How to Claim Your Google Business Listing
If you aren’t found on page one of a local Google search, there is a good likelihood that no one will find you. That is why Google My Business has become the hottest tactic for SEO. Google My Business is the most critical digital marketing tool there is. But before you try to manage your account, it is important to understand how to claim and verify your company or business on Google.
What are Google Business Listings?
When someone does an organic Google search on either the Google or Google Maps format, Google lists local businesses to match. The results that are displayed contain information about all the relevant companies that the internet viewer is searching for in their area. The searcher can see all pertinent information such as the business name, ratings, address, description, photos, hours of operation, and phone number.
The way that Google generates business listings is based on publicly available information. If you own a company within a specific location, it is possible that you will come up even if you haven’t added any details to your business listing.
Steps to Optimize Google Business Listing
First, you have to go through a very simple step-by-step process to both claim and verify your business listing. Once you complete the first step, you can post photos, business hours, and respond to both customer comments and questions. After you claim your account, you can also add things like events, promotions, and recent updates to your Google business listing. That means that potential or current customers will get information about your business simply by searching on Google or Google Maps.
Why You Should Use Google My Business Listings to Optimize Google Business Listing?
When someone needs a service or business, Google is the first place that they turn. Potential customers can see information on Google about your company without ever having to go to your website. But if they do want to find out more, there is an automatic link. Google Maps is currently the most favored way that smartphone users find what they need. In fact, it is used by as many as 70% of those who use smartphones. That is nearly six times more than Waze, which is the second most popular mobile search.
Making your Business Listing complete and alluring is critical to your digital marketing. If you aren’t maximizing your profile, then you aren’t showing things like photos and descriptions that can attract potential customers. Things like not having your business hours listed might give the impression that you aren’t open for business.
What can I Include in a Google My Business Listing?
Google My Business listings include things like your address, hours of operation, and a brief description of your business or service. It can also include details that are vital to contacting you like your address, a link to your website, and a phone number.
When people search using Google Maps on their smartphone or mobile device, they can click on the listing, and it will guide them to get directions or to contact you via your phone number. And smartphone users can also send text messages to your business if you have activated the messaging function.
When you manage your Google My Business listing, you can also use it to promote your business activities, promotions, or special events. Therefore, it is like free digital marketing. You can also add things like photos, answer questions, and respond to reviews. Once more, the listing you create will appear across different mediums like voice searches, mobile devices, and desktop computer searches.
Why Should I Verify my Google Business Listing?
Google My Business is one of the best ways to increase your local SEO, and it is all free. Your Google business listing is the first impression that people searching for your company or business via Google will encounter. So make it attractive, update it, and ensure its accuracy to make a good and lasting one.
Adding things like photos, your phone number, and your hours of operation can make a significant impact on the number of people who view your business and reach out to contact you. Once you have gone through the verification process, you can interact with potential customers by:
- Editing days and times of operation
- Verifying your phone number
- Verifying your website link
- Adding photos
- Responding to customer reviews
- Posting promotions and special events
- Answering questions
- Alerting customers of your offers, posts, or promotions
- Receiving text messages from customers or prospective customers
- Viewing analytics for desktop and mobile internet searches
Many businesses report a significant impact on their SEO when they update their Google My Business Listing, which means that they are being found through more Google searches.
How do I Verify and Claim my Google My Business Listing?
Log into your account via the Google’s Business Manager
If you have more than one Google account, make sure that you use the one that is associated with your business login. The Google account that you choose to go through the verification process will become the manager and owner of your Google business listing. The verification process will go much more smoothly if you log into a Google account that is already associated with your business, and if you use the email address that belongs to your business’s domain.
Enter Your Company Name and Select Your Location
If you have more than one location, you will need to both claim and verify each separately. Start with one and then continue to repeat the process until all listings are claimed. If there is no business already listed, Google does not have a listing for your company. If that is the case, you will need to follow a different set of steps to create a new business listing.
Confirm the Details of Your Business
Google will prompt you to confirm the details of your business such as the name, address, website, and phone number. You will then be asked to select a business category. If you aren’t sure what business category to choose, just pick one that fits best. Or, if your business fits into more than one category, you can choose others.
Begin the Verification Process
Google requires listing managers to verify that they are authorized to manage and edit business listings. Once you have gone through the steps to verify, you can update and manage your business listing. The most common way to verify your authorization is via Postal Mail.
A Google postcard will come containing a verification code according to your address. It may take up to five or more days for your postcard to arrive. But, for some businesses, there might be quicker verification methods including a phone call, an email, or even an instant verification code.
Check Your Postal MailBox
You will receive a postcard sent to your business address within 5-7 business days that will contain the code to begin verifying your Google My Business listing. The code will be inside of the postcard, and it will contain five digits.
Log Into Your Google Account and Complete Verification
Once you’ve obtained the five digit code, log back in your Google’s Business Manager account. Enter the five digits, and you are then verified. And you can update and add things to optimize your Google My Business listing. But, there are times when verification can take a little longer. If your listing needs to be reviewed, it can take up to three days for your updates to publish.
Google My Business is one of the best digital marketing tools that you can use for your local SEO. The best part is that it is entirely free once you verify and confirm your business. Follow these steps and start to create a portfolio to attract potential customers and to keep established ones in the loop! For more tips and tricks to enhance your local SEO contact FuDog Media today!