Why Your Business Needs Google Business Profile and Bing Places
By Dale West,
Once you have submitted your sitemap to the major search engines, the next important step is setting up your business listings on Google Business Profile and Bing Places for Business.
These platforms help your business appear in local search results, map listings, and "near me" searches. They also give potential customers quick access to important details about your business before they ever visit your website.
What Information Can You Add?
Your business listings should include accurate, complete, and up-to-date information. The more helpful your listing is, the easier it is for customers to contact you, visit your website, or choose your business over a competitor.
- Contact Information: Add your phone number, business address, service area, website link, and hours of operation, including holiday or special hours.
- Photos: Upload images of your building, office, logo, team, products, services, completed work, or events.
- Business Attributes: Highlight important details such as veteran-owned, women-owned, or other available business attributes.
- Special Offers: Share promotions, discounts, seasonal offers, or announcements to attract new customers.
- Website Link: Include a direct link to your website so visitors can learn more about your services.
- Customer Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews. Positive reviews help build trust and can improve your visibility in local search results.
- Service Options: List helpful options such as online appointments, estimates, delivery, pickup, or other service details.
- Business Description: Add a clear description of your business, what you offer, who you serve, and why customers should choose you.
Verification Process
After entering your business information, you will need to verify your listing. Verification helps Google and Bing confirm that your business is legitimate and that you are authorized to manage the listing.
Verification methods may vary. In some cases, you may receive a postcard with a verification code. Other options may include phone, email, video, or other verification steps. Once your listing is verified, it may take a few days before your updates appear publicly.
Managing Your Account
After your listing is live, it should not be ignored. Your Google Business Profile and Bing Places listing should be updated whenever your hours, services, contact information, photos, or offers change.
You can also add users, such as your web developer or marketing provider, to help manage your listing. This can be useful for updating information, posting offers, adding photos, and replying to customer reviews.
Keep Your Business Visible
Setting up and maintaining your Google Business Profile and Bing Places for Business listings is one of the most important steps in local online marketing.
These listings help customers find your business, contact you quickly, read reviews, view photos, and visit your website. When managed properly, they can improve your online visibility, build trust, and help bring more customers to your business.