Your Web Presence | How to get on Google

You’ve done it!

Your doors are open, you’re doing business, you have a new, beautiful website…but wait! No one can find you on Google.

*SCREECH!*

Stop what you are doing and Google your business!

We’ll wait…

 

Are you on Google? Can customers find you?

If the answer is no – this blog will teach you how to get on Google!

If the answer is yes – have you claimed your business? We’ll tell you how to claim your business profile and how to update your information!

 

One of the biggest mistakes of all small businesses, is they haven’t created and/or claimed their Google listing. You may have the coolest, most unique business on the planet, but if no one can find you, it’s impossible to survive. The best part?  Getting your business listed on Google is FREE!

 

No need to pay extra to get your name in internet lights…we’ll show you the very simple steps to get the most out of your google listing.

 

How to get a Google Listing:

If you are not on Google, at all or if you cannot find a business listing after a thorough search, you need to create one.  Here are some simple steps on how to do that:

• 1 – Create a Gmail account for your business (this is NOT a personal account.)
  • Type into the search bar in Google: Gmail.com
  • If you already have a Gmail account, but need one for your business, click on your picture or icon at the very top, right of the page. Then click on “add” or the plus (+) sign.
  • Click on “Sign In”
  • Click on “Create an Account”
• It is VERY important that all of the information you enter here is for your business. Enter your business information and phone number as directed.  If you are the business owner, you can enter your own birthdate.  Your business phone – is what Google will use to verify it is your business. Make sure you are ready to answer the phone number you list.

 

• 2 – Create your Business in Google: Once you have a Gmail address for your business, you are ready to complete the other required information.

 

• Go to the top of the page and click on the set of 9 dots. (3 across, 3 down). That will open all of the Google apps.
• Click on the little house icon that says “Business Profile”
• Click on “Add your business”

• Google will walk you through the process and will offer the option of sending a postcard to your business to verify, or to call the business, giving you a special code that will verify the business.  Pick the option that is best for you. You will be entering the Google verification code to claim your business profile.

 

You found yourself on Google!  Now what?

If you found your business on Google, congratulations!  Now let’s make sure your information is correct.  Time to claim your profile.

 

If you haven’t told Google that you own the business, or if you have incorrect information, you’ll need to let Google know.  Here’s how:

• On the Google listing, there is a place to “Claim your listing” click on that and follow directions.
• If you see a place that says: “Own this business?” And you don’t think you’ve claimed it, or if the information is wrong, click on that tab. A box will pop up and tell you if it has been already claimed.  More than likely, you haven’t claimed your business yet, and you’ll follow the steps to do so.

 

Now that your Google Listing is Claimed:

Fill in the missing information!

Go back to the little house and click on your business.  You’ll want to fill this out as much as possible. Some key things you really need to enter there:

• Business address
• Hours of business
• Location (double check that they have it mapped correctly)
• Add in your website if you have one
• The correct main phone number
• Biography of the business – just a short summary of what you provide
• Menu (if you are a restaurant)

 

Google offers tips and tricks (as well as their guidelines) that will help you show off your business to the world!  Here is a handy link: Google Guidelines for your Business:

 

PRO-TIP for getting “seen” on the web:

A bonus tip: One of the added perks to being on Google is to ask for reviews. The “bots” in Google love to see reviews!  The more you have, the more likely you are to show up on Google without paying extra for AdWords or other Google offerings. Ask customers to leave a review for your business.

Google will notify you that you’ve gotten a review.  Don’t forget to click on the review in your Gmail and thank the reviewer.

 

 

For additional information regarding Google, how to represent your business on line and how to claim your Google profile, please contact us at the Small Business Development Center – SBDC – Serving Paris area:  Lamar, Hunt, Hopkins, Delta, and Red River counties.