Don’t have Google My Business set up yet? Here’s how…

If you’re still struggling (like many local businesses) to figure out how to get your company to show up in Google search rankings, you should give Google My Business a try. While adding your business to Google’s service will certainly not guarantee you show up #1 in the rankings and are flooded with leads, it will add validity to your online reputation. Also, setting up your account will give your clients an easy way to access you through maps, search, and Google+.

The newest version of the platform was unveiled last summer and is relatively quick and easy to get started without much technical know-how. Moving to the new platform will make life much easier as it allows you to manage all of your accounts in one place, add your business details, and get more visibility to your Google+ page.

To get started, simply go to Google My Business and click on the big blue button labeled, “Get on Google”. Now, if you have not previously created your own Google+ page don’t worry, it will be created automatically through this process. If you have a Google+ page you can simply link it to your Google My Business profile.

The first step in creating your business listing is to find your business on Google’s search map. You’ll be prompted to search by business name and address. If your business doesn’t show up, don’t give up hope! Simply add your business details in the next step. Google will mail a verification form to your business address with instructions on how to verify your address.

Once your business details are submitted you will designate the type of business you run. You have 3 options to choose from, storefront (most retail shops fall into this category), service area (for things like Furnace Repair in Portland, Oregon), or brand (Realtors will likely want to choose this). After that fill out all your company’s pertinent information making sure to include your website and a few pictures that highlight your business and presto… you’re done! Once your verification card comes in the mail follow the instructions to be verified. After your business has been verified you’ll have access to many more features in your account such as AdWords Express, Insights, and Reviews.

Now that you have that all taken care of, there’s a little more work to be done. One of the best ways to show up like a rock star is to have plenty of Google reviews. Make sure you are asking clients to review you post closing. You can also get more attention by sharing updates through your Google+ page.