How to create a Google My Business listing

A Google My Business page should be an important marketing factor for brick and mortar business that serves a community. A Google My Business listing is perfect for businesses like dentists, lawyers, optometrists, restaurants, plumbers, and other local service or product-based businesses that could benefit from online discovery.

A Google My Business listing page should be the core element of a local SEO strategy since research suggests that 50% of consumers visit a store or business the day they perform a local search and that 80% of consumers lose trust in local businesses if they see incorrect or inconsistent contact details or business names online, so it’s important that your listing data is accurate and kept up to date.

Sign up for Google My Business

1. On your computer, sign in to Google My Business.
2. Sign in to your Google Account, or create one. Then, click Next.
   • Sign up with your business email domain since this account will be for your chain. Enter the name of your business or chain. You can also select your chain from the suggestions that appear as you type (if applicable).
3. Enter your business’ or chain’s address. You may also be asked to position a marker on the location of your chain’s branch on a map. If your business doesn’t have a physical location but works in a service area, you can list the area instead. Then, click Next.
4. Choose if you want your business location to appear on Google Maps.
   • If you serve customers at your business address:
     1. Enter your business address.
     2. Click Next.
        Tip: If you also serve customers outside your business address, you’ll have the option to list your service areas as well.
   • If you don’t serve customers at your business address:
     1. Enter your business address.
     2. At the bottom, click I deliver goods and services to my customers  Next.
     3. List your service areas, then click Next.
5. Search for and select a business category. You can also choose a more specific category as appropriate. Then, click Next.
6. Enter a phone number or website URL for your chain, and click Finish.
   Tip: You’ll also have the option to create a free website based on your information. It’s recommended that you provide the individual phone number or store page for each location, rather than a single centralized call center.
7. Select a verification option.
   • To verify later, click Verify later  Later. If you’re not authorized to manage the Business Profile for the chain, find the person in your organization who’s authorized and continue the process.