Ever wondered how people got their business show up on Google Maps at the top of the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs)? Or have you ever tried to find a company’s address on Google Maps only to find out they weren’t listed?
Google Maps is a fantastic “free” marketing tool, as it makes your company findable in so many different ways. Not only are you at the top of SERP’s*, but you are searchable locally on google maps, have all your business details located in one directory and also allow for reviews via your companies Google+ business page.
In this blog, I will explain the benefits of putting your company details onto Google Maps and give you a step by step on how to get your company listed.
*depending on how many businesses in your area with the same name or business type.
The Benefits of Being Listed On Google Maps
There are endless reasons to why your should list your company. I am only going to talk about a few today.
Local Search for Business
By being on Google Maps means your potential clients are able to be search for you locally. This can improve the foot traffic to your business premises and help your website improve on its local search results.
Connect With Your Customers
Customers can view your company page, and quickly get an idea about your company culture and how you can help them. Not only that, once they have finished with your services, they are able to leave you a review.
Get Directions to Your Company Location
When you are on the road heading for a meeting but you forgot to look up the address, Google Maps can help your customers get accurate directions straight from their phone.
It’s 100% Free Marketing!
Just being on Google Maps boosts your company beyond your competitors if they are not already listed. You are easy to find and your (potential) customers can get accurate and up-to-date information about your companies services and operating hours – all for free! What are you waiting for?
How To Get Your Business Onto Google Maps The Tutorial:
Here is a step by step tutorial on how to get your company onto Google Maps and set up a Google+ Page. If you already have a Google+ Page I will also explain how to merge your verified Google+ Page with your existing page.
1. Get On Google
Click on this link https://www.google.com/business/ and click on the buttom “Get On Google”
2. Find Your Business
You should see a map that fills your entire page, in the search box enter your company name.
Does your company name and address already appear?
If you haven’t already submitted to Google Maps you shouldn’t be able to find it. Then go ahead and click on “I have correctly entered the name and address”.
3. Add Your Business Details
Fill out your business details, make sure they are 100% correct or Google Maps will not be able to send you a postcard to confirm your address.
4. Confirm Your Business Details On Google
Just double check your business details are correct and click on “I am authorised to manage this business” and press continue.
5. Verify Your Business
Now Google wants to send you a physical postcard with a unique code in it. This is to verify that this is your business address and that you can accept mail.
Click on “Mail Me My Code”.
6. Send Me A PostCard!
This is the last step into registering your company on Google Maps. Triple check your address and add an additional contact person if required then click on “Send Postcard.
What Now? Fill In Your Google Plus Business Page
Google will automatically set up a Google+ page for your company. This is slightly different from your personal page, as it has more company information such as opening hours, a link to your listing on Google Maps (once verified) and much more!
Note: If you already have a Google + business page, you can skip this step as you will merge the two accounts once you are verified.
Go ahead and fill in every little detail about your company such as your hours of operation, link your Google Plus page to your website, add contact details such as info@ or skype address.
Don’t forget to add a profile picture, a header image and maybe some other beautiful images to help clients get a visual idea of who you are and what you do. You can now even add a virtual tour – this would be amazing for physical shops, galleries or restaurants!
In fact, I challenge you to obtain a 100% complete profile!
Google and your potential clients will love that!
Congratulations You Are On Your Way to Being Listed On Google!
Once you have completed you Google Plus business page to 100%, you can take a break and wait for Google’s postcard to arrive.
Why don’t you bookmark this page to be able to quickly refer back to it when your code arrives.
Once you have it, log back into your business page and enter the number to verify your location on Google Maps.
Don’t have the time to do it yourself? Talk to us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I already have a business Google+ Page?
Even if you already have a Google+ page for your company, still go through the steps to putting your company onto Google maps. However once you have pressed “Send PostCard” and Google automatically creates a business page for you. Just leave this page as it is, and once you have received your postcard entered your code into the temporary page. It will verify your business page. Now you will need to merge the two pages together. Refer to this help document for these steps.
How to Merge Two Google Plus Pages
Refer to this Google help sheet on how to merge two Google+ business pages.
How Long Do I Have to Wait for the Postcard to Arrive?
The delivery times for Google’s postcard, really depends on your country and your address. I have registered a company and it only took a week and another that took months to arrive.
When Should I Give Up On That Postcard and Order Another One?
The codes lasts only about three weeks, so if you haven’t received the code within that time frame then I would suggest to re-order it.
