Overview: Many people use Google Maps to find businesses and get directions online. It’s a great place to list your storefront business. If your business is not on Google Maps, you can add it quickly and easily. If your business already appears on Google Maps, you can take charge of the listing and update it to include additional information for your customers. You can put your business on the map with Google Maps.

Before You Start: You have a storefront business.

Learning Level: 2 | Getting Started

You can put your business on the map with Google Maps.

Google Maps Business Listings

Online maps have been a popular feature for many years, with MapQuest in the lead position. However, in 2009, Google Maps beat Mapquest as the most popular online mapping service. Google Maps offers many services, including:

• View a map, street view (video), or satellite image of a destination.
• Search for places and businesses on the map.
• Save locations you visit frequently.
• View a list of businesses located near a destination.
• Mobile access to mapping information.

Google Maps business listings include a wide range of information. Some of these may not be appropriate for your business. Take a few minutes to line up these resources before you start adding your business to Google Maps.

• Daily hours listing.
• Payment options.
• Up to 10 business photos.
• Up to 5 videos listed on YouTube.
• Additional information, such as parking, services, and email address.

You can add this information when you create your business listing, or you can add them later.

Add Your Business To Google Maps

Is your business on Google Maps? Do a quick search. If your business is not already listed, here’s how to add it.

1. Go to the Google Local Business Center.
2. Click Add A New Business.
3. Fill out the business information form. As you type the address information, you see Google locate your business on the map.
4. As you type the categories, Google looks up categories that match your typing. You must use at least one of Google’s suggested categories. You may also create one custom category.
5. Click Next.
6. Google performs a search of existing businesses to look for your business and displays a list of potential matches. If one of these is your business, click Claim Listing and jump to the next section of this blog post.
7. If your business is not in the list of potential matches, locate your newly created business listing near the bottom of this page and click Add Listing.
8. Google starts creating your business listing and gives you the option to add additional information.
9. Click Submit.
10. Google asks for your preferred verification method. You must verify your business listing either by phone or mail. Select your verification method.
11. Click Finish.

Claiming Your Business Listing

If your business already appears on Google Maps but you did not add it, Google gives you the option to claim the listing. This allows you to edit and enhance your business listing. You can update your listing with hours, payment information, photos, videos, and any additional information appropriate for your business.

1. Locate your business on Google Maps and click More Info (in the pop-up or the description). Or, do a search for your business (see #6 above) and click Claim Business.
2. Google displays a full page business description.
3. In the blue bar at the top, click Business Owner?
4. Google takes you to the Local Business Center page for claiming your business listing.
5. Choose the action to take on this listing and click Continue.
6. Google displays the business information form with the existing data. You can edit or add to this information.
7. Click Submit.
8. Google asks for your preferred verification method. You must verify your business listing either by phone or mail. Select your verification method.
9. Click Finish.

After the verification, you can update your Google Map listing at any time.

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Your turn: Is your business listed on Google Maps? Did you list it yourself, or did you claim the existing listing? Share what you have learned here.

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