Step 1

Copy and paste the address below in your web address bar to set up a new Google account or to login to your existing account.
(If you need to sign up for a new account please return to Step 1 when finished)
Copy and paste this web address into your browser http://places.google.com/business

(For complete screenshots please download our PDF)

Step 2

If your business is listed click the “edit” button or just click on the “add a new listing” button.

Step 3

You should be at the Basic Information page. Note: I recommend using a local number vs. an 800 number and using an email from your website like Bennette@justrealmarketing.com instead of a free email address.

Note: Add 10 photos. This is an important step that many businesses overlook. You give your prospects an opportunity to see what you offer without clicking on your website. Take advantage of this opportunity to make your business shine by avoiding this costly mistake.

Hot tip: Before uploading your pictures, go back and rename them with your keywords. For example your keyword is Houston Italian restaurant. Picture#1 is the exterior of your location and you might name it Houston Italian restaurant, picture #2 is the interior of your restaurant and you might name it Italian restaurant Houston, picture #3 can be a plate of your pasta dish and you call it Houston Fettuccine Alfredo pasta etc. I think you get the point.

Step 4

Hot tip: Videos are a must. People love visual and many will click to see a video before they read. You can take your pictures, turn them into a slide show, add some music and viola, you have a video.

Your videos don’t have to be high cost production. Due to the popularity of YouTube, some of the best videos are made by amateurs like us with a flip camera or cell phone. So whip out you camera and get going.

Continue completing the Basic Information page. Note: Your videos will have to be uploaded to YouTube, your website or a free video hosting site to allow you to a have url (website address) to link to Google.

Step 5

If your listing just needs updating, you may be one of the lucky ones that are offered the phone option, but for most businesses, Google has gone to the postcard verification. Now if you do get lucky with the phone option, Google will call your business number and you must be able to answer the phone. Otherwise, just select the postcard option and move on.

To learn the SECRETS to getting ranked on number one with Google Places please download our FREE Google Places Guide.