Google Local Business Listing: Step-By-Step Guide

Walt Goshert — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:54:23 +0000

Your Google Local Business Listing is possibly the single most important thing you MUST-DO to get your local business found online.

Why?

Over 10 Billion unique searches done each month…
… and that’s just in the United States!
Of those searches…
·        40% of queries have Local intent
·        5% use the city and/or state name
·        2% use informal terms, like neighborhoods
·        0.5% use zip codes
All of these searches return results from Local search engines, with Google delivering over 60% of them.
So, if you want potential customers to find you when they’re searching online…

The obvious first place you want to go and claim your online stake is your Google Local Business Listing.

IMPORTANT WARNING:

If you don’t claim your Local Business Listing, Google will attempt to pull your Local business information from a 3rd party site. The information usually is incomplete or inaccurate.
Since your Google Local Business Listing has the power to drive significant targeted traffic to your website and your business, you don’t want your listing information merged with another business. (especially a competitor’s)

Claiming your Google Local Business Listing is simple.

Here are Google’s step-by-step instructions, along with some basic tips you’ll need to know: (look for NOTE:)

1.    If you already have a Google Account, sign in with your email and password. You can also use an AdWords login address and password, if you have one.
2.    Click on Business Solutions on the main Google Page, then Local Business Center.
3.    If you don’t have a Google Account, click Sign up for an account now, or click here to go straight to the sign-up page.

4. On the Local Business Center homepage, click Add new business.

5. Fill out the basic information about your business. This includes:
Company/Organization: This is the official/registered name of your business. NOTE: Make sure your Business Name is exactly as it appears in the physical world, such as how it’s printed in the Yellow Pages. Do not add keywords, phrases, or names of towns. Keep how your Business name is shown consistent.
Address (required): The address should look exactly the way you’d write it on a paper mailing envelope. If your business services several areas, you can create one listing under a PO Box.
Phone Number (required): Be sure to include your area code with your phone number. NOTE: Make sure your area code matches the area code for your location area.
Website: This can be a maximum of 255 characters. NOTE: Add your email address in the prior field, if you respond to email inquiries. Best to use a Business Domain email that matches your website address. Also, the more information that matches up between your website and your Google Local Business Listing the better.
Description: Tell users what makes your business special. NOTE: What do you do? Who do you do it for? Where do you do it? Be concise. Do not keyword stuff with names of cities and towns.

6. Click Next.You’ll now have the opportunity to provide the following information about your business:
Categories: Enter several categories to describe your business, to make it easier for others to find when they search Maps. Google will automatically suggest categories as you type. You can enter up to 5 categories for your business. NOTE: Make sure to select your main part of your business operation to avoid being mis-categorized. Make sure the categories you choose are accurate and describe your business properly. Here John Jantsch suggests a tweak to your Category Listings. Matthew Hunt, a local search specialist, warns about using this technique in the comments. I tend to agree with Matthew. Be careful about using geo-indicators in your Categories.
Hours of operation: Select your hours of operation using the dropdown menus. If you prefer not to specify your hours of operation, keep the radio button selected next to ‘I prefer not to specify operating hours.’
Payment options: Select the checkboxes next to the payment methods that your business accepts.
Photos: Use the photo uploader to add a photo from your computer, or specify a URL to add a photo from the web. You can add up to 10 photos to your listing. NOTE: While there’s no hard evidence that adding photos and videos helps your Local Business Listing rankings, Photos and Videos DO increase click-throughs to your website, calls to your business, and visits. Take time to include them.
Video: To add a video, upload it to YouTube and enter its URL. You can add up to 5 videos to your listing. For help with uploading your video to YouTube, read the article on how to upload in the YouTube Help Center.
Additional details: Use this section to add your own information fields to your listing. For example, parking availability,specific Brands you represent, or whether your business allows pets.

7. You can see your listing as it will appear in Maps on the right side of your screen, and new information will appear as you enter it. When it looks the way you want it to, click Submit at the bottom of the page.

8. Choose how you would like to verify your listing. Choose Phone verification and you’ll receive an automated Google Verification call asking for your PIN number immediately.Click Finish after you’ve gotten your call and verified your listing.

One final NOTE:

After a day or two, visit getlisted.org to check your Google Local Business Listing.

GetListed.org is completely free to use. It was created for Local business owners to learn more about how their business is listed online. You’ll want to Bookmark GetListed.org and check you Google Local Business Listing frequently to make sure everything remains accurate and up-to-date.

One Final Suggestion:

While you’re at getlisted.org, claim your Local Business Listings at the other sites… Bing, Yahoo, Best of the Web…

Make it easy for your prospects and customers to find your Local Business On-line.

Google Local Business Listings are Being Hijacked Again (searchengineguide.com)
Understanding Local Listing Sites as Google Changes the Game (marketingvox.com)
The Rise of Google Local Business Listings (blogstorm.co.uk)
Optimize Your Website For Bing The Right Way (ronmedlin.com)

Walt Goshert » local traffic

Google Local Business Listing: Step-By-Step Guide

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