Story Based Question
Let’s say you’ve just opened a brand-new pet grooming service in your town, and you’ve heard about Google My Business (GMB) and how it can help local customers find you when they search for “pet grooming near me.” But there’s a problem: your business isn’t showing up on Google yet, and you’re unsure how to get it listed. How do you claim your GMB listing and get your grooming service on the map (literally)?
Exact Answer
To claim a Google My Business listing, you need to create or sign in to your Google account, find your business on Google, and then verify ownership through a process that usually involves a postcard sent to your business address.
Explanation
Claiming your Google My Business listing is a straightforward process, but it’s essential for getting your business visible in local search results and on Google Maps. Here’s how to do it step by step:
- Create or Sign In to Your Google Account: First, you’ll need a Google account to access GMB. If you don’t have one, create it. If you already have an account, simply sign in.
- Search for Your Business: Go to Google and search for your business name. If your business already exists in Google’s database, it might show up in search results, even if you haven’t created a GMB profile yet.
- Claim or Add Your Business:
- If your business is already listed, click on your business and select the option to claim it.
- If your business isn’t listed yet, click on “Add your business to Google” and follow the prompts to enter your business name, category (e.g., “pet grooming”), and location.
- Fill Out Your Business Information: You’ll be asked to provide key details about your business, including:
- Business name
- Address
- Phone number
- Website
- Hours of operation
- Category (e.g., pet grooming)
- Verify Your Business: Google requires verification to make sure you own the business. The most common method is through a postcard sent to your business address, which contains a verification code. Once you receive it (usually within a week or two), enter the code on the Google My Business dashboard to complete the verification.
- In some cases, you may also be able to verify by phone, email, or through Google Search Console, but the postcard method is the most common.
- Optimize Your Listing: After claiming your listing and verifying it, you can enhance your profile by adding photos, business hours, and other details. The more complete your profile is, the better your chances of ranking higher in local searches.
Example
Let’s return to your pet grooming service, Fluffy & Fresh Grooming. You’ve just opened, and you’re eager to make sure that when people in your area search for “pet grooming near me,” your business appears.
After following the steps:
- You create a Google account or sign in to your existing one.
- You search for your business on Google and see that it isn’t listed yet, so you click “Add your business to Google.”
- You enter your business name and address: Fluffy & Fresh Grooming, 123 Pet Lane, Your City.
- You select the category “Pet Grooming” and fill in your phone number, website, and hours.
- You request a verification postcard, which arrives at your business address a week later with a verification code.
- Once you enter the code on your GMB dashboard, your business is officially claimed and verified.
Now, your business is listed on Google, and whenever someone nearby searches for “pet grooming near me,” Fluffy & Fresh Grooming shows up in the search results, ready to book appointments!