While the official Google blog has declared that Google+ as a social network is more or less dead and that Gmail users will no longer be forced to create a Google+ account, this does not mean that Google+ is not important for you as a local business.
While there may be fewer people following your local Google+ business page, the fact that you HAVE a Google+ Business Page will become more important. This is because, as mobile search grows, local businesses need to become more visible on local and mobile search and this is exactly what your business page will do for you.
Not only can your prospective customers locate your business on Google using your business page, they can also see your business information, numbers, website, address, hours of service and even the times of the week when your business is most busy or popular.
I wrote recently about how important a Google+ Local Business Listing will be for businesses like restaurants, cafes, hotels and resorts, and that still holds true today. If you’re a local business, you need to create a Google business listing today.
The #1 reason you need it is because it’s free!
Yes, it is. It costs nothing to create a free Google business listing. But before you do this, read Google’s quality guidelines for business pages. If your business meets these guidelines, you can continue.
How To Create A Free Google Business Listing
First create a Gmail address and a Google+ profile. Then go to your profile and click on “Pages” and then on “Get Your Page.”
You’ll be asked to choose your business type. If you own a restaurant, retail store or hotel, choose the Storefront option. If you own a service business, including one you operate from home (in which case you can hide your address), choose the Service Area. If you’re a music band, sports team or charitable organisation, or are any other kind of business, choose Brand.
You’ll then be taken to a search bar to check if your business already exists on Google.
If it does not, click the link to add your business.
You’ll then be offered the option to fill in all your business details, an introduction, tag line, logo or image and a cover photo. Also add your website and phone numbers.
There’s a lot you can do with your Google business listing dashboard, including connect your Google Analytics, Google Adwords and YouTube accounts.
You’ll be able to verify your business website, so that it appears at the top of the search results. And you’ll be able to check your customer reviews, add photos and create hangouts.
Once you have created a Google business listing free of cost, Google’s gift to you is that your business and your website will now come up on top in the local and mobile search results, when your customers search for your business name.
Your customers will be able to call you, get directions to your business, check out your website and connect with you immediately thanks to your listing.
We hope these Google business listing guidelines have helped you create your own local business listing. If you found these tips useful, please click the button below to share them on Twitter.
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