Google is the most popular search engine in the planet, with 3.5 billion searches every day. While many local companies realize the importance of ranking high in Google results when potential customers search for them, not everyone is aware of another helpful approach to stay “friendly” with Google and how to claim their business.
What does it mean to claim your business on Google?
Local businesses can use Google My Business to ‘claim’ their business name, location, and other details. This means that if a local customer searches for phrases related to your business, Google is likely to display them your business – along with key details like contact information, directions, a clear link to your website, and a “click to call” button.
What are the benefits of claiming your business on Google?
The following are some of the advantages of claiming your Google My Business listing:
- Because Google has more information about your company on file, it’s more likely to show up as a search result.
- Online users will have an easier time finding information about your company.
- Customers will see your business when they use Google Maps to search for it.
- You have complete control over what information about your company is shown.
- Your business address or name cannot be claimed by another company.
How do I claim my business on Google My Business?
The first step in claiming your Google My Business listing takes a few minutes, and Google has integrated an offline verification method to verify that only you can claim your company. After you’ve claimed your business on Google, you can boost your search results by using the free tools and profile Google provides.
- Visit https://www.google.com/business/
- If you haven’t already, sign in with your business email address and click ‘Start Now.
- Look up your company’s name and complete address.
- You’ll be offered a few alternatives to choose from:
- It’s already on Google if your company name and address appear – Check to determine whether you already have the account’s login information.
- Click ‘Add your business’ to amend the details if your business name shows but the details are incorrect.
- If nothing displays, click ‘Let me enter the entire business details’ to add your company.
5. If you select ‘Let me enter the full business details,’ you’ll be taken to a form where you may fill in all of the pertinent information about your company.
6. Make sure your company has its own category: Enter the nature of your business and choose one of the alternatives provided by Google.
7. If your company is a service rather than a store, check the box that says “I deliver goods and services to my customers at their location” and then follow the instructions to specify a service area in miles or kilometers.
8. Then, to claim your business on Google, accept the terms and conditions.
9. When Google asks you to verify your address by mail or phone, click ‘verify,’ and you have successfully claimed your business on Google.