If I was told I could implement only one free tool for a client with a business address, it would be Google My Business. That’s because people still search for content online, and Google is the leading provider of results.
Google My Business is a free tool that provides existing and potential customers with a wealth of information about your company. It appears on the search results page.
Features include:
- Map and directions to your business.
- Phone number.
- Link to your website.
- Photos provided by both you and your customers.
- Business hours, including ones for holidays or any other special day.
- Estimated busy times.
- Google reviews.
- Q & A with listing visitors that you or customers can answer.
- Posting tools so you can highlight menu items, specials, tickets to events, and any other updates.
In short, it combines all the best features from Facebook, Yelp and TripAdvisor. And did I mention it’s free to use?
To create your business listing, visit Google My Business. Make sure you are logged into Google as your business email address, or you’ll wind up tying the listing to the wrong account.
If you don’t use Google to manage your business email, use the same account you use for your website’s Google Analytics or Google Ads. You typically can’t merge Google accounts later, so it’s easiest to have all your Google tools under one account.
After signing up, Google will mail a unique code to your physical business address. Once received you can complete the setup process.
