How to add a business on Google Maps
How to add a business on Google Maps Introduction In a world where almost every individual of different ages holds a mobile device in their hand, it is a no-brainer that you should be listing your business on local search. Research done by HubSpot has shown that 88% of searches for local businesses on a mobile device either result in a call or a visit to the business within 24 hours, and 72% of visitors that conducted a local search visited the store within five miles! These impressive figures highlight the importance of a local business developing a strong online presence. Aren’t these stats crazy? Wouldn’t you like to get your business listed online and increase your sales? You’re in the right place! In the first part of the blog we learned about what Google My Business is all about. In this blog, we will learn a few tips on setting up and optimising your Google My Business account. The first essential step towards SEO success is creating a Google My Business profile for your business or for the local companies that you are working with. In this part of the blog, we will explain the steps to create a profile on Google My Business and get your profile listed. Create a Google Account The first step you need to do is create a business Google account, or you can use your existing Google account. Google accounts are simple to create and are available to everyone. Sign in to your Google Business Profile Manager Once you create your Google Account or log in to your existing Google Account, select Business Profile. Enter your business name You can look for your business name by typing in the search bar. If the business name doesn’t appear, then you can add your business name by clicking on ‘Add your business to Google’. If your business is already listed, then you can claim it by simply clicking on “Request Access” and you will be guided through the process. Add the Business Name and Category In the next step, you will have to enter your business name. Make sure that your business stands out from the rest of your competitors and has some significance to the services you provide. Choose your business type Whether you’re just an online retailer or you have a local store or you own a service-based business, you’ll need to select the right business type that is the most suitable to your business. You can select multiple types that apply to your business as well. Add your website If you own an online store or if you have a website, insert your link on GMB. According to statistics racked up, 97% of people learn more about the company online than anywhere else. Enter a Business Category Adding a business category will help customers discover your business when they search for something they’re looking for. Add the category that is the most relevant to your business Enter your Business Address In this step, you will have to add your business address. Add a physical location where customers can visit your company. Make it a point to add the correct information. Position the marker on the exact spot where your business is location Add a Phone Number to your profile Enter your company phone number and website URL so that customers can contact you. Let customers get in touch by including your phone number on your Business Profile. Get verified In order to fully manage and represent this business on Google, you’ll need to confirm that it’s yours. A verification code will be sent to the address of your business. Enter your five-digit code on the following screen (or go to https://business.google.com/) and select Verify or Verify business. After your business is verified, customize your profile by updating your business hours, business description, messaging preferences, photos, and more! You can update this information by clicking the “info” tab in the left column. How to optimize your Google My Business Profile If you want to improve the chances of your Google Business Profile listing ranking well on local search results, then optimizing your GMB Profile should be at the top of your priority SEO checklist Your local ranking factors are determined by the following: Relevance: How well your Google My Business Profile listing matches a searchDistance: How far your location is from the search or searcher Prominence: How well-known your business is (based on factors like links, number of reviews, review score, and SEO) For more information, visit Hootsuite Below are ways to optimize your Google My Business Profile Analyze your Name, Address, and Phone Information The first thing you ought to do for your GMB Profile is to review and analyze your NAP information. Review your business name. Is your business name listed correctly? Does it match the name listed on your physical location or online store? Is it consistent on all platforms? Check if the address information of your business is listed correctly on GMB. Make it a point to enter the correct building name or the street where your business is located. On GMB you also have the option to hide your business address. The next checkpoint is your phone number. A phone number is crucial since you will have a lot of potential customers calling your business to inquire about your services or products. Add a relevant Business Description and category Add a brief description of your business, your business values, the products and services you offer, and the areas you serve. It’s vital to add the cities you service and the services you provide since it signals google to rank your business for the terms mentioned in the description. Adding a category is an important step in optimizing your GMB Profile. Categories describe your business and connect you to customers who search for your products or service. You can add a secondary category as well. Note that Google has a predefined list of categories and you cannot add