Are you looking to add your business to Google Maps?
Google reigns as the top search engine as it claims a 92% share of the market. The second and other services don’t even come close, which is why you need as much visibility here as possible.
Not only do you need to appear on the search results, but you also need to be available on Google Maps. The search engine makes sure to display your information, including your address and map location, whenever it’s available. This makes your business more accessible to your customers.
You may be asking, “how to get my business on Google Maps?” It’s pretty simple, and you have two options. Keep on reading to learn how to list your business on Google Maps.
1. Add Your Business to Google Maps via Google Maps
You can add your business right on Google Maps without even leaving it. To start, follow the steps below.
Search for Your Business on Google Maps
It might surprise you that your business is on Google Maps already. To check, search for your business on Google Maps. If it shows up, then it’s already listed.
If not, you won’t see any result. You’ll get the option to add a missing place to Google Maps, though.
Click Add a Missing Place
Click the prompt to add your details. Anyone can do this, which is likely why your business can already be on the map without you knowing.
You need to fill in the following details: name, address, and category. We don’t have to tell you what to put in the first two, but we need to remind you that the third is important.
Choosing the right category allows your business to appear under related searches. A food business, for example, will be visible to anyone near who searches for “restaurants near me.”
When you click on the category box, a menu will drop down, containing the most common categories. If you don’t see the most appropriate one, start typing your industry. The results will change as you type so you can choose the correct one.
By doing this alone, your business will already be on Google Maps for everyone to see. However, you won’t be ranking on Google Maps without doing the next step.
Claim Your Google Listing
At the bottom of the “Add a Place” prompt is a link to “Claim this business.” Click that to let Google know you’re the owner of this place.
Claiming your business allows you to update your information as needed. This way, you can stay on top of the searches and get new customers as a result.
This allows you to add your details, such as the operating hours, phone number, and website. These aren’t required for the listing, but they’re a must for any business.
Around 72% of internet users look up a business online to find more information. 78% of those searches result in an in-store purchase.
You want these searchers to find you and get as many details as possible about you. This increases the likelihood of them visiting your store.
As the owner, you’ll also get the chance to respond to the reviews on the business listing. You can create promotional posts and even track your analytics. You can see how many times customers have asked for directions to your business, for instance.
Verify Your Business
Google will first need to verify the business is yours as you claim it to be. Most businesses verify by mail, in which they will send a postcard to your business address.
This should arrive within 14 days, as per Google. While waiting for it, you should avoid changing any details and requesting a new code.
That postcard includes a unique PIN. Once you receive it, you’ll have to input it online.
Make sure to do this within 30 days after requesting the code. You can’t use it after it expires, and you’ll have to request and wait for a new one.
If you change your location, you’ll need to undergo the process again. The code is only valid for the address specified in your business the moment you request it.
There are other ways to verify your business. However, they’re not available for everyone. Verification by phone, email, or Search Console is only available to service-area businesses.
After verification, review your information and make some final changes if applicable. It may take a few weeks for your details to go live across Google.
2. Add Your Business to Google Maps via GMB
Google My Business (GMB) is a nifty tool for business owners. It allows you to add a business to Google. After which, it will appear on the search results, Google Maps, and the Local 3-Pack feature.
Adding your business to Google’s listing gives you more visibility. Your customers will be more likely to find you and they can get your complete information in one convenient place, including your location, address, phone number, operating hours, and such.
That should be enough reason to add your business to GMB. When you register a business on Google, you then have to claim it like in the option above.
Add Your Address and Locations You Serve
You only need to follow the steps in the link provided to get your business listed on Google. It also involves searching for your business first to see if there’s already a listing, choosing the correct category, and adding your services.
After which, you need to add your business’ address. Note that this is an address that customers should be able to visit, like a store or an office.
GMB will also ask you to position the pin on the map for more accuracy. Make sure this one’s correct, as well, so that Google Maps can lead your customers to you without fail.
On the next page, you’ll also have the option to list down other service areas. Fill this out if you serve customers outside your business location.
If you don’t serve customers at your location, such as in the case of service area businesses, don’t forget to click “I deliver goods and services to my customers” after entering your address. Then, click Next to list your service areas.
Verify Your Business
You’ll need to verify your business the same way. Google will send you a postcard, and then you have to input the code in Google My Business. You can request it by clicking Verify Now.
Once verified, your business will appear on Google Maps with complete information. Your customers will be able to request directions to your location, view photos, read or create reviews, and get other details.
3. Import Your Details to Bing Places
Like we said earlier, Google holds 92.04% of the search engine market. On the other hand, Bing only has a 2.7% market share. Even so, there’s always an advantage to increasing your visibility, especially if your target market is also likely to use Bing.
It might also come as a shock to you knowing that Bing pulls in 11% of desktop searches in America. That still equates to billions of searches made every month.
Bing Places is the equivalent of Google My Business. It allows you to show up on the search engine’s local search results, as well, like Bing Maps.
When signing up for this service, you’ll get the option to import your business if you’re already on GMB. By choosing this option, you don’t have to fill in your business details again. You can always edit your information after importing when you need to.
It also saves you time as you will get instant verification. You don’t have to wait to complete the verification process as you did with GMB.
Sync Bing Places and Google My Business
The good thing about this option is that you don’t even have to manage it as closely as Google My Business. If you make any changes in your GMB, you can make it reflect Bing Places by syncing them.
When you choose to import, you’ll also get the option to sync your business data by clicking the check box next to it. You can also choose the syncing interval—weekly, biweekly, and monthly.
On the next page, ensure that the Gmail account displayed is what you’re using for your business. Click “Allow” to go to the next page, where you can choose the location groups you want to import.
You’ll have to verify some details in the following screens, but it should only take around 3 minutes to complete the process. As it doesn’t take too much of your time, there’s no reason not to take advantage of this option.
Do More on Google Maps
After you add your business to Google Maps, there’s still a lot of work for you to do. It’s only the first step, and if you want to further take advantage of Google’s services, you have to rank.
You can rank with SEO and content marketing that leverages your local and online presence. Turn every search into potential leads and then into customers using content: contact us today.
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