Use Google Maps To Increase Visibility And Traffic To Your Business
These days, everyone has an Internet-connected smart phone. Most of these phones at least have access to Google maps, if not full-fledged Google Maps enabled GPS navigation, known as Google Maps Navigation. For users of these phones, finding a restaurant, gas station, bank, or other type of business is a snap.
Google maps listings have the capability to provide the exact plot of a business, represented by a flag on the Google Maps layout. Selecting one of these flags will give you advanced listing information and options about the business. These include “call now” and “get reviews.”
Getting your restaurant, gas stations, bank, or other business listed in Google Maps via the Google Local Business Center doesn’t prefer much time, especially if you already have a Google epic (Gmail, iGoogle, etc.). For such a itsy-bitsy time investment, The payoff is increased visibility. In addition to displaying your businesses location, Google Maps will also display a button to call the business directly or to catch directions to the location. This will prevent the need for customers to call and derive directions, which will reduce the time your employees devote to answering phone calls providing directions and other information.
When clicked on, a Google Maps listing will show various information, such as your business’s name, address, phone number, email address, website, and description. In addition, a more complex entry will also include the category of the business, alternative locations, operating hours, payment options, photos and videos, and additional details. Additional details can be outmoded to display any category of information you’d like, such as menu items, brands offered, etc.
To begin the submission process, click HERE to go to the Google Business Center. You may be prompted to log in to your Google account, if you are not already signed into another Google service, such as Gmail. Once logged in, click “Add a new business.”
Business Location and Category
From this point, the first page of the process is quite simple. Fill out the information as requested until you come to “Category.” In the category field, categories will display in a drop down box as you begin typing. Don’t build up your maintain category name unless absolutely necessary, as this will manufacture your situation less likely to be found. Instead, acquire an already created category for your business from the suggested results. This is important because Google has already taken the time to determine the most searched and used terms for different types of business. Also, you can specify more than one category for your business, if appropriate, by clicking on “Add another category.” Once you have selected your category, click “Next.”
Service Areas and Set Settings
On the next page, the “Service Areas and Location Settings” gives you the option to plot the service radius of your business, or you can also select areas of coverage based on town or city names, or zip codes.
Hours of Operation
Below the “Service Areas and Location Settings” section, you will collect the “Hours of Operation” section. These fields will allow you to provide your customers with detailed information about when your storefront is open. You can even expend the “I’d like to enter two sets of hours for a single day” checkbox to enter split hours, such as lunch and dinner hours.
Photos
The “Photos” section is overlooked by many businesses, but with the option to attach up to 10 photos, you can give potential customers a feel for your restaurant both inside and out. You can add photos from a website, or directly upload them from your computer. Ensure that any photos feeble here are of the highest quality, and represent your business in the best possible way.
Videos
Like the “Photos” sections, the “Videos” section is often overlooked. Up to five videos can be associated with your listing, so especially if you have shelled out the money to make commercials for your business, place them here. Associating videos with your Google Maps listing will allow you to fully represent the environment and ambiance of your business.
Additional Details
The “Additional Details” section is where you can really add valuable information to your listing. In the “Additional Details” section, you could list your entire menu, products and brands carried, names and phone numbers of employees, or any other relevant information you can think of.
Verification
After clicking “Submit,” you will be presented with the validation page. From here, you can opt to utilize a phone verification scheme, or you can also use the postcard (snail mail) method. It is obviously recommended by this author that you utilize the phone verification method, as it can be accomplished MUCH faster.
Coupons
Once your listing is completed and verified, go to your Google Local Business Center Dashboard, then select the “Coupons” tab and click “Add a coupon now.” You will be able to give the coupon a title and subtitle, details, add an image, establish an expiration date, and determine the locations at which the coupon is valid.
Dashboard Management
Via the Google Local Business Center, all of your locations details can be managed, as well as coupons. Google always adding new features, so check your dashboard often for new options. Storefront locations, coupons, etc. can always be edited or deleted from your dashboard.
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Filed under Small Business Phone Service by on Jan 16th, 2012. 