It is also common to choose a business because they had five-star reviews. How many times have you gone with a different business or chose a different restaurant because the one you looked up did not have any of their information online? In order to compete in any market, your business must show up in online search results and on Google Locations.
Claim your existing business location(s)
As a business owner, your first step is to claim any existing business location(s). This will give you the control to update your business information as needed and ensure the information is accurate. This includes your business description, photos, contact information, physical address, normal business hours, any specials hours (i.e., holiday), and a link to your website.
To claim your business location, you will need to prove you are the true owner. This can be done by having Google give your business a call or by having a postcard with a code sent to your work address. If your business does not come up in a Google search, then you can create a brand new Google Location for your business.
Creating your business location(s)
You can create your business Google Location in under five minutes. It is that easy. Be sure you are signed into Google with your email account. This can be a Gmail account or your current business email. If you do not have an account, you can quickly create one with your existing email.
Once signed in, select the My Business icon in the drop down tab. Select the Plus button and start to fill in the details of your business. Save your updates when you're done. Your business should now be on Google Locations. If your business has multiple locations, you'll want to create a separate Google Location for each. This allows those who are searching on the go to find the location in the closest proximity.
Keep your locations fresh and accurate
Now that your business is on Google Locations, you're well on your way to showing up in search results. This is an important and essential channel to market your business. Upload photos of your business, both inside and out. Let people know what your business can offer them. Post any updates or upcoming events to your location's listing by using the Posts feature and let people interact with your business. Also, make sure that all of your business information is correct and up to date.
Google My Business is a free and easy way to make sure your business is at the forefront of consumer decision-making. It's important to be there so you can be noticed!
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