maps. This means that anyone in the area, whether they live there or are passing through will find you. Google explains “Google local business listings appear in 3 places in the search results for Google: in Google Maps, in the local pack and within the localized organic Google web results.”
One of the features of a business listing is the ability for customers to leave reviews. This has its risks because anyone has the freedom to comment, but online reviews help your search rankings. The more people who say you have a great business, the higher your information will rank in search.
Getting Your Google Listing Set Up
To set up your Google Business Listing follow these steps:
- Go to business.google.com
- Search for your business. If your business is listed take action to “claim” the listing. If it doesn’t show up select “no these are not my businesses.” At this point select the prompt to add your information.
- Update the listing with current information. Make sure to fill in every cell provided. Include all business details such as contact information and services. Another benefit of Google business listing is you can quickly update your information at any time.
- Add photos
- Verify the listing
Adding keywords is an important step is setting up an accurate profile. Every keyword you include helps Google connect your profile to the right people searching. To learn more about the best tips and tricks for creating a Google My Business profile, read our comprehensive guide for more information.
Make the Most of your Business Listing
After your business listing is live anyone can change the information. You must check your page’s dashboard frequently to assure your information stays accurate. If the suggested changes need your approval a “pending” notification will appear.
Google business listings include a section called a Google post. This space offers the flexibility to add personalized content. Moz suggests featuring current events like an upcoming sale or a link to a blog post. Each entry will stay live for seven days.
If your business is one that schedules appointments consider taking the time to sync your business listing to a supported schedule provider. Using a third party scheduler you can add an “easy schedule button” to your listing. This is just one more way to help potential customers easily connect with you.
A different third-party app syncs with Google to allow customers to send you messages or ask questions which you will receive as text messages. This may be more communication than you would like, but you have to ability to set the feature up at any point.
Once your listing is live it’s essential that you continue to review your profile and make sure information stays accurate. It’s also important to remember that Google has specific rules for these pages. They will suspend listings that do not comply with their rules.
A Google My Business listing is one of the best ways to quickly increase your online presence without spending a lot of money.