The days of sifting through a telephone directory to find a local business are behind us (for the most part), and the age of online business directories is here. Whether you run an e-commerce store or a small local business in Brookfield, Wisconsin, online business directories can play an essential role in your marketing plan and be a powerful tool for broadening your company’s exposure.
Below, this listings management agency in Brookfield, Wisconsin is going to discuss everything you’ll need to know about one of the most crucial online business directories: Google My Business.
Get Started on Google My Business
Google My Business is the single largest and — in many ways — the most important online business directory. After all, Google is usually the first place someone goes when searching for a local business on the Internet.
While Google My Business may not provide users with as much information about a business as a specialized directory would, it is often a customer’s first point of contact with a business. Therefore, for businesses that are new to the world of online business directories, Google My Business is the place to start.
A reputable listings management agency in Brookfield, Wisconsin can get your business listed on Google. However, it’s also possible for business owners to set it up themselves. To get started with Google My Business, visit their website. Once there, you can complete the following steps to register your business:
Step 1: Click on the “Manage now” button in the top right corner of your screen.
Step 2: Sign into your existing Google account or create a new one.
Step 3: Enter your registered business name.
Step 4: Input your business address. You can choose to hide it (if you run your business from home, for example).
Step 5: Select a category that best fits your business. This is a crucial step — your selection will tell Google where your listing should appear for local searches, and the kind of customers who should see it.
Step 6: Enter your business’s contact information and website URL.
Step 7: Finally, click the ‘Finish and Verify’ button to complete the setup process. You will then be asked to choose a verification method, which is typically done through the mail. In these cases, Google will send a postcard with a verification code to your business address, and you will use that code to finish the setup. There are also other methods that can be used to verify your business, which a Brookfield listings management agency can help you explore.
How to Maximize the Efficacy of Your Google My Business Listing
Google My Business is an excellent way to boost your brand presence and attract more customers. However, to get the most out of Google My Business, it’s essential that your listing features accurate and complete information.
This should come as no surprise — we all know that Google expects accurate and consistent business listings. But have you thought about how your potential customers use business listings? BrightLocal investigated consumer perceptions of business listings and released their findings in their Business Listings Trust Report 2021:
- About 94% of customers used a business directory site last year to learn more about a local business.
- Inaccurate information on a business listing can deter as many as 63% of customers from using that company.
- 85% of customers noticed incorrect or missing information on a business listing in 2020.
- Nearly 81% of customers visited a business that was advertised as ‘open’ online but was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking for the Best Listings Management Agency in Brookfield, Wisconsin?
As the top-rated listings management agency in Brookfield, Wisconsin, we want to highlight the importance of keeping your business listings up to date — especially considering the pandemic disruption. If you need to update your business’s information on Google, our listing management services will take care of everything. Contact us today at (312) 933-6806 or fill out an online form to learn how our listing management solution can help your business.