When you start a new business, Google search engine has very limited info to being with. Among other it has trouble establishing whether your websites or company even exists. This is why verification is an important of online marketing allowing you to create web presence.
If you wish to verify a business, best place to start is Google Maps (previously known as Google Places). This free service is a part of Google My Business and it will help organization get listed through various Google platforms. It will make easier for users to find you and potentially increasing sales- especially if your business is one that customer would want to visit in person. If you want to start on Google My Business, but don’t know how? Then you can follow the 5 basic steps:
STEP 1: CREATE A GOOGLE MY BUSINESS ACCOUNT
Firstly, you will need to create Google My Business account(or login if you have already one), which you can do by clicking here. The whole process is simple and free, so no need to worry as it incurs no cost in future also.
STEP 2: ENTER YOUR BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS IN SEARCH BOX
Once you are logged in, you should be immediately taken to the Google My Business homepage. There you have to check is your company name already exists or not, you can check by entering your company name on search bar. If it appear, you can simply select the listing to claim it. Once you do that, no one post a new listing of your business. This is a beneficial thing, as double listing can create confusion for your customers and it can also hamper the online reputation.
If you’ve found that you are not listed, click ‘create a business with this name’ and you can begin the process of building your business profile.
STEP 3: ENTER YOUR BUSINESS INFO
Now you’ve your business listed on Google My Business, you can begin making sure all the information you include about your business is as accurate as possible. This includes;
- Location
- Phone number
- Business hours
If your information is inaccurate then you could put off your potential customers and you can be called as less professional. You may also lose business from incorrect information. For example, if a customer wants to contact you and he may not find your location then they may take their business elsewhere.
STEP 4: DATA VERIFICATION
You may have to show some patience with this step. Getting verified by Google My Business can take up couple of weeks. However, if you are prepared to wait, you will receive a post card in the mail that will have a verification code from Google on it. Once you receive the postcard you have 30 days to complete the verification process.
And if you’re impatient, don’t worry! Some businesses may be allowed to bypass the verification process. In some cases Google will send a company a PIN, you can return to Google My Business and can easily verify your account. Now, you can allow your business to be listed on Google Map!
STEP 5: CONFIRM YOUR BUSINESS. SET UP A GOOGLE+ PAGE
Setting up your Google My Business Page is the first step in Local Search Optimization.Hence, make sure that someone from your company is in charge of keeping your information up to date. If your hours or location change, update your account. You can also share photos and other essential information about your business that will make you more appealing to potential customers.
BENEFITS OF GETTING A GOOGLE MY BUSINESS:
- You will know the information listed about your business is accurate
- You’ll connect to customers who are looking for local business
- You’ll gain an access of an enormous database of users- over 154 million people use Google Maps each month, which potentially exposes you to a large audience
If you want to know more about it, DIGITAL MANOHAR is here for all your needs. He’ll help you to expand your business and our team will advise you. Contact us for more information!
