As a business owner, it's in your best interests to make your business as easy to find as possible. As more and more customers turn to the web to find businesses near them, you need to make sure your business is listed on websites such as Google Maps. Google Maps is especially key because not only do people use it to find directions to certain locations, but they also use it to search for certain categories of businesses near their location.
Instructions
1. Check Google Maps to determine whether your business is already listed. The website already has a wide variety of listings, and you may find that you do not need to add your business. If you feel that the information currently listed is incorrect, you can correct it by following the same process as you would to add your business.
2. Prepare the information you will need to add your business to Google Maps. In addition to your address and contact information, Google requires you to categorize your business, as well as list operating hours and payment information. You also have the option to submit a digital photo of your business, which could be beneficial in helping customers locate your headquarters.
3. Visit the Google Maps Local Business Center website (see Resources below) to upload your information and your photograph.
4. Add information to your listing by creating custom attributes. Google Maps allows you to add information to your listing by selecting the "Create your own" button. Examples of custom attributes are listing specialties of your business, the areas your business serves or your estimate procedure.
5. Choose a validation method. You can opt to have the Google staff call you at your business phone number, text your cell phone number or mail a postcard to your business address. With either method, you will receive a PIN number to enter into the website. Validation protects your business' entry from being edited by anyone not associated with your company.
6. Ask your customers to write positive reviews of your business on Google Maps. To write a review, they will need to select your business in Google Maps and choose the button that says "Write a review." In addition to writing a review, customers can also give your business a ranking of up to 5 stars.
