an important tool for your business
We’ve been noticing a large amount of our clients who have been asking for help in how to create a link that will directly link to their google business page for a customer to leave a review, so we decided to create a “How To” article on how to setup a google business account (if you don’t already have one) and how to create a link that you can send directly to clients or even put into your email signature to help increase the amount of google reviews for your business.
Google My Business is a free tool offered by Google that will allow your company to have increased visibility online and allows for potential customers to locate your business locally with a lot more ease. For example, say you’re looking for a local web company to help you create a new website. You can enter ‘local web company’ into Google’s search bar and you’ll be shown a box with a Google Map box with all of the business who have a Google My Business Account listed.
As you can see from the screenshot above, you can see a few of the local web companies in your area, along with their address, phone number, today’s business hours, website link and directions link. You’re also able to see what their current google rating is and how many reviews that have. This is especially useful because more and more people are using their cell phones to help them find local businesses to help them with their needs.
As someone who uses Google all the time when it comes to looking for a local plumber or electrician for my house, I can say with certainty I will look at and compare all of the business that are shown to me on that Google map. It allows me to take my time and read the reviews, look at their website to see the level of work they put out, and decide if I feel they may be the company I want to work with. So why not take advantage of the free and very useful tool to put your business ahead of your competition?!
How to Create a Google My Business Account
[efsrow] [efscolumn lg=”6″ md=”6″ smoff=”0″ mdoff=”0″ lgoff=”0″ ]Steps 1 & 2
- Go to https://www.google.com/business, and click ‘Sign In’
- Either sign into your google account or create one if you don’t have a google account.
- Be sure that you sign up with your business email domain since this account will be for your business. (i.e. hello@asquaredstudio.com)
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Step 3
[efsrow] [efscolumn lg=”6″ md=”6″ smoff=”0″ mdoff=”0″ lgoff=”0″ ]- Enter your business name, then click ‘Next’
- Select ‘Yes’ to add a location for customers to visit (like an office or store front) and click ‘Next’.
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Step 4
[efsrow] [efscolumn lg=”6″ md=”6″ smoff=”0″ mdoff=”0″ lgoff=”0″ ]- Enter your business address.
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Steps 5 – 9
- The next screen will ask you server customers outside of this location (if you deliver or make visits to your customers, you can let them know the range of your area)This screen is where you can put the areas that you serve.
- Choose the business category that best suits your business,
- Enter your business phone number or website.
- Choose a verification option.
- By postcard – This is the default way that Google will verify your business. It will be mailed to you in 5-7 days and will have a verification code you’ll need to enter to finish the verification process and make your Google My Business Account official.
- When you receive you postcard, log into your Google My Business Account, click ‘Verify Now’, enter the code from the postcard and click ‘Submit’.
- Other possible verification options if Google allows it (Not always the case):By phone
- By email
- Instant verification
- Bulk verification
- Other possible verification options if Google allows it (Not always the case):By phone
- Now that your Google My Business Account has been verified, you can start adding important information for your business. Go to your dashboard and select your business. Here you can add as much information, photos, and media as you want. This includes a business profile photo, the are you serve, business hours, phone number and website URL.