LocalMarketingIO

This post is part of the series Making the Most of Your Google Maps/Google Local Business Center Listing.

So you have a listing on Google Maps, but is the information listed for your business accurate?  Google pulls information from various sources, much of which is good, but much of which is outdated or just plain wrong.  In the past two weeks, I have seen businesses listed with an old business name, listed with an old website, listed with a wrong address, and listed missing key company information such as business category.

If you’ve already added or updated your business information on Google Maps, you can skip to the bottom.  Otherwise, follow these steps:

•  Before you begin, if you don’t already have a Google account, sign up for one here.

• Next, find your business listing on Google and ‘Edit’ the listing – SEE BELOW.   (For help finding your listing – click here)

OR

• Claim your Business – SEE BELOW.  Yes, you can edit your listing without claiming it, but so can everyone else in the world who uses Google.  By claiming your business, you claim your ownership and the exclusive rights to edit it.

• On the next screen, select ‘Edit’ and ‘Continue’

• Thoroughly review and update your business information – SEE BELOW.  All of the fields are not required – if you don’t have a website and/or don’t want to be contacted via an email address, just leave those sections blank. 

• Pay special attention to the description box.  List all of the different services your firm offers.  Think about how searchers might be searching for you. 

• Also pay special attention to the categories – SEE BELOW. Accurately filling these out helps Google classify your business and match you with the best searches.  Try to be as specific as possible, using the Google suggested categories if you can, or if not, writing in your own categories.  Fortunately, Google is very good at drawing inferences. For example, if you are a flooring company and list a specific category such as ‘Wood Floor Installation’, Google knows that you also will be appropriate for the more general ‘Flooring’ category.  Google only allows 5 categories, so be specific with your choices and use your best judgment.

• Finally, after you submit this page, Google will validate your updated business listing by phone (immediately) or by postcard.  Your updated listing isn’t published until you complete this validation procedure. 

• Congratulations! You have a claimed and updated business listing on Google Maps. If you don’t see your changes appear immediately, give it a couple days to update.  Now continue reading to get the most out of your listing.  

Making the Most of Your Google Maps/Google Local Business Center Listing

1 – Are you Listed in Google Maps?
2 – Most Google Map Listings are Inaccurate or Incomplete.  Is Yours?
3 – The Case of the Italian Restaurant that wasn’t an Italian Restaurant and the Dangers of Not Being Correctly Categorized In Google Maps (Coming Soon)
4 – Google Maps Alone is Not a Marketing Strategy.  The Limitations of a Google Map Listing  (Coming Soon)
5 – A Picture is Worth More Than a Thousand Words on Google Maps and other Secrets to Helping Your Listing Stand Out (Coming Soon)
6 – Who is Looking for You?  Using Google Maps Analytics (Coming Soon)
7 – Can I Get to The Top of the Google Map Business Listings (Coming Soon)

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This post is part of the series Making the Most of Your Google Maps/Google Local Business Center Listing.

Are you Listed?

Is your business listed on Google Maps? Google populates its Map listings from various sources, but your business might be a new business, it might have undergone a name change, or maybe you were never listed in any of the directories Google sources its information from to begin with.

To find out if you are listed, try performing a local search for your business category. For instance, if you install carpet and are located in Sudbury Massachusetts, search Google for “Carpet Sudbury MA”. SEE ABOVE.

If you don’t find your business, try some searches in related categories, for instance “Flooring Sudbury MA” or “Carpet InstallerSudbury MA”. If you still don’t find yourself, you may have a listing but are not being shown in the ‘top-ten’. Click on the link at the bottom of the ‘ten-pack’ that says something like “More Results Near Sudbury MA >>”. After this, if you still can’t find yourself, chances are you need to add your business listing to Google.

On the other hand, if you are listed, skip to the second part of this series ’Most Google Map Listings are Inaccurate or Incomplete.  Is Yours?’  If you need to become listed, keep reading.

Adding Your Business Listing

• First, sign up for a Google Account. SEE BELOW – click on ‘Create an Account Now’.

