Printing & Design Blog

Sonoma County Businesses Can Get Free Listing on Google

The way people find businesses has changed, and now more people search online than anywhere else.  I don’t usually promote something so blatantly, but I think the possibilities of being found in local business listings can benefit any business. Google, Bing and Yahoo all do it for free and I will tell you how each does it.

Creating a listing through Google Places takes a little bit of time, but it makes it more likely that you can be easily found on Google.com and Google Maps.  And as I’ve said before, it doesn’t cost a thing.

Your business listing probably already shows up on Google, but by going into Google Places you can update information and verify that it is accurate.  You can also add notifications, which can give you a fresh, current appearance to your listing.  And you don’t even need a website in order to maintain your listing.

Customization is easy

One of the advantages of setting up your own listing is that you can add photos and videos.  You can create custom categories, personalizing your information, adding things like business hours, parking and even offer coupons to encourage customer to make a first-time or repeat purchase.

Verification is valuable

Google collects information to fill your business listing.  If you go in and verify that you are authorized to represent the company, Google then allows you to personalize your information.  In addition to being able to add your own details about your business, Google will also begin to collect data that can be helpful to you in running your business.  This can allow you to make changes that will help you increase your business.

Training Videos Available

Google wants to make this service accessible and useable.  There are numerous online videos which explain how to set up  your business listing.  It is clear that  the battle for people’s attention and search clicks is so intense, that the search engines are fighting for market share and your business can benefit because you can get great information out about your business onto the first page of a search.

Written by David Walrath

Ajalon Printing & Design