Once you’ve submitted your sitemap to major search engines, the next critical step in your digital marketing strategy is setting up accounts on Google My Business (GMB) and Bing Places for Business (BPB). These platforms serve as comprehensive sources of information about your business that appear in search results.
What Information Can You Add?
- Contact Information: Include your phone number, physical address (if you have a brick-and-mortar location), and hours of operation, including holiday or special hours.
- Photos: Upload images of your interior, exterior, logo, and optional photos like staff, products, or events.
- Business Attributes: Highlight if your business is veteran-owned, black-owned, or woman-owned.
- Special Offers: Share promotions or discounts to attract customers.
- Website Link: Provide the all-important link to your website.
- Customer Reviews: Encourage customers to leave reviews. A high number of positive reviews will boost your ranking and draw in more customers.
- Service Options: Mention options like online appointments or COVID-related policies.
- Business Description: Add a detailed description of your business, along with links to your social media profiles.
Verification Process
After entering your business information, you’ll need to verify your listing. Google and Bing will send a postcard to your business address containing a verification code and instructions. Once verified, it may take a few days for your listing to go live.
Managing Your Account
You, or your web developer, can add users to your account to help manage tasks like replying to reviews or updating information. This ensures your business listing stays accurate and engaging.
Setting up and maintaining your Google My Business and Bing Places accounts is a powerful way to improve your online visibility, attract customers, and build trust in your brand.