7 Steps to Optimize your Business on Google

Claiming and verifying your business on Google… It’s typically Step 1 of any local search marketing strategy. And then unfortunately, it tends to be neglected by businesses happy to just “check the box.” I know what you’re thinking: “Okay Alain, why so dramatic about this topic?”

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already claimed and verified your business on Google, (if not, we need to talk). But your listing – now referred to as Google My Business (GMB) – may be missing some very important pieces. GMB is a top priority for Google and should be for you, too.

Plus, there are plenty of new features being rolled out for GMB, including business descriptions, feature lists, and custom posts for events and offers.

These new features are becoming increasingly relevant to pest control businesses like yours this year, simply because ranking high in the Maps section has become an even greater centerpiece to your marketing.

Here are 7 simple steps to optimizing your GMB listing:

1. (a) Search for your business on Google
   1. (b) Ensure that it is verified -- if not, request verification
      [Hint: If you don’t know how to do these first two steps, feel free to give me a call or email me, and my team will let you know. They can even walk you through the verification process – for free.]
2. Take a good nap! You deserve it. Okay seriously. What I mean to say is, confirm that your listing has an accurate “NAP” (Name, Address and Phone number)
3. List your hours of operation
4. Choose a relevant business category
5. Upload relevant images of your business/staff/equipment
6. Build reviews (Hint: This should be a company-wide function)
7. Publish a general post about your business, and monitor for any new Q&A submissions

Checking these off shouldn’t take long. It’s a small investment that could pay off this year, especially as Google brings more emphasis to their GMB section. Keep in mind that like many Web Marketing strategies, this should be ongoing. It is not something you can “set and forget.”

Feel free to reach out if you have questions about this process, and my team and I would be happy to help at websites@markethardware.com if you’d like my opinion.

Alain Parcan, director of marketing for Market Hardware, Inc., contributed this article. Alain brings nearly 10 years of experience in educating businesses so they can market themselves more effectively. Market Hardware helps small businesses compete on the web and offers special discounts for PCOC members. You can reach Alain’s team at (888) 381-6925.