Do you know how to get your business listed on Google Maps?

If you’ve ever looked for a local business, like a plumber, landscaper, restaurant, etc., there’s a good chance you found them on Google Maps.

Many people use Google Maps every day to find what they’re looking for.  Should you try to list your real estate investing business on Google Maps?

You may think, there probably aren’t many people going to Google Maps to search for a real estate investor, so why bother?

While that’s true, here are a couple of reasons why you should consider learning how to get your business listed on Google Maps and get listed:

• Sometimes when someone is searching for something on Google, Google will automatically pull up a map with businesses on it.  For real estate investors, it seems like it varies by city and exactly what you search for.  But sometimes listings for real estate investors come up on a map, even when someone wasn’t specifically looking for a map.
• Google uses your listing to know you’re a real business, which can improve your website’s search engine ranking.

That second reason is worth paying attention to if you have a website for your real estate investing business and you want to get leads from the internet.

Sites like Google want to help people connect with reputable businesses because that will give them a better experience.  If you haven’t taken the time to set up a listing for your business, sites like Google don’t see you as being a real business.  That means you have a lower chance of showing up in the results.

Of course, having a listing with Google doesn’t guarantee you’ll rank well in the search results, but it can help.  And it’s not too big of a deal to set up, so it makes sense to take the time to do it.

How to get set up on Google Maps as a business:

Go to google.com/business

Follow the steps on the screen.  If you have a business that has been around a while, you might already be listed.  If you’re not sure, go to Google Maps and search for your business name.

If your business is already listed, you need to “claim” your listing. That means you need to verify that you’re the owner. You’ll need a Google account if you don’t already have one, which is free to create.

Often claiming your listing involves having Google mail you something, which has a special code on it.  Once you get that, you go back to your account and enter the code.  That way Google knows you can receive mail at the business address, which means you’re the owner.

If you have a new business, you’ll need to manually add your business.  You’ll enter your business name, address, phone number, and other information.

They may require you to verify your listing using the method described already, where they mail you something with a special code on it that you’ll need to enter online.  This process is free.

The address has to be a physical address (not a PO Box).  If you don’t have a business address and don’t want to use your home address, consider renting a mailbox from places like the UPS Store or Mailboxes Etc. since these give you a physical address.

Once you finish the process of getting confirmed as the business owner, you’ll want to be sure your listing is complete.  Put your website address in the spot for that.

It’s also a good idea to have your business address and phone number on your website and make sure it matches what you have on file with Google.

So, now you know how to get your business listed on Google Maps

If you would like DDW to take care of this for you, then please contact our team.