Surprisingly Easy Online Marketing Starting with Google

Free online marketing for Startups and Small Business  
starting with Google My Business

If you haven't read Part one of this series I encourage you to check it out! See 'How to Get Free Online Marketing For Startups' under Categories Right column of Bee's Blog. I have been asked to share a bit more detail about Google My Business before going on to the other free online marketing tools for Startