Local Map Listing

Putting your business on the Map: The Power of Local Listings

Google Maps is one of the most helpful and convenient features on any of our smarts phones today. When someone goes to a new place, or area in the US, and are searching for a nearby business, often times Google Maps is the place to go. Google Maps provides the user, or viewer, with the ability to find a type of business, while also being able to compare it with another business around them. This means that most people, if not all of them, are making their choices on where to go all based on the results that pop up in their Google Map Search, or Google business profile account. This opportunity to connect with a customer, or customers, through Google Maps is not only practical, but also trustworthy.


You can now compare a business to another business in the same field, side-by-side. You can compare rating and review stars, and also comments, and business hours of operation. You can see their physical address, check out business photos, and they should also have their business website url there too. Google maps, also known as Google Business Profile, or GBP, is a great way to find a local business.


Everyone, by this date in time, should know what a Google business profile listing is. With all the information above about the business's listing, you can sort of get the picture. So imagine this; You have never been to Greenville, SC before and you are looking for a restaurant that was close to where you were staying. This is assuming you already had a hotel to stay in, or you more than likely have already went on Google Maps and found a hotel with a good review to stay in.


What you may not realize here, is that there is more than meets the eye! There are specific algorithms that determine what Google Maps shows at the top of each result for you. This is where CM & CM Marketing LLC comes in with a team of skilled, talented online marketing guru's to make sure that when people are looking for search results for a business like yours, they find it right near the top in plain view. This is a crucial component to the modern market, and as well you may be surprised by how much business you are currently missing out on with a Google business profile on Google Maps set up, or maintained.

A lot of people ask the question, "Is a Google business profile Free?" And the answer is, YES! A Google business profile is absolutely free, but it is only available for local businesses, hence having local listings. Google does not make business owners pay for a GBP, but rather freely allows you to make a local listing. The only thing is, you have to be verified, which can be daunting to some.


For a personal google account, it is fairly easy and requires little to no verification code access. Maybe something sent to your phone through text will land you an account. But for a Google business profile, you have to be verified a step further to assure you are, in fact, a local business. A Google business profile will ask you to perhaps send a postcard to verify your business, or even a live video that captures three (3) things they are looking for:

Is Google Business Profile Free?

Proof of

Residency

This requires you to show your address in some way, or some how, by showing Google you have the correct address through a bank statement, or some sort of bill that is in the business name, such as utilities or trash pickup.

Proof of Business Equipment

This requires you to show your office for your business and/or other items that may be required for your field of service. Perhaps you are a contractor and you have a trailer with lots of tools, and possibly a car that is vinyl or painted with business logo something of that nature.

Managing a GBP for small businesses

Proof of Business legitimacy

This requires you to show any licensing for what you are trying to get verified for. Something like a state licensing/registration that allows you to do business in the local area. This paperwork should have the business name and address on the paperwork.

Local listings are only for local businesses

Local listings are only for local businesses! If you are an average person with just a personal account, you cannot have a GBP. You may possibly slide through if you tried to land a listing if you are a Digital Landlord, and if you are interested, click the link to learn more about making Five (5) figures or more a year while working 2-3 hours a day from anywhere in the world!


If your not a Digital Landlord though, you have to be a local business to obtain local listings. Even if you are a local business that does not have a place where people can come and buy stuff, there are online only businesses that may not have a physical location where people can visit, but can still obtain a Google business profile.

Always Follow Google's Guidelines

The #1 rule to a GBP is simple, Always follow Google's Guidelines.... I cannot tell you how many times I have seen people get suspended, or denied a GBP due to not following the guidelines of Google! I mean come on, who wants to ready all that information about your business GBP and what you can and cannot do.... This is something we, here at CM & CM Marketing LLC, have done and, by now, memorized the algorithm. If you need a Business Profile set up and you do not want to go through the hassle, we would love to help with creating a GBP for your business, and managing it as well to keep you on top of your competition.


The thing is, Google is pretty strict when it comes to landing a business profile! But than again, you do not want people pretending to be a business, get found above the other real local businesses on search results, and then not follow through.... This way people cannot just add whatever they want to the Map Pack and people get accurate search results for what they are looking for, without getting spammed!


Make sure you are a legitimate business that is located in that area. If you are not a legitimate business for that local area, try going on social media accounts, such as Facebook, and try some ads or other post related options to get whatever it is your servicing out there. Maybe you are trying to start a business and get it off the ground and you want to make some money first before you start an LLC or INC, and if you are trying to start your own business and cannot get off the ground with it then click here for our Complete Guide to starting your own business.

How to Create Your Google Business Account

If you are looking to start a business, this is not the first step, Check out our Complete Guide to starting your own business. If you, on the other hand, have started a business and you have all your information about your business that is necessary for a GBP, than the first step is to go on Google, which can be done on your computer, laptop, or mobile phone and/or tablet. Go to the top right corner of the search engines of Google and click the nine (9) dots that make a square. Next, you will then click the blue building icon that says, "Business Profile".


