Have you been wondering why your competitors show up on the first page of Google? So why and, how do you add your business to Google? Well, luckily it is pretty simple, and best of all, it’s free to do! However, let’s focus on the why first.
For starters, Google My Business is a free local marketing tool that your company can utilize. It allows you to fully control how your business is shown on Google. According to a Google report, 70% of businesses are more likely to see an increase in traffic when using this service. As registering is free, and simple to do, there is no reason not to do it and start increase visibility. Especially, with 93% of online experiences starting at a search engine.
Having a verified business on Google increases customer perception and trust. This is because consumers trust Google’s recommendations. Therefore, if your business is verified, more potential customers are likely to click on it. Ranking higher on Google also increases accessibility as 75% of users don’t typically scroll past the 1st page of search results. The more information Google shows about you, the more likely it is that potential customers will trust and access your website.
The Google platform has various marketing tools specifically for businesses. Most are not free, however, they are very affordable. Additionally, these tools seamlessly work together with Google My Business to help you boost your marketing efforts. Some of these tools include Google Ads, Google Analytics, and Google Keyword Planner. By running Google Ads, you can create campaigns to boost your business to the top of search engine results and business search pages.
Luckily, Google has made the process of verifying easy. Simply follow these steps below and you’ll be verified in a week or two.
The first thing to do when signing up for Google My Business is to see if your business already exists as a business listing. If you do, simply ‘claim’ the business and follow the steps to get a verification code. However, if your business doesn’t exist you can easily add your business to Google in less than 10 minutes. Simply fill in the form, providing the following details;
All of these details can be updated again once you are verified, allowing you to always keep information up-to-date.
To get the most out of your business listing you should ensure that you regularly respond to reviews. This includes responding to both negative and positive reviews. Not only does this help build trust but it also shows potential consumers that you are an active business. Continue to add new photos, update service as they change, and add any upcoming holiday hours or details. The more information and detail you can provide, the more likely it is that consumers will select your business.
As you can see, it is simple to add your business to Google. And, by taking advantage of Google My Business, you can not only rank higher but also show that your company is reputable. You can also begin to meet the growing demand for contactless services by listing your services and business details. Showing up on the first page of Google isn’t an easy task, however, setting up your business listing is a great start!
