How to Use Google My Business

If you haven’t listed on Google My Business yet, here’s how to do it.

Did you know that 56% of local retailers haven’t claimed their “Google My Business” listing?

Are you one of them?

If so, then you need to keep reading because you’re missing a massive opportunity to promote your business on the world’s biggest search engine.

What is Google My Business?

Formerly known as “Google Local”, this is an unmissable FREE tool to put your company on the map.

We mean literally, as in on Google Maps.

In short, if you sign up for this Google tool, you’ll be able to register your business and crucial business information such:
– Address
– Contact information
– Operating hours
– Reviews
– Services
– Products
– Posts
– Photos of your business/products

Why do you need it?

At this point, you might be shaking your head and asking why you need another platform to market your business.

We get it, you’re doing the whole social media thing by posting on Facebook and Instagram, and you even have your own website.

So why do you need to register with another tool?

Well simply put, because it’s GOOGLE!

Google has 90.46% of the search engine market share worldwide so anything you can do to improve your ranking with them (ie: SEO) is worthwhile for your business.

As a serious business owner, we understand that you have a lot of responsibilities but skipping this step is not one you can afford to make.

The process to list your business is relatively painless (see our warning to South Africans below for the only exception to the rule) and it provides massive benefits to you.

Take a few moments to set this up and you’ll help your business be searchable and locatable on Google by the customers in your area.

Bonus: Google will even help you create a free (albeit limited) website which is perfect for those who don’t yet have the budget to invest in a full-on website.

It’s a no-brainer.

If you’re a local business you simply must be on Google My Business.

In true Google style, they’ve made it quick and easy to set up your listing.

Step 1: Get Started

Visit https://www.google.com/business/

And click “Start Now”

Step 2: Enter Basic Information

You’ll proceed through several screens that ask you simple information pertaining to your business

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Step 3: Complete your registration: Verify your Business

Once you’ve finished your set up, you’ll have access to your new dashboard, but your set up is not 100% complete at this point.

In order to complete your registration, you have to enter a verification code that Google will post to your physical address.

It might sound ironic that Google is using snail-mail but it actually makes perfect sense when you think about it. You need to prove that your business is located at the address you’ve specified and what better way to authenticate this than to receive a postcard in the mail.

Once you receive the postcard, simply enter the code and proceed to complete the rest of the customisable fields in the console.

Warning for South African Users

It is entirely possible that your postcard will not arrive in the mail for many months, if ever.

There is an option to ask that they send you a new postcard with a new code.

To request this, go into your “Google My Business” account, find the “Verify Now” section and then select “Mail Again”.

If your postcard just never arrives, you’ll need to switch gears.

An alternative method to verify your business is to set up a call with a Google representative:

Instead of choosing “Mail again” this time select “Change Method”
Click “Verify now through a live video chat with our operators”
Usually, you’ll receive an email with further instructions whereby you book a video call with an operator

Note that if you choose to have a video call with an operator to verify your business, they will need to see:
– The business owner or any person affiliated to the business
– Business card
– Work-space with tools and equipment or vehicle/truck with logo/registered number plate
– Business signage at the entrance

Ensure you have all the above ready before setting up a video call to verify your business.

Again, once the verification process is complete remember to go back into the dashboard and update all the details. This is so that Google always has the most comprehensive and accurate information about your business.

The Takeaway

If this is the first time you’re hearing of Google My Business then take action immediately to get your business registered!

Once you are registered, be sure to keep your information up to date. By this, we mean that you should access the dashboard every now and then to add articles/posts and pictures.

Google My Business will help your local business be discovered by new customers so we strongly recommend that you use this important free tool.