(Continued from Above)

Step Three: Verify

For any number of reasons, Google will ask you to verify that your information is correct and that your business really is what you say it is. The most common verification method is a Google Postcard. Google will have you email a postcard to your company’s physical address with a 5-digit numerical code. If you are a Service Area Business, Google will ask for your home address – which they will not publish – to send a card to. Once you receive it, you just redeem the code on GMB and you’ll be all set!

If you’ve already verified your listing this way before, it’s possible that Google will have you re-verify (again, for a number of reasons that are never made clear) via an automated phone call or email.

Step Four: Maintain

While it may not seem like much will change with your business’ information once you publish it to Google My Business, there is still some maintenance to be done. For starters, Google launched a whole batch of COVID-19-related prompts to further inform your customers of how you perform your pest control services. You can let the world know about whether you require masks, what your social distance protocol is while on property, and more.

Another thing you’ll need to maintain is the information itself. Google will alert you when users have contributed new information to your listing via the ‘Suggest an edit’ link that exists on all listings. Google may even try to force your hand and ask that you “Accept all changes for this location.” If you leave the suggestions alone for too long, Google may update your pest control listing without your approval. This reason is why you must check your GMB listing continuously; accepting and denying changes as they come.

Step Five: Post

Our last tip is one of the newer functions of GMB. With ‘Posts,’ you can add eye-grabbing updates near the bottom of your listing to share what your business has going on. You can add regular updates (or COVID-19 updates) like you would on Facebook. You can even go a step further and add the types of pest control products you use or highlight a current promotion. Making a bold offer is a great way to break through the search engine traffic and send local Californians to your pest control site.

Updating and maintaining your business information on Google My Business is yet another way to clearly paint an online picture of your pest control company and methods for customers to see. We hope this guide helps you and your pest control services get noticed by Google’s search algorithm. If you have any questions about how to show up better organically or about any of our GMB tips, call the Web Marketing experts at Market Hardware. Market Hardware is happy to offer Web Marketing consultations – give us a call to learn more! Contact us today if you’re interested and want more information! You can email PCOC@markethardware.com or call (888) 381-6925.