How to Put Your Business in Google Maps
As a Local Business you are always looking for ways to stand out and get more feet in the door, correct? Correct. Well, there is something called Google Maps that allows for you to have your business up on Google! Cool, right.
Lately, people have been flocking to the Internet to find everything from the top restaurant in an area to a place where they can buy a ferret. Everything and anything is online and that means that your business should be too. Because of the internet, marketing has reaches levels and niches have been developed that were impossible to access only a few years ago.
Various search engines and websites have been created and are now applying different methods to better serve both business owners and customers. Different online applications have made these methods of marketing and searching a very effective way of attracting new clients and returning customers.
One of the current best options is Google Maps
There are more people searching for businesses online than anywhere else and through Google Maps your business will be able to reach the millions of Google Maps users, quickly and easily, specifically with Local Business Center. So it’s important to make sure your business listing can be easily found on Google and Google Maps. With the use of Local Business Center, it is easy to create a great listing; all it takes is a few minutes, some pictures of your business and some captivating copy.
With Local Business Center, you can control your listing and speak for yourself. If you already have a website, your business probably already appears on Google, but even if it does, you should still claim your listing and check to make sure that the details are accurate and thorough. Your improvements will start appearing as soon as you verify them through the Local Business Center.
So how do I do this?
- Go to http://www.google.com/local/
- Type the name of type of search you want to be classified in. “dentist Buffalo, NY”
- The google maps listing will pop up and you can see all the businesses
- Fill in the information
The cool thing about this is that this is saving you a TON of money on getting ranked on the search engines. It’s basically like being listed FIRST in the Yellow Pages back when the Yellow Pages were effective for advertising (You’re not still using the Yellow Pages are you?)
After filling in the location make sure to fill in your main phone number. Google will contact you through this number for verification. They will call within 5 minutes so be ready.
If you have a website address, key it in with http:// at the beginning. Then you should write a business description that emphasizes what your business is all about making your business unique or better than your competitors. You want to have captivating copy with this that will entice a viewer to want to come into your door today. Create a clear call-to-action or a coupon for coming today.(Tip: have them say “I found you on google” for a 15% off deal. That way you can track it)
Next step, include your hours of operation and payment options. This information is useful for both repeat and potential customers. Then you should add more details to make your business stand out. You can also add relevant information that doesn’t fit anywhere else. Information such as delivery zone, house specialties, return policy, or anything else that you would like to share. In marketing, you would want to catch the attention of as many potential customers as you can.
You can also add an image to help your listings stand out in Google Maps search results. You can use snapshots, logos and images. If you have videos on YouTube, you can place them directly in your listing as well.
Finally, verify your listing, if possible do it by phone. If you have easy access to the phone number on your listing, choose phone verification. You can either choose to be called now or in 5 minutes. Google will call you, and once you enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN), your listing will be immediately verified. A Thank You notice will appear in the window
If you are not near the phone or have a voicemail system, you should choose postcard verification. Google will send you a card with a PIN for you to enter before mailing it back. But it will take a coupe of weeks to complete.
If you would like us to do this for you, we can.
Contact Chris at 607-425-1270 with your information and it will be a $200 charge. Chris will come to your business if you are near Buffalo, NY for pictures and to help create a simple video as well as handle writing the words to cause your viewers to come to your store.
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