How to create a Google my Business Listing

Hello There! I hope everyone is having a productive week, I know I am. There are so many things that factor into your search presence online so I am taking it back to the basics today with a post about how to setup your Google my Business (formerly called Google Places) profile and why it is important.

Let’s start with, “Why is it important to have a Google My Business Page?”

There have been a lot of published articles within the SEO industry about the future of Google Plus. A lot of companies are wondering, is Google + and Google my business still relevant and is it important to be active in that space? My answer is yes! It is important. Anytime you have a chance to link your website to Google you should do it. I’m not just talking about your Google my business page or your Google+ page I’m talking about Google Analytics, Google Webmaster setting up a YouTube account. It’s all relevant.

Just because one property like Google Plus maybe a fizzing out, it doesn’t mean they all are and you should always take advantage of the tools that Google has to offer you if you want to show up in organic search. Claiming your Google my business listing is one of the easiest ways to show up on the first page of Google for the name of your business.

One of the important things to know about setting up your listing is having a business address where you can receive the mail. When you reach the last step of setting up your account, Google will send you a postcard with a verification code that you will receive within 2 weeks. Only when you have verified your page will the results show up to the public. Google will not currently accept a P.O. Box as an address. If you are a home based business, beware of listing your home address, because if you’re like me you wouldn’t want a photo of your house showing up on Google Maps for your business listing. I use a virtual office service called Regus.

Many people confuse Google+ and Google my business

They do integrate but are separate listings.If you think you’ve set up a business account, make sure that the icon you see is a little blue store front with the letter G on it. This is something that has been re branded a few times so it is easily confused.

Setting up your listing will take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes depending on how detailed you get with the meat and potatoes which is the business description.

  • First google your business name to see if you may already have a business page.
  • If you do and just have not claimed it, Google will have a place to claim your listing.
  • If you are starting from scratch, go HERE. You’re Google plus page will automatically merge with your business listing.
  • Once you have completed the steps, you will see a prompt to mail a verification postcard.
  • The postcard should arrive within 2 weeks with a six digit code that you will need to enter at the top of your page.
  • Last, if you find that you have multiple listings that need cleaning up or have any trouble setting up your listing you can always call Google at 1-844-442-8695. I have never had to call so I can’t promise anything, but I wanted to save you the time of searching around for a phone number if needed

    • Now that you have setup your listing be sure to share that with your customer base.

    There will be an opportunity for you to collect reviews from your customers on your Google my business page. It is important to monitor and check back in with your page regularly so that you don’t by chance get any negative reviews that you’re not addressing right away. One of my most successful clients has over 400 five-star reviews on their Google Business page. They are a service based company and make sure to tell every customer that there is an opportunity for them to review the experience on many online platforms. In 2012 Tech Crunch reported a staggering 425 million Gmail users. Imagine what that number looks like today. Because there are so many people who use a gmail address it’s very simple and easy to post online reviews.

    Please feel free to leave a comment or feedback about this post. I also host a FREE facebook group where we share helpful tips and tricks to help your business gain visibility online. I would love for you to join HERE.

    Why Having a Business Coach is a Must

    Why having a business coach is a must for a new business owners

    Earlier this month I had a chance to be featured on the growing podcast, The Six Figure Side Gig. Not because my PR skills are amazing or because I’m running a multi-million dollar business but because I happen to be fortunate enough to work with business coach, Dr. Mark Costes. You see, Dr. Costes is not only a successful business owner and business coach he is also the host of Six Figure Side Gig Podcast. This episode is a case study series we are working on that covers the progress of my first year as an entrepreneur.

    Why having a business coach matters

    business coachA lot of people ask me why I have a business coach, more importantly how can I justify the investment in one when I’m only in my first year of business. The truth is, I don’t think I can afford not to have a business coach if I want to be successful. Surviving in the online marketing space is not easy. There are thousands upon thousands of companies who do SEO, SEM and build wordpress websites like I do. While I know what seperates me from other digital marketing companies and can clearly deliver a solid value proposition, I needed some help prioritizing, being effective with my time and being smart with my money. So, for those reasons and many more, it was never a second thought when I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Costes. In all of my years in business and marketing, I have always felt it was important to attach myself to someone further along in their career than me.

    A Mentor was not enough

    I have so many amazing mentors, who I love and appreciate so much, but there is something very different about hiring a business coach. There is hardcore accountability when you are goal setting with someone who you are paying to keep you on track. Do I meet all of my goals all of the time? No. But, I absolutely make my best effort which is something I would not have the focus or self discipline to do on my own. Life gets in the way, or client projects takeover and scheduling time just to focus on my business goes to the wayside. So for me having mentor’s was not enough.

    Choosing the right business coach

    I can’t say I am the authority on this and there are some great articles on what to look for in a business coach, like THIS ONE. But, I can help you narrow it down. First, decide what your budget is. A business coach can range from $500 to $5,000 a month. Being a new business owner, I had to be mindful about budget. Next, ask for referrals, listen to business podcasts and look at online reviews. You should do your homework before hiring someone, rather than hiring the first person that comes along. Last, measure their own business success. If you are looking for a business coach, you want to work with someone who has been successful in building other businesses besides their coaching one. I chose Mark Costes because he has several successful companies that he currently operates so he is able to share pitfalls, successes and best practices from real life experience.

    six figure side gig

    To hear my Six Figure Side Gig Podcast Interview with my Business Coach, CLICK HERE.

    I love this article from Entrepreneur.com, 4 Reason You Should Seek Out a Business Coach.
    To read the full article click HERE.

    A business coach will challenge your thinking, goals and willingness to grow. As somebody who has “been there, done that,” a coach also acts as a role model because of the experience that he or she shares. Additionally, a coach has unique insight that broadens your business awareness.