How to Claim Your Jennifer Maimone from Dual Crossroads info@dualcrossroads.com • www.dualcrossroads.com • 1005 Mission Street

What is a “Google My Business” Page? Google My Business is a free and easy-to-use tool for businesses and organizations to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. This includes information like (but not limited to) a store’s name, address, hours, and Google reviews. The Business Page is where all that information is kept, generated, and where you can update. By verifying and editing your business page, you can both help customers find you and tell them the story of your business.

Why Should I Care about My Google Business Page? (1/2) Have you ever gone on Google, and typed in the name of a business on the Search Bar? Or maybe you typed in something like “Vintage store near South Pasadena”? When the search comes up, you may notice one of two things: A store featured on the right of the screen. A list of stores featured in a list from Google Maps. ALL that information is generated from the listed company’s Google My Business Page!

Why Should I Care about My Google Business Page? (2/2) When people look you up, the information they first see will be predominantly from a Google Business Page. If you want to successfully update your business information, respond to Google reviews, update/add photos, and come up higher on search engines, the first thing you’ll want to do is Claim (or Create) your Google My Business Page.

What Do I Need Before I Can Claim My Business Page? What you will need: A Google account. This can be through Gmail, YouTube, or something along those lines. Access to your company’s landline, mailing, or a company-domain email. Patience! (Really)

The Google Account First thing’s first. Do you have a Google account? Yes, I do: Awesome! You can use it to claim/create a Google My Business Page. Just remember: if the account is personal (or is used by others), you can always make separate one that’s strictly for business. Either option works for claiming/creating a page, so long as you have an account. No, I don’t: Time to make one! Don’t know how? Go to the end of the packet for details on how to make one. Once you have an account with Google, go to google.com/business

Using Google.com/Business Go to google.com/business. Sign in with your Google account. If you’re new, it will ask you to agree to the terms of service. Click the box, and then click Continue.

The Google My Business Dashboard After accepting the Terms of Service, you will be brought to your Google My Business Dashboard. This is where you will go to in the future to edit and manage your Business Page. You can go to it directly at https://business.google.com/manage Click Add a Single Location.

Adding a New Location Fill out the information requested. Leave nothing blank. When done, click Continue.

Pre-Existing Business Page Brand New Business Page If your Business Page already exists, a notification will pop up saying there is another business similar to the one you added. If it is the same one, click on it in order to verify it. If it does not match, click “This Does Not Match. Keep the Information I Entered.” This will generate a whole new Business Page. If your Business Page is brand new, and had never been present on Google before, you will be able to create a whole new Business Page. Just click that you are authorized to manage the business, and click Continue. Pre-Existing Business Page Brand New Business Page

Notification a Business Page is Claimed by Someone Else Verifying Your Page Pre-Existing Business Page If your page already exists, there are two things possibilities that may happen. Your page is Unclaimed. If so, go to the next page for further instructions. 2) Your page is already Claimed. If it’s owned by someone who is NOT you, then Request Ownership. By doing this, Google will send an email to the owner requesting them to transfer ownership to you. When/if they transfer ownership, you’ll then be able to claim your page. Notification a Business Page is Claimed by Someone Else *Experiences vary with how easy/complicated transferring ownership can be. Feel free to contact me if you come across issues with this.

Verifying Your Page If your Business Page is Brand New OR Unclaimed If your Business Page is brand new or unclaimed, claim it. You will see a notification about verifying your Business Page. Click it, and Google will issue a postcard to your business mailing address. This can take 1-3+ weeks. When you receive it, log back in to your account and enter the code. *Note: ONLY THEN should you make any edits to your new Business Page. Do not do it before you enter the code, or else you risk the code becoming useless, and you’ll have to issue a brand new one.

How to Get to Your Business Page In the Future You can get to your Google My Business Page in two ways. 1) Go to https://business.google.com/manage and click 2) Go to Google.com, and click on the icon at the top right-hand corner. This will bring you a drop down. Look for the My Business Icon (looks like: ). If you do not see it, click “More” at the bottom of the menu.

You’re Ready to Manage Your Page! Once your page is claimed and verified, you’re ready to edit, add photos, update company information, and generate more traffic to your store! You can even post live-updates like you do on your Facebook page. Congratulations!

Final Thoughts to Note Google is constantly changing its platform. What was standard 3 months ago may no longer be so today. Keep any eye on your page, and if need be, hire professional SEO (search engine optimization) managers to help you!

Need Personal Training on How to Claim Your Business Page Need Personal Training on How to Claim Your Business Page? (Or Want Me to Do It For You?) You can email me at info@dualcrossroads.com about personal training, or about me claiming your Business page for you. I will be glad to talk to you about your needs! I Already Claimed and Verified My Page, but I Don’t Have Time to Manage It. Can I Hire You? While I can definitely help you to claim/verify your page and to get its general information updated, I recommend contacting the SEO companies listed on the South Pasadena Chamber’s website for ongoing, long-term marketing goals. Feel free to ask me for any I’d recommend!

Thank you for your time! Jennifer Maimone from Dual Crossroads info@dualcrossroads.com • www.dualcrossroads.com • 1005 Mission Street

Additional Information

How do I make an account with Google? (1/3) Go to google.com/business. Click START NOW.

How do I make an account with Google? (2/3) On the next page, click on “More Options”, and then click on “Create Account”.

How do I make an account with Google? (3/3) Fill out all necessary information. When selecting your email address, you can either use one you already have (ie: info@dualcrossroads.com), or you can make a new Gmail address. Follow all other necessary steps until your account is made. And you’re done!