There’s no question about it, if you’re a small business, you’ve got to be listed in Google maps, Yahoo Local and Bing Local. It’s not debatable. Just do it.
But by all means, take the time to do it right. You don’t want to look like an idiot because you ran through it so quickly. And it’s not something you can pay your twelve year old son Jimmy to do, neither. You don’t have to pay some business $299 to do it, either. That’s just crazy. Take the time on a Sunday night to get it right. It’ll be worth it.
List Your Business Correctly
The first step to getting your business on Google Maps is to visit the Local Business Center (LBC) section on Google. If you don’t have a Google account, you’ll need to sign up for one. Once that’s out of the way, you’ll need to claim or add your business. Chances are, they already know about your business, but have incorrect and very limited information about it.
Take the time to fill this out in detail, particularly the section labeled Description: This is a great place to put in some keywords about your business, list the things you sell or services you offer. Don’t forget to add your website.
Pick the Right Categories
Last, enter as many valid categories for your business as they’ll let you. All five, if they all fit. but don’t just add categories because they’re there.
See that third listing? Hair of the Dog is a bar. They don’t have pool supplies. They don’t have a pool. They have beer. Unfortunately, they don’t have a beer pool, although that’d be pretty damn awesome if they did.
After listing your site, you’ll need to verify the information that you just entered. In the past, Google always sent a postcard to the business address with a pin number for verification. They also called the phone number and asked you for a pin number. From what I understand, the postcard is no longer offered, or is only offered if other methods fail. However they offer to verify your listing, make sure you follow through and verify your site!
For Yahoo, use http://listings.local.yahoo.com/csubmit/index.php
For Bing, use https://ssl.bing.com/listings/ListingCenter.aspx
Related posts:
Beer Pool that would be cool, especially if I liked beer. Segrams 7 and Coke & I’m in!