subject: The Importance Of Claiming Your Listing In Google Maps [print this page] More and more business owners are taking advantage of the power inherent by having a well-optimized listing in Google Maps; however, there are still many business owners who have yet to claim their business on Google Maps -allowing others to alter the data of said business in any way they choose. In this article, well first try to tell you why you should claim your business listing on Google Maps, followed by how to claim your listing.
First off, as a business owner, you need to retain full control over the message your websites give about your business, and your listing in Google Maps is no different. By claiming and owning your listing, you and only you will have full control over what appears on your listing, from content to images and everything else in between. Controlling your listing should be on the same priority level as controlling your companys main business website, in order to maintain a consistent message to your customers. Its controlling and maintaining the image of your company that makes claiming your local business listings in Google Maps so important.
How do you claim your listing, then? The process is thankfully pretty simple. First, you need to find your business in Google. If its a brand new business, you can add a new listing, as well, but the rest of the information here will still apply. Once you have found your business on Google Maps, click the Claim your business link in the popup window in Google Maps. Google will then allow you to enter your information, and here you want to be as complete and accurate as possible in every field that applies to your business. Once youve completed that, you can ask Google to either call you over the phone to verify your business, or to send you a postcard with a small PIN on it to phone in once you receive it. Once youve done that, your listing will be yours and yours alone.
Owning your listing in Google Maps is an important step toward making sure your listing in Google Maps is as well optimized and engaging as possible. By controlling your listing, you help maintain a consistent voice about who you are and what your business offers, so if you dont own your Google Maps listing, its imperative that you fix this immediately.