Claiming and verifying your business’ Google local search listing is one of the most essential tenets of proactive online reputation management and local search.
As an owner, one of your biggest goals is to guarantee to your customers, that they are receiving the very most recent and accurate information related to your business’ location, hours, and contact information when they search for your business online.
In discovering small businesses such as yours, an incredible 36% of today’s customers do so online. Furthermore, 18% of local searches performed on mobile devices lead to a sale within 24 hours. Thus, providing a relevant and updated sample of information and brand presence is of utmost importance to grant these customers the best impression of your business, while preventing any confusion or conversion opportunities from being missed. Additionally, should your business embody multiple locations, managing these require verification from Google.
You might be asking at this point, “Sounds great! So how exactly do I go about Claiming my Business on Google?” Luckily, this process consists of just three simple steps. To begin, visit https://www.google.com/business/ where you will be able to sign in or create a Google account for your business. Once you are logged in, simply use the given search box to search fo
r your business’ name or address. Once your listing appears, it can be claimed on the search list as well as the map. Please note, in the case that none of the results match your business, simply click to “Add Your Business”, and answer Google’s subsequent question related to your business’ type. After your listing has been claimed, verification is required as the final step. To verify, Google will mail you a verification code (duration is 1-2 weeks), to enter so you can start managing your local business information on Google!
Google My Business is a great platform for small, local business owners to manage their business’ digital presence, while growing brand awareness and optimizing reputation management. Whether people are looking for you specifically or searching for related offerings in your area, you’ll stand out on Google Search, Maps and Google+. Moreover, by adding pictures and responding to reviews, your business will come to life, inviting first-timers through your doors. Through digital management of your operation, customers will readily get in touch with you with just a click! The first step in this marketing journey is claiming your business on Google, so get started today!
To learn more about claiming your business’ Google My Business listing, contact the digital marketing experts at KO Websites, Inc.
Our agency can be reached by calling (510) 276-9902 or by using our online form.