How to add a business on Google Maps

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 search
Distance: 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 your own category. If you cannot find your category, you may choose a general one that best describes your business.

• Respond to customers’ reviews

Responding to reviews, whether good reviews or negative, is crucial for your GMB profile. Adding relevant keywords in reviews and replies plays an important role in ranking your GMB profile on local ranking listings. The more times a keyword appears in your reviews, the higher chances your listing will rank at the top of local search results.

• Upload Photos and Videos of your business

Photos improve the performance of business profiles more than most business owners and marketers think.

Based on statistics businesses with photos on their Google My Business Profiles receive 42% more requests for driving directions on Google Maps and 35% more clickthroughs to their websites. 

• Posting Updates on your GMB Profile 

Publish offers, events, products, and services to Google Search and Maps through posts on Google Business Profile. Posting regular updates not only lets you engage with your audience but also keeps you fresh on Google.

• Select all the relevant attributes and update your accurate business hours

Businesses can add new attributes, or existing attributes, to their Google My Business. Your business will show up in results on Google Search and Maps when customers search for places with specific attributes

• Proactively Create FAQs

You can proactively add questions and answers to your listings. You can use GMB insights, paid search, or audience data to find out the most frequently asked questions about services or products related to your business. It is vital to regularly monitor the questions and answers on your listings.

At Digit Cure, we can assist you in dominating Google Maps in your area. Our digital marketing professionals will evaluate your current profiles and give you a report on areas where you may make improvements. Get in contact with us to learn more.

Reference:

https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/google-business-profile/optimization/ 

https://digital.com/how-to-start-an-online-business/how-to-optimize-your-google-my-business-listing/ 

https://blog.hootsuite.com/google-my-business/#How_to_optimize_your_Google_My_Business_profile 

https://www.seerinteractive.com/blog/9-tips-to-optimize-your-gmb-listing/ 

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-my-business-products-guide/419137/