How To Get Your Business on Google

If your business appears in the search with the correct name and address you’ll have to confirm that you are authorized to manage the business page. To do this, Google will ask you to verify your association with the business by mailing you a verification code to your business’ address. This can take up to two weeks to receive the verification code. Once you receive the code in the mail you can then move forward with the verification process by entering the code on your business’ Google+ business page.

If your business doesn’t appear in the search Google will ask you to enter the full business details to your business. Once you’ve entered your information Google will set up a business page for you and ask you to verify that you are associated with this business by sending you a verification code in the mail to your address. 

Step 2: Verifying Your Local Business Page

Having a verified local Google+ page not only lets others know that your page is actually managed by your business, but will also allow your business information to appear across Google, including Google Search, Maps, and mobile.

At this point, you’ve created your business’ Google+ page and filled out all of your business’ information (if you haven’t, then do it now!). Now, there are a few different ways for you to verify your page, depending on the type of business you are managing.

Verify by postcard

If you choose to verify your business page via postcard, you must follow these steps:

1. Visit Google By Business, select the business you’d like the verify, and click Verify now.
2. On the request for a postcard screen, check to see if your address is displayed correctly. You also can enter an Optional contact name to help your postcard reach you.
3. Click Send postcard.
4. Check your mail for the postcard -- it should take one to two weeks to arrive at your business’ address. When you receive your postcard, enter the verification code. 

Verify by phone

Your business might not qualify for phone verification. If you don’t see it as an option when you try to verify then you will have to request a postcard instead, using the steps listed above.

1. Visit Google By Business, select the business you’d like the verify, and click Verify now.
2. Make sure you are available to directly answer your business phone number to receive your verification code.
3. Click Verify by phone to have the code sent to your phone via automated message.
4. Enter the verification code from the message into your page’s dashboard

Instant verification

Please note: some business categories may not be eligible for instant verification. You may be qualified for instant verification if you’ve already verified your business’s website with Google Webmaster Tools. To do this, sign in to Google My Business with the same account you used to verify your site with Webmaster Tools.

After all your hard work of getting you page setup and following the verification steps, there is no better feeling than seeing your business’ name with a shielded checkmark next to it, signifying that you officially have a verified Google+ Business page! Now, current and future customers of your products or services will be able to find your business and all it’s information in a simple Google search, including Google Maps.

You want to keep your Google+ profile up to date by adding regular content, images, and videos as well as by interacting with customers who review your site. Make the effort to add branding to the Google+ profile and show your customers what you're all about. Also, include external links to your website and other social media profiles. Really make your new Google+ profile robust because it will only help your placement in Google searches.

As mobile searches have skyrocketed over the past few years, having a Google+ page for your business has become necessary in being found in local searches. Luckily, in just a matter of minutes, you can step up this essential social profile (or tool) that helps you promote your business with little day-to-day upkeep.