Today I am going to teach you about how to set up yourย Google+ Local listings. It is important to have a Google local listing (the red dots on Google maps) because the Google search owns 60% of the market share. In other words this is where people are searching. ย Whether you are a small storefront, a large retailer or in the service industry people are looking for you locally and I don’t know about you but I definitely want to be found.
Step 1:ย Go toย google.com/placesforbusinessย and click on the button that says “Get started for free.”
This will prompt you to login to your Google account. If you do not have an account click on the link below the login that says “create an account” and follow the steps. Once you are logged in as a new user you will be able to start the steps toward creating or verifying a new listing.
Step 2:ย You will search for your business either by the name or by your address.ย *note that Google may have created a listing for your business in the past but you have never claimed or verified it.ย
If you type in your address and Google does not recognize it as a business address, double check the address you entered and select the button that says “I’ve correctly entered the business and address.” That will bring you to Step 3.0. If you typed your business or address and the listing already exist you can claim it! Click on the listing that matches your business and you will be brought to Step 3.1.
Step 3.0:ย In this section you will be able to fill out all of your business information including Business name, address, contact info, as well as category and areas served.ย *note if you are a business that works out of your home you are able to hide your address by selecting “I deliver goods and services to my customers at their location” and deselectingย “I also serve customers at my business address.”
Step 3.1:ย Here you will be asked to verify your listing either by phone or postcard. If you are able to answer the phone number that is listed “Verify by phone” is the quickest, easiest way. If you select the “by phone” option, an automated message from Google will call your number with a 4-digit verification code that you will then enter to be verified. If you aren’t able to answer or it isn’t an option you can verify via postcard. By selecting the postcard option Google will send you a postcard with the pin number within 2-3 weeks that you will need to enter once received for full verification.ย *note that you will need to be fully verified to edit all info on the listing pageย
Step 4:ย Once verified, you will be able to login atย google.com/placesforbusinessย and access reviews, insights, adwords express, and the Google+ page. By selecting the Google+ page you can post social content as your business to Google+, add and update your logo, cover photo, and additional photos. You will also be able to set your hours of operation, connect your YouTube page and edit additional business information.
I understand that this is not an exact science and not all businesses will have the same steps. If you run into trouble or have additional questions about Google+ Local listings comment below or send me an email atย marty@skolmarketing.com.
Best of luck,
Marty McTigue
