How to Register a Business in Google
Google My Business has emerged as an alternative to the Yellow Pages and business directories. Its role is to help consumers find local products and services online – and get information about the companies they are interested in. As an entrepreneur, you can use this free service to raise brand awareness, reach more customers and increase sales. The first step is to create and claim your business listing on Google.
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Setting up a Google My Business listing takes just a few minutes – that’s the easy part. What matters most is to create a compelling profile and then use it to engage with your customers and build trust.
What Is Google My Business?
Building a strong online presence is no longer optional. Google processes 3.5 billion searches per day, reports Business Insider. Consumers worldwide use this search engine to look up their favorite brands, connect with service providers and find products that meet their needs. If your business doesn’t show up in local searches, you’re missing out on potential customers and sales.
Google My Business, a free service for local companies, can boost your online exposure and marketing efforts. This tool enables users to manage their business information across Google Search and Maps so that customers can find them more easily. At the same time, it provides valuable insights into customer behavior, such as the number of people who see your listing, points out La Salle University.
With this service, business owners can easily respond to customer feedback and share relevant information. For example, if you’re changing your opening hours, you can update this information through Google My Business. You may also add links to your website and social media pages to drive organic traffic. Furthermore, customers can leave reviews, ask questions and share photos.
Create a Business Listing
Setting up Google My Business is straightforward. Log in to your Google account with your business email domain and then go directly to Google My Business. Enter your company’s name, address, industry, location, phone number and website address. When you’re done, click “Finish” and take the steps needed to verify your business on Google by phone, email or mail.
If you choose the latter option, you receive a postcard within two weeks. Log into your Google My Business account, click “Verify Location,” and enter the five-digit code on the postcard. Note that your company may already be listed on Google. If that’s the case, you need to claim and update your business listing. To do so, log into Google My Business, type your company’s name in the designated field and follow the previous steps to verify your listing.
Next, optimize your business listing to boost its visibility online and make it more appealing to customers. According to Google, companies with complete listings are twice as likely to be considered reputable. That’s why it’s important to provide as much information as possible.
Optimize Your Business Listing
Make sure your profile is up to date and includes recent photos and posts, contact information, links for online orders and other relevant details. Bars and restaurants, for example, can add their menus or link to them. Dentists, physical therapists and other health professionals may add a booking button. If you own a hotel, you can list its amenities, class ratings and other features. Users may also add attributes, such as “free Wi-Fi” or “child friendly,” to help customers get a better picture of what to expect.
La Salle University recommends creating custom content for your Google My Business page. Think of it as a social network. Post updates about your products or services, satisfied customers, upcoming projects, accomplishments and more. Be aware that your posts (except for Events) expire every seven days, so you must keep adding content to keep your business page relevant.
Take the time to engage with your prospects and reply to their comments – just like you’d do on Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networks. Check your dashboard regularly to gain insights into your audience. Use this data to optimize your Google My Business listing, see how it performs compared to other businesses in your area, and fine-tune your marketing strategy.