These are the prompts Google will ask you for:

  • 1. Fill Out Your Business Name

    The first thing you must do, once you are in the Business Profile section of your Google account, is type in the name of the business you are trying to get a business profile for. After you put in the name of the business, Google will auto fill other names of businesses to give you options of other businesses that have an existing business listing. If you are trying to claim a business listing that is already made then you will click on the existing business. If your business is not listed, you will proceed to the next section.

  • 2. Business Category

    The second thing you must do is fill in the category your business will fall under. This is simply done by offering the primary service you are offering to the public. For example, if you are a digital marketer like myself, you will be under the category of "marketing". Digital Marketing is not one of the options, so marketing is the next choice. Always remember that this category relates to local SEO practices and this category should be relevant keywords for your search results.

  • 3. Select your business location

    Next, Google My Business will ask for your location, or street address. If you are a local business and you have a building where consumers can come and shop, that is the option you will choose. There are two (2) other options available to choose from; a service business, such as a plumber or HVAC, who comes out from house to house and offers services to the consumers, or an online only business, which is like an ecommerce website, or like me, digital marketing.

  • 4. Specific Services You Offer

    Specific services you offer will be the stuff that you service for you business. There will be a drop down menu with options to choose from for your services. These services should by keywords that will be helpful information to Google Search results. If you have physical products then You want to make sure to list products on here that you are selling. To sell physical products make sure that you choose the section where it asks if you sell any physical product, and make sure that those products keyed in for search terms reasons. You are looking for a target audience and you want to make sure that you dot your "i's" and cross your "t's"!

  • 5. Choose Your Service Area

    Google Search will have bots, or spiders, crawl your information and verify your account. Things to think about when you are creating this Business Profile is to make sure all of your business information is credibility accurate. Google my Business will suspend your account, and do so quickly if things do not line up, and the likelihood of it happening is about 50%! One main thing Google Search will look for is to see if your service areas meet the requirements of your information.


    When you chose the option to put in your nap information, or Name/Address/Phone numbers, you answered a question about address. Now if you choose service locations that are too far away, Google Search says 2 hours, then you will be flagged and then suspended. Make sure to put your service area closer to home than you think , even if it is an online marketing business.

  • 6. Service Areas

    After giving some thought to your service areas, make sure that if you want more organic traffic coming through, you need to put important information down. Do not just put Anderson, or do not just put Oconee. Make sure, if you want to gain more customers, to use the resources around you. Search engines will look at all of your information and choose to rank you accordingly. Try to put the entire search phrase out, for example, Anderson, SC, or Seneca, SC instead of the county.

  • 7. Add Photos

    You will be prompted to add photos or pictures of some kind to your business profile. Make sure to us a photo of your business logo. When Google My Business asks you to add photo, also make sure that you add a photo that appears to be relevant to your services. Your cover photo should always be your company logo. As a reminder, make sure all of your business information is relevant and consistent. Google My Business will review these your photo to make sure it is appropriate before actually positing it.

  • 8. Add your business information

    Adding your business description and business information is the next step. Solid tips for this step would be to make sure your nap information is 100% accurate. If Google My Business can find your information on the web and it is not the same you will get suspended. The suspended process can take days to fix. The benefits of your information being accurate will benefit you and your business the more accurate it is. You have the control to make sure your contact info, such as your email and contact number are accurate, along with your business address and name. Additionally make sure that you put any relevant keywords in this section as well. 

  • 9. Write a Business Description

    Along with business information, your business description is just as important information as the rest. This is your chance to tell the public, in a short and sweet message, about what you do as a business, and try to rise above your competition with this "hook", if you will. Write something that will attract the customer and cause them to be intrigued and want to click on your page. Make sure to put as much content as you can for your page along with your website and any social links that you can.

  • 10. Verify your street address

    Google Business Profile will ask you to verify your phone number and mailing address. This step is easier than the rest of them. Google Search will ask you to send a verification code and then respond to this code through your mobile device. Once you have done this step you are now verified to apply for a Google business profile account. Don't get too excited, because there is one more verification necessary to be visible on Google Search.

Verify Business

To obtain a business verification, you could get lucky! At the end of the Business profile, you will be asked to verify your account through phone, a postcard, or a business video. One or all of these option will be available to you depending on the items you chose during the set up process. The easiest options are the phone call or text, and the postcard to your physical address. If you do not have a physical location, then you will more than likely be asked to do a business video. These are a pain in the butt, and they are also very finicky. The advanced settings of this option will require you to video some things that are needed by your Business Profile and make sure not to capture any faces or sensitive documentation or the video will not upload. This, as you can already tell, can get frustrating. Though the reward after you are verified is a Google Business Profile that can be visible to the public on Google Search.

