2 min read

Google Places – Setting Up Google Local Business Listings

Do you get traffic from local search keywords? Is your local business listed in Google Places? If not then you are potentially missing out on highly targeted and qualified traffic to your website. This posts walks you through creating a basic Google Places listings and hopefully taking you a step closer to getting some qualified and targeted traffic.

Creating a Basic Google Places Listing

Before you create your Google Places listing there is a catch! You need to have registered for a Google account which is totally free. Now this does not mean that you have to create another email account, so don’t worry. You just need to associate your current business email address with Google, this can be done here. Wait! 1 minute before you click that link. When you get on to that page you need to find the “Don’t have a Google Account? Create an account now” section shown in the image below. Click that link and then follow the instructions given, then you will be sent a verification email that you need to accept to complete your account setup. Go to Google Places and hit the Add New Business button. You will then be asked to select your country and enter your main phone number. This will then be checked against Google’s database to see if a company already exists at the current number.

Company Name & Address

Google Places will now present you with the following screen where you will need to need add in your local business company details including your company name, address & phone number. Google Places will also require you to enter your email address for the most appropriate person and website address, although if don’t have a website just check the radio button.

Description & Categories

Now that you have added your local business address you need to add a description about the company and add related categories. The description should describe the company and what services or products are being offered. The categories are where you can choose keywords specific to your local business although one of the five categories needs to be from the pre-set list. When you are thinking of the keywords associated with your local business, think about what your customers/clients would search for. An example would be if you were looking for property maintenance in your local area your might search like this “property maintenance oxford” or “handy man oxford”.

Business Location – Map

Once you have added your local business address, the description and chosen the right keywords for your categories you need to check the map on the right to see if your business location is in the correct place. If the location is in the correct position then scroll to the bottom of the page and hit the submit button. If the location is incorrect then drag and drop the pin to the correct position on the map show. Once you are happy with the location scroll down and hit the submit button.

Validation

You will now be presented with a screen asking you to select how you want to verify your Google Places listing. We recommend choosing the calling option (it’s OK you don’t talk to anyone its automated). Now you have chosen this option and hit the next button you will get a call from Google to the number you entered. Grab a pen and write down the 5 digit number they give you and add it to the “Enter Your PIN” text field and hit “Go”. And that’s it you now have a very basic Google Places listing. Now give it a few weeks and try searching for the keywords that you have targeted in the SERPs (search engine result pages), Google Maps and Google Places to see where you have ranked. This basic guide to getting your Local Business listed on Google Places is a great starting point. Once you have knowledge of where you are ranking in Google Places you can start the advanced optimisation process. If you are looking to get your business listed in Google Places and need some help then contact us here.

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