Putting Your Business on the Map...
Exciting times – we've just launched a new training programme, helping local businesses to put themselves “on the map” and get the attention they deserve.
Here's the first email if you missed it, and a chance to signup to receive them all.
This is it – the first official email helping you to put your business on the map…. and this time we are doing it very literally.
As I've said before, people don't use Yellow Pages (some still use the parent company, Yell, but that's a story for another day…. in short, don't!) so we need to make sure as Small Business Owner that our businesses are showing wherever it is that people are looking.
Think about it. Right now…
What did you do, or where did you go the last time you needed a local business or service?
Google? Yup, me too, though we don't necessarily realise it all the time.
I'm an Android user – almost anything I do on my phone is being fed back to Google, but also their data is being used all the time to enhance my experience. Incoming call all from an unrecognised number? It's ‘googled' in the background. Search for “Computer Repair near me” – Google answers…
And that's the main point of all of this. Every week I'm getting calls from people who put exactly that into their phone. My name and number comes up. They call me. I fix it. They pay me. Simple.
If your business isn't there, they're not going to be calling you.
So let's fix that. Today.
I would (quite literally) be lost without Google Maps. I use that (and sometimes Waze, but they own that too) as my Sat Nav, to check for traffic or directions before leaving the office, to let others know where I am… I embed them in the websites I create so that others can find the business that website is for.
I've also spent HOURS (sad admission really) helping to correct and improve the Map data that Google has. Adding in new buildings, roads, shops, businesses; correcting the details of places already on there; adding pictures or reviews of businesses; correcting map errors such as one-way streets or prohibited turns. Hmmm, I'm almost kinda embarrassed to admit all this now. Yup, I need to get out more… but I need a good Map to make that possible!
I've been part of Google's Local Guide programme since it started, and was initially responsible for growing that programme across Essex. I even have the T-shirt to prove it, plus a few other goodies and freebies from the big G.
It's no longer an exclusive club, and there are thousands of people getting involved and improving the Maps data for others to benefit from, but my consistency in this over the years means that I am highly-trusted and my edits often take priority over others…. which can be beneficial when there are rogue listings in the area threatening to undermine my clients 😉
The other element of this is Google My Business, where business can add, edit, manage the information shown about them in Maps. This is what we're going to start with this week.
You'll need a Google Account to use this. If you have an Android phone or a Gmail account then you already have an Account, but if you don't have one you can easily create one and they'll guide you through it when you try to access the Google My Business platform:
YOUR TASK FOR THE WEEK
If your business is already listed and claimed then you have an easy week ahead,
but if not then NOW is the time to change that!
To make it easy I've put a 15 minute video together for you…
Before you start…
you're going to need to know the following, and it needs to be consistent across all platforms going forward, so you may want to write it down. This may sound silly, but just trust me on this one.
- Name of Business
- Business Address
- Business Phone
- Website Address
- Opening Hours
- Business Category
- Whether customers can come to your address
- The location/area you cover (“service area”)
Once you've added your basic Business information, Google will want to verify it via text message or postcard, depending on the business type. Since the postcard can take a few days to arrive I'll send the next steps out in a few days, to give time for you to complete the basic setup and receive the verification code.
If you want help with all of this, the option is there, but there is no expectation for taking any of the paid services.
- If you want to grab 20 minutes with me to go into more detail on any of the topics we'll cover, or to check you've done thigs in the best way, then you can book a time straight into my schedule for doing just that.
- If you want to me to ‘put your business on the map' for you, quickly, then there's also a Power Hour available where we can do just that.
I can also help with a website, domain name or business phone line/number if needed, and always happy to chat if you have any questions or concerns around any of this.
The main aim though is to equip you to take control and get yourself on the map.
Zero pressure for anything more.
If you want to chat with others who are following these steps, then feel free to connect on our Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/S6Connect
Let me know how you get on,
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