How to optimize your Google My Business profile

To further more optimize your Google My Business Profile, make sure that your business hours are accurate and up to date. On your business profile, make sure that you have as much information about your business as you possibly can. This is your online business card. You can put down information such as your opening date, or you can edit profile information for google services. Make sure to put down any holiday hours you may be closed and operating hours. Make sure to add any special features that are available and edit products according to what your business offers to the public. If you are an online store, make sure that Google Shopping is an option as well.


Things like an action button will improve a response from customer reviews, or someone trying to reach you for your services. Making it easy for contact info to be seen and some way they can reach you is key. Adding messages to your Business Profile is a good way to ensure the customer can get in touch with your business.

Make sure to post business updates, and have your physical locations available for Google Maps results. For potential customers to find you when they are looking your business up on their mobile searches, you want to make sure you can be found. The more organic traffic you have, the less money you have to spend to advertise. More traffic equals more customers, which equals more sales and profits.

How do I access my Google My Business page?

If you are trying to figure out how to access your Google My business page, then try going on the Google Search Dashboard at the top right corner of chrome, or you can download the business app and access your account there. In both of these options, you are able to optimize your account and make any changes necessary to your business. Just remember that Google Search will want to process any information you put on your account and they will suspend you, even once you have been verified if your information seems deceptive or inaccurate.

What Are the Benefits of Google My Business?

There are many different benefits when it comes to having your very own Google Business Profile for your business. If you are not a business owner, then you will not be able to get a Google Business Profile. The idea of the Business Profile is to help a business get in contact with their customers, or target audience. By claiming your GBP, you are able to connect with these customers easier and in an organized area.


Things that a GBP can be helpful with is creating a post, different business offers, and advertise a business event. Make sure to edit profile so that customers can see what is going on and get your brand out there. Get the public involved in your business so they can see what they are missing. Make sure to post about any promotions of special offers, an event, and updates to keep customers in the loop.


Responding to customer reviews is another great reason why a Business Profile is something every business should have. The customers can leave online reviews, and the more reviews the better your GBP will look. That is if they leave reviews, or post positive reviews... Always remember a customer can post positive and negative reviews on your business account. You should always remember to conduct business accordingly so that you do the best job you can for each and every customer so that your customer reviews are consistent and you become trustworthy.

Consumers have the ability to contact the business directly when you have a business profile, or if you have a business app or the Google Maps App. This is an easy way for the business to connect with the audience they are targeting. This will land more jobs and sales due to the convenience of the matter. Make sure that your messages are turned on through the Google Maps App for your Business Profile so that potential customers can message you. If you have the messages turned on but you do not give a response to the customers, Google will eventually turn this option off automatically.



Lastly, you can post and answer questions to things that may be frequently asked. You can save time by answering questions that you think may be helpful to the potential customers, or returning customers that my need some help. This will save you time and effort knowing that your audience will be going on your Business Profile and they can engage on your page. Customers are even able to give a response to these questions themselves.

Increase Visibility on Google Business Profile

If you are looking to increase your visibility on your Google Business Profile, then first make sure you are verified so that you will even be visible to the public. Once you are verified on your Google Business Profile, you are ready to reach the public and targeting your audience will be much more easier for organic traffic.


The first thing you want to do is make sure that you edit profile for Google Search results with local SEO factors that will make sure your Google My Business will be found on search engines. For better visibility, once claimed, your Google Business Profile should have consistent relevant keywords that will increase the chances of getting Google to show you on search results. Searchers will type in a word, or phrase and your goal with local SEO practices are to be found, or have Google show your results once searched.


Make sure your primary services are these relevant keywords. Make sure that you have your website and the correct url is present for searchers to click. Make sure your nap information, hours, and other messages are correct. Make sure your content and categories are correct, along with any locations. If you deliver or send out deliveries, make sure that the searchers can navigate through your GBP and find what they are looking for. The more organic traffic you can get, the less you have to pay for ads or anything such as that.

Build trust with Google Reviews

Building trust, or being trustworthy, is one of the hardest things to do, business or no business. Also, building trust with a business is possibly just as hard as making a new friend, and then becoming best friends... Being a business, you want to make the consumers feel like they are #1! They are the very thing that drives your business's profits and sales. A business's idea is the very process of offering goods to consumers for a profit in return.


To accomplish this act of trustworthiness, you want to connect to your customers. Improve your Business Profile so that you can receive a message, or messages. When customers leave reviews, make sure to give a response. Google will see these actions being taken, and furthermore rank you higher in the Google Maps Business Profile. By being more interactive with the community, you will gain ranks and improve your Google Search results by doing so. This will, in turn, increase your credibility and also help others to find your business on Google. Responding to a review will do more than you think, so show interest in your customers because they are the bread and butter of a company.