• After completing the account signup process, go to the Google Local Business Center. Make sure that you are signed in and then click ‘Add new business’.

• Enter Your Business Information. All of the fields are not required – if you don’t have a website and/or don’t want to be contacted via an email address, just leave those sections blank.

• Pay special attention to the description box. List all of the different services your firm offers. Think about how searchers might be searching for you.

• After submitting your business information, Google might find an instance where you are already listed and ask if you want to ‘Claim’ that listing. If the listing is indeed for your business, go ahead and claim it. It is a good idea to claim your business records and not have more than one business listing per company name per address.

• Next you will come to a screen where you can add additional details about your business. Enter relevant information including your operating hours, method of payment accepted, and other details. Of particular importance is the business categories that you select – SEE BELOW.

• Accurately filling these out helps Google classify your business and match you with the best searches. Try to be as specific as possible, using the Google suggested categories if you can, or if not, writing in your own categories. Fortunately, Google is very good at drawing inferences. If you are a flooring company and list a specific category such as ‘Wood Floor Installation’, Google knows that you also will be appropriate for the more general ‘Flooring’ searches. Google only allows 5 categories, so be specific with your choices and use your best judgment.

• Finally, after you submit this page, Google will validate your business listing by phone (immediately) or by postcard. Your new listing isn’t published until you complete the validation.

• Congratulations! You have a new business listing on Google Maps. If you don’t see it appear immediately when searching, give it a couple days. Now continue reading to get the most out of your listing.

Making the Most of Your Google Maps/Google Local Business Center Listing

1 – Are you Listed in Google Maps?
2 – Most Google Map Listings are Inaccurate or Incomplete.  Is Yours?
3 – The Case of the Italian Restaurant that wasn’t an Italian Restaurant and the Dangers of Not Being Correctly Categorized In Google Maps (Coming Soon)
4 – Google Maps Alone is Not a Marketing Strategy.  The Limitations of a Google Map Listing  (Coming Soon)
5 – A Picture is Worth More Than a Thousand Words on Google Maps and other Secrets to Helping Your Listing Stand Out (Coming Soon)
6 – Who is Looking for You?  Using Google Maps Analytics (Coming Soon)
7 – Can I Get to The Top of the Google Map Business Listings (Coming Soon)

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While there are a number of things that make up an online presence, perhaps the most basic is a Google Maps Listing, officially known as a Google Local Business Center Listing.   Ten years ago it was critical to be listed in the local Yellow and White pages;  today Google and other search engines are the place consumers overwhelmingly start when they are looking for local services.  

The Local Business Center Listings, represented by the ‘ten-pack’ of listings (SEE ABOVE), is the first thing a person sees when they search for a local business.  If you aren’t listed in Google Maps  (and don’t do any other internet marketing), your business might as well be invisible.  Your Google Maps listing should not be the end of your internet marketing efforts  – there are significant limitations to its usefulness – however  having a listing here is an absolute must and it is FREE.

Do you already have a Google Maps listing?  Are you getting the most out of it? Out of a hundred Google Map business listings, maybe 2 or 3 actually put their best foot forward.  To get the most out of your listing keep reading.

Making the Most of Your Google Maps/Google Local Business Center Listing

1 – Are you Listed in Google Maps?
2 – Most Google Map Listings are Inaccurate or Incomplete.  Is Yours?
3 – The Case of the Italian Restaurant that wasn’t an Italian Restaurant and the Dangers of Not Being Correctly Categorized In Google Maps (Coming Soon)
4 – Google Maps Alone is Not a Marketing Strategy.  The Limitations of a Google Map Listing  (Coming Soon)
5 – A Picture is Worth More Than a Thousand Words on Google Maps and other Secrets to Helping Your Listing Stand Out (Coming Soon)
6 – Who is Looking for You?  Using Google Maps Analytics (Coming Soon)
7 – Can I Get to The Top of the Google Map Business Listings (Coming Soon)

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