Best Strength

Have you created a Google Business Listing for your business yet? If not then you are missing out on a opportunity.

We still encounter a lot of business owners who we work for that either haven’t realised they could have a business listing on Google or just haven’t gotten round to adding one.

It’s very simple and quick to do.

Top 7 reasons you should have a Google Business Listing:

1. Prominence in Google

If a user searches for a combination of a place and service then Google displays the business results near the top of page 1 along with a local map. Take a look at this example where the search term is ‘Edinburgh airport parking’: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=edinburgh+airport+parking&meta=&rlz=1R2GZAZ_enGB347&aq=f&oq=. You’ll see that the Google business listings actually rank above all of the organic results on the left hand side of the page. This means that even if you don’t have an SEO budget or strong web presence you can still possibly be listed at the top of the page above the top ranking organic competitor by having a business listing.

2.Business Listings Are Easily Noticed

When business listings are returned within the search results area they are very prominent on the page due to the map which is included and format of the business listings alongside it. They even stick out a lot compared to the plain text adverts which appear on the right hand side of the page. Without spending any money you can be competing with your competitors who are having to pay to be found!

3. It really it is free

You will have to register a Google account if you don’t have one, do an address or phone number verification and create your business listing but all it costs is a bit of time – and normally less than a coffee break.

4.Get a high listing

If you manage to add a listing before your competitors do for your service and location then you will always appear before them as entries are listed in the order in which they were added.

5.Multiple Locations Supported

You can list multiple offices within a single account.

6.Customers Can Easily Find You

A street map including directions means that your prospective clients can see where you are located and find you easily. They can even toggle between arial and satellite view.

7.Expanding Services Inevitable

Google have announced improvements to the service which we can expect in the future such as integration with mobiles, map links within results listings. The creation of coupons/vouchers that users can print off and bring with them was added recently too giving you added value to offer to users who find your listing.

It is also very likely that other local business directories will feed off the Google Business Listings so your listing will start appearing elsewhere as a pleasant consequence.

It just takes a few quick and easy steps to set up your Google Business Listing:

1.Sign in to the Google Local Business Center.

You can sign in using an existing Google account or if you don’t have one you will need to create one.

2.Enter your business information.

Choose the 5 categories that most accurately describe your business. Custom categories are acceptable but you must include at least 1 predefined category. Think of hat users will be searching for to find a business like yours.

3.Review your listing and verify your business.

To confirm your business, you can either receive a pin code over the phone or by SMS which you enter and your listing will be live within 12 hours or Google sends you a postcard with a confirmation code which normally takes 2-3 weeks.

Don’t put off creating your listing. The free, enhanced listing exposure can do wonders for your business and even if you are not desperate for traffic it is worth securing your position in the business listing results before your competitors do.

You can you find more online business advice from Chris at his blog or visit the main company site to find out all about the wide range of web design related services which Hit Reach offer.

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