Get Listed on Google Places for Free
How to add your business to Google Places
Getting listing in the Local search results of the major search engines is an easy way to increase the visibility of your business. You don't even need to have a web site to get your business listed.
What Is Local Search?
Local search is a special subset of search engine results that returns not only what information but is restricted to a regional area - the where information.
Examples of local search terms might be "Medford Dentist" or "Ashland restaurants".
For small businesses whose clients are local - repair people, medical professionals, entertainment venues, to name just a few - coming up in the search engine local search results is a real advantage.
Step 1: Get your info ready
The easiest way is probably to prepare a text file with your info that you can copy and paste into the submission form. You'll need:
- Your business name
- Address
- Phone number
- Web site address
- A brief description of your business – include your keywords.
You can choose up to 5 categories to be listed under. Google also lets you upload up to 10 photos. You may want to upload your logo or representative photos for your business.
Step 2: See if you are already listed
Go to each site and search for your business name and your zip code to see if you are already listed. While you are there, take a look at the listings already there to get an idea of what yours could look like.
- Google Local link: local.google.com
If you do see your business already listed, you can claim it as the business owner. Click on the name of your business to see your current Google Places page. On the top right of the page, you'll see a link "Business Owner". Click that link to get options for editing your listing.
If you don't see your business listed, click on the "Sign in" link on the top right of the page.
You'll need to create an account for each search engine if you don't already have one. If you have a Google account, sign in.
After signing in, you should automatically get returned to the page with options for editing your listing. If you don't, go to https://www.google.com/accounts/ManageAccount, then find the "Google Places" link.
Step 3: Make your listing
Click on "add business and just follow the instructions to add a new listing.
You'll have to fill in a form with all your business details. It is a pretty long form but it is easy to figure out what to put where.
Important: After you create your Google Places listing your account will need to be verified If you don't verify, your listing won't go live. You can confirm by phone (Google will can with a PIN number) or ask Google to send you a card by mail. I recommend phone - you can get it done right away without waiting for the mail.
If you want to change your listing later, all you need to do is return to Google Places, find your business and click on the edit link.
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