Claim Your Business with Google My Business
Apart from being a search engine giant, Google is also one of the most important business discovery platforms and review websites today, thanks in major part to products like Google Search, Google Maps and Google My Business.
Why Claim your Business on Google My Business?
Simply put: Most of your customers use Google to find great local businesses.
So you must claim your business on Google and make sure that your business information is up to date and accurate.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is an online platform designed to make it easy to manage your business information across multiple Google services. This is how Google creates and manages your Google business listings.
If you have not claimed your business on Google, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get your business on Google:
How to Claim your Business on Google
Step 1. Visit (Google My Business) https://www.google.com/business/ and sign in or create a Google business account.
Step 2. Once logged in, you can search for your business by name and address by typing in the given search box.
Search results will appear in a list as well as on the map, and from those choices you can choose the business you’re trying to claim.
If none of these results match your business, you can simply click “Add Your Business.” You will then be asked to choose your business type: storefront (restaurants, salon, etc.), service area (retail, delivery, etc.), or brand (products, brands, causes, etc.).
Step 3. The next step is verification.
You will have to verify to Google that the business you’re claiming ownership of is really yours. The verification code will be mailed to you – this takes one to two weeks – and once you’ve gone back in and entered the code into your account, then you’ll finally be able to start managing your local business information on Google. Congratulations!
How do I Improve my Business’ Local Search Ranking on Google?
Here are some tips to help you achieve better local search rankings for your Google business listing:
- Perfect your Google My Business listing: A well-managed listing on Google My Business significantly improves local search performance, with particular emphasis on the “relevance” factor of local search. Business listings that have been claimed and updated on Google My Business — and which also have strong reviews and ratings — are the ones most likely to rank at the top of local search, or even be featured in the “local pack”: a set of three highlighted Maps-based results featuring the most highly ranked businesses based on the factors that determine local ranking.
- Ensure NAP (name, address, phone) and local data consistency: When creating or claiming your business listing on Google My Business as well as on other on-line review websites, local search services, and data aggregators (think Yelp, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), ensure that you provide consistent local business data across the Web. Consistency in entering your NAP (name, address, phone number) information is particularly important. It’s easy to make the mistake of having variations in your business information. For example, if your business location is at “123 Fort Worth Avenue,” then stick to that way of spelling it, instead of a variation like “123 Ft. Worth Ave.” If your local data appears to be unstable, inconsistent, or outdated, Google is less likely to reward your business with a high local ranking.
- Manage your online reviews: Google has made it clear that online reviews have a major impact on your search rankings. More (and better) reviews and ratings of your business on Google as well as on other third-party review sites can lead to higher search ranking — one of the three primary factors influencing Google local search. Managing and responding to reviews also drives engagement with your existing and potential customers. It shows that your business values customer feedback, helping boost shopper confidence and foster consumer trust.
- Make sure your website is helping your local ranking: We can provide a Free Website Audit to make sure it follows all the requirements to rank well on Google. This is known as (SEO) Search Engine Optimization.