Local Listings Management

Getting on the local listings is a major necessity for your business. Having a Business Profile is key to being visibility noticed on Google Maps. Make sure to download the Google Maps App if you would like to take this on the go and use your smartphone while you are on the go. This is the first thing potential customers will see, right after the paid ads of course. Before any of the local SEO websites, who have made their website and used great SEO practices to rank to the top of Google Search, they will see your Business Profile.


Ranking a business profile is totally separate from ranking your website. Backlinks are used to rank a website, but citations are used to rank your local listings. You have to ability to rank first place (1st) for both the website aspect of Google Search, and the ability to rank first place (1st) for Google Maps.


If you do not know how to gain citations, they are the nap information for your business and they are distributed across the web through business directories. If you want to get found in the top three (3) on the local listings, contact us today or check out our Complete Guide and we can help you learn how to do this yourself. Just remember, if yo do not have time we can always be retained and do the work for you.

Manage your online business information

Make sure you are managing your Google Business Profile often. Once a week make sure to post something on there about the business and continue to gain authority on the web. This increases your credibility each time, showing both Google and the public that you are in business and you are connected with your business and that there is continuous growth. 

How to Change an Address on Your Google My Business Profile

When changing your address on your Google Business Profile, you want to make sure two (2) things are right first. Number one being that your address is accurate and it is the correct address for your business. Adding a location, or address, that is not correct will result in your local listings to be suspended. Second, adding an address or location that is already in use with another business will also land you a suspension due to deceptive content. Getting an account out of suspension can be a process that you do not want to experience. It will take valuable time off your online presence and then you are flagged for future suspensions. Believe me, they do not mind suspending someone and they have several, I mean several, reviews about how people and other business's are not happy.

How to Claim an Existing, Unverified Listing

There is a small chance, and it does happen, that Google Maps will notice your business and create a Google Business Profile for you. If this does happen, then you will notice once you try to create a business profile that there is a business already listed. The process to claim this business is easy and you will just click the business name and proceed with the prompts.


You will want to provide any information necessary to prove you are the owner of this business, and then continue as normal with setting you the business profile. Make sure to fill out any category that is left out and claim the managing of this business profile. You will then be prompted to wait three (3) days before you gain access to this local listings, and if no one disputes your request, it is yours! Just remember that you will have to verify the account still with your phone number and address. Then you will have to further verify your account through a business video, or other options that may be available.

How to Request Access to a GBP Managed by Someone Else

If you are a business, and you want a fantastic team, such as CM & CM Marketing LLC managing your GBP, then let us know. We want to make sure that your local listings are optimized for success! We would have to go onto Google Maps dashboard and request managing of your GBP. Google will then prompt you to allow access for us and BAM! We are in and able to take care of your business the way it should be taken care of. We are able to rewrite any content necessary, and add photos and other changes to help improve your business profile for Google My Business.

Google Is Always Making Changes To GBP

Google is always making changes to Google My Business. Make sure you change with it. Download the Google Maps App and stay up to date on all the new technology and updates that are coming out through Google's dashboard. Potential customers want to see a business that is growing with the future and you want to grow, right? Then make sure your local listings are always up to date.


Make sure your business description is accurate, along with business hours of operations. Edit profile business photos and make sure local SEO is playing a factor when doing so. Make sure you are always responding to a review, positive reviews or negative reviews. Make sure you ensure that your categories are correct and add any content or locations that you service within a two (2) mile drive one way.

How to increase sales and profits for Your business using your GBP

Are you looking for a new opportunity? Are you looking for a way to change your business and find new ways to gain sales and profit? These things may already be your top focus to try and take advantage of these opportunities, but how do you do it? Well the internet is the way to go! And the top two (2) things you need for the internet are a Google Maps local listings, and a website. Both of these things are the key ingredients to a successful online presence and CM & CM Marketing LLC can get you there with top quality SEO attached to each of these items to help get customers to find you over the competition and boosting your online presence on Google.


There are some overlaps with Google and Google Maps, but overall there is an algorithm that will get you ranking at the top! Make sure to maximize your visibility, edit your profile with special features, add photo or video of your work, edit products for google shopping if available, and ensure any step that may need any changes done to further increase visibility and help potential customers find you easily.


How this boosts your sales


How does all this boost sales for my business? The answer is this, you are creating credibility on the internet. You are becoming trustworthy in the eyes of the people, and Google. This will increase your online presence. If your online presence is now being found easier for searchers, then now people can buy your services without any hassle. People do not like hassle and if your business profile is hard to deal with, the likelihood of someone using it is low, very low.


If someone is looking for a product, or service, online then they will go on their smartphone, type on Google Search for what they are looking for, and then they will have a list of business profile accounts that offer that service. You need to be one of those top three (3) competitors on that list. Let CM & CM Marketing LLC help take you there.


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