Do you want to make sure your business is represented with all the correct information on both Google Search and Google Maps? Then you are going to want to add or claim your company or service on Google My Business (GMB).
How to Claim or Add Your Business in Google My Business
- Go to Google My Business and if you are not already logged into the Google account you want to manage it with, do so by clicking on “Sign In”. If you don’t have a Google account, which is hard to imagine, you will need to create one.
- Select “Manage Now” in the upper right-hand corner, or there is also another manage now button lower down in the body of the page.
GMB Manage Now to Add Your Listing
- GMB will walk you through the process of either claiming an existing business listing or adding a new one by asking you a few questions. While you are putting in your business name and address, Google will be checking against existing business listings that may match some of the info you are inputting and will pop up suggestions. If you see your business listing, you can start the process of claiming it. If not, just keep inputting the information for your listing.
- While filling out your listing address, you’ll see a box for “I deliver goods and services to my customers.” Only select that if you do NOT have an office or storefront where people can come to you BUT you go to your customers location to deliver your goods or services personally. If you go to them, there is a way to hide your address so it is not show in Maps or Search and you will be able to specify your delivery area.
Do You Have a Storefront or Office Location? Or Do You Deliver your Goods & Services?
- Quick Marketing Tip: While adding name, address and phone number (NAP), be sure to list it exactly as it appears on your website. Have all your citation listings be consistent. If you spell out Street instead of St. on your website, be sure to do the same for all business citation listings. Take my word for it, it’s an important Local SEO ranking factor.
- Business Category. Try different variations of the services or products you offer. Sometimes people only find one, and sometimes several. It all depends so do a little hunting around. Use different keywords people would use to find your services. Some categories will open up or close off certain features of Google My Business. For instance, if you are a Hotel or Resort, the posts feature will be turned off, but you will be able to add all the amenities of the property (plus it opens the possibility for Hotel Ads – but that’s for another time).
- Input your phone number and website address (if you have one). You will then be prompted to finish.
Success! Your listing has been created… but wait, there is one last thing that Google My Business is going to want – Verification. Google wants to make sure your business information is accurate and that only the legitimate business owner or an authorized employee has access to it.
Ways to Verify your Google My Business Listing
Most common is by mail. A postcard is sent to the business address with a verification code you can input once you receive it, which can take up to 14 days. Select businesses will have the option of email or business phone verification.
Once you are verified, there are a lot of things you’ll want to know about how to get the most out of your local business citation listing, so be sure to check out our previous blog on “What is Google My Business” where we break down all the great features you can utilize to get the most out of your business listing on Google Maps and Local Search.