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How to Claim Business on Google

Digital marketing manager Google My Business Upholstery Listing

Level: Easy.
Time: 10 Minutes (Plus a few days to verify)

A Google My Business account is fundamental for businesses that have a physical presence (either a brick-and-mortar location or by servicing an area). A Google My Business account allows potential customers to easily find you when performing Google Searches for businesses in an area. Here you’ll learn how to claim business on Google and to verify your business. Ultimately, you’ll learn how to get business on google maps so you won’t lose all your customers to other competitors in your local market.

Goal: How to claim business on Google

Learn how to claim business on Google and create a new account on Google My Business.

Ideal Outcome

You successfully gain access to manage your business account on Google My Business.

Prerequisites or Requirements

Google sends a physical postcard to verify that the business really exists — even if this business doesn’t offer a location to service customers, you will need to provide an address where Google can send this postcard.

Why this is Important

A Google My Business account is fundamental for businesses that have a physical presence (either a brick-and-mortar location or by servicing an area). A Google My Business account allows potential customers to easily find you when performing Google Searches for businesses in an area.

Where this is done

In Google My Business.

When this is done

Only once—the first time you set up Google My Business. 

Who does this

The business owner/manager or the person/agency local digital marketing/SEO.

How to claim Google Business and request the Google My Business postcard

How you create the Google My Business account depends on whether you’re creating it for your own business or for a client (as is often the case for marketing agencies).

Screenshot of Google My Business signup page

1. How to setup a Google My Business account for your own business

If you’re setting up a Google My Business account for your own business:

a) Visit the Google My Business site and click “Manage now”

b) Next, sign into the Google Account you will use to manage this business account

how to get business on google maps, signup page

2. If setting up a Google My Business account for a client

a) Log into your organization dashboard, and go to the “Businesses” tab

b) Make sure you’ve selected the right location group for this business and click on “Add a single business

How to claim business on google

3. Google will give you two options:

a) If the business doesn’t have a Google My Business account (this will be the case for most people), you can create a new business.

google business website instructions

If you already have a GMB account

b) If the business you want to manage already has a Google My Business account (this won’t be the case for most people), you can claim it by searching for it and selecting it from the dropdown.

google my business website

4. Next, type the name of the business and hit “Next”

how to claim a business on google

5. Pick your business category and hit “Next”

add business to google maps

6. Next, you will need to choose whether to add a location to this business or not:

If you have a physical location where your potential customers can go (e.g. store, office, etc), you’ll select “Yes”

how to claim google business

Next, you’ll need to add the full address of this location:

If you have a physical location where your potential customers can go (e.g. store, office, etc), you’ll select “Yes”

how to get business on google maps

Service Location Options

[Optional] If you also provide services or products outside of this physical location (e.g. you do deliveries or remote visits), you can add a service area in the next screen by selection “Yes, I also serve them outside my location”

how to get business on google map

If you choose this option, you’ll select the service area next

how to add business to google maps

If you don’t have a physical location where your customers can go, but rather you service customers in an area (e.g. wedding photographer, locksmith, painter, etc), you’ll select “No”

how to claim a google business

Next you’ll have the option to select the area where you offer your services or products

how to add business to google maps

7. Local Business Details

After setting up your business’ address or service area, you can provide your phone number and website URL to start completing your business profile (although both are optional and you can add them later if you prefer).

how to register my business on google

8. Success!

You’ll see a success screen next.

register business with google

9. Google My Business Postcard

Next, Google will need to verify this business is real by mailing a postcard to the address provided, containing a unique verification code. Enter the name of the person who will receive the postcard in the mail, make sure the address is correct, and click “Mail”

google my business postcard

10. Google My Business Postcard

Google will send a postcard which usually takes a few days to arrive.

how to add my business to google maps

How to verify Google Business

  1. You will receive a postcard that looks something like this.
  2. Visit the verification URL: http://google.com/verifymybusiness
  3. Enter your verification code and hit verify
google maps my business

Next Steps

Now that you’ve learned how to claim business on Google, verified your Google My Business page for your local business, and how to get business on google maps, to fully gain the benefits you’ll need to optimize your listing.

Optimization will allow your listing to show up in the Google Local Map Pack when your customers are searching for services like yours in the area. They’ll be able to get all the essential information such as your business reviews, address, telephone number, website address, and even directions to your local shop.

Once your Google My Business listing is optimized you’ll see a significant boost in website visits, phone calls, and visits to your store if you have a retail location. Ultimately, all these touch-points will lead to brand trust and more sales.

To see more facts and figures on how Google My Business can help your local business see the next module.

20 Ways Google My Business
Can Impact your Local Business in 2021

*Facts and Figures are based on 2020 data analytics for local business searches on Google

There are approximately around 40-60 billion searches occurring on Google in the US each month.

According to the Pew Research Center, 91% of adults use search engines to find information. Mostly young, college-educated people with 54% saying they use search more than once a day.     

46% of the searches on Google have local intent. In fact, they represent billions of high-value searches for local businesses and services. Local intent searches are typically have a much higher intent to purchase, and therefore, a higher conversion rate. The likelihood of that local search resulting in an in-store visit increases 35% when considering mobile users.

The Google Local 3-pack appears in 93% of searches with local intent. However, the three pack, was reduced down from the seven pack to accommodate mobile users.

35% of product searches start on Google. On average, people are more likely to make a purchase through Google in 5 days or less. This is probably due to the fact that Google searchers know exactly what they’re looking for.

Approximately, 8% of search queries are phrased as questions. This data was based off of the typical phrasing (Who, What Where, When, Why, How) as well as “am” and “is”.

“Near me” Google searches have doubled in the past year. Being visible on Google search with a higher ranking means it’s much more likely that people will stop into your store when searching for a local business. In conclusion, optimizing your local Google My Business listing is crucial to get customers who are ready to buy.

86% of people look up the location of a business on Google Maps. One of the most important things you can do for your smb marketing is to claim your Google Business Page. This is how Google will rank you and it’s how your customers will find you.
Typically, your business page accounts for 14% of your ranking power, so it’s important that you claim your business and get your information up to date.

Approximately, 72% of consumers that perform a local search visit a store within 5 miles of their current location.
Local searches have skyrocketed in the past few years. If a person is able to find your business on mobile, they’re much more likely to stop in and check out your business in person.  

Online reviews influence 67% of consumers. When consumers were asked how important reviews were when making a major purchase like an appliance, smartphone or car, more than half admitted that online reviews were very important.
Similarly, the data went on to reveal that a negative review can have detrimental effects on your business. In fact, four or more negative articles on your product could cost you up to 70% of potential customers.

18% of local mobile searches lead to a sale within one day. Being able to rank locally on Google can have a direct impact on your business.
Today, many people are searching for local businesses and are much more likely to visit the stores that come up in a Google search. Getting your business up and running on Google My Busines is critical to gaining prospective customers.  

50% of local mobile searches are looking for a local business address.
When searching for a local business on mobile, more than half of the people surveyed considered the local business address to be the most important piece of information they were looking for.

Approximately, 78% of local mobile searches result in offline purchases.
The most common reason for a local search is to find a specific business. The second most common reason is to find a business that sells a specific product or service.

This means that though most searchers have a specific business in mind, many are actively looking for a specific product or service and are open to local businesses.

Typically, 58% of people search for a local business on their smartphone daily.
When searching for local business, customers are much more likely to convert to a business if the company addresses their needs or questions at the time of their search. Having a mobile site that comes up in a Google search is essential for optimizing your page and growing your customer base.  

About 50% of local searches on mobile lead visitors to a store within one day.
This is likely due to the fact that these searchers are in their final stages of making a purchase and ready to buy. After reviewing and researching, consumers are ready to move forward with a purchase. A local business that comes up in a search is more likely to reap the benefits of the final purchase.

Approximately, 61% of mobile searchers are more likely to contact a local business if they have a mobile-friendly site.
Mobile-friendly sites are not only easily found by mobile users, but they’re also more likely to convert customers. A site that is not mobile-friendly can hurt business and give away potential customers to your competitors. Today, customers are far less likely to deal with a business that has a poor website.

Smartphones and tablets are used by 60% of Americans to search for local products and services.
According to eMarketer, there were 81.1 billion local search queries conducted on a mobile phone. Americans are using mobile to search and research products before purchase, making mobile-friendly sites essential for converting customers.

According to Brightlocal, approximately 75%  of people age 35-54, read reviews on mobile browsers.
There has been a dip in the number of people using a desktop to read reviews. People over 55 are more likely to read reviews on a computer while people 35-54 are using mobile browsers.

Only about 64% of small businesses have an online presence. This presents a great opportunity for growth to businesses that operate in markets with competitors that are not yet online.

Claim Your Free
Google My Business
Profile Audit Now.

Take the first step in effective online marketing by diagnosing your Google Business Page, and see how you can fix and improve your rankings. Click on the button below and accurately fill out the form to get a FREE REPORT sent directly to your inbox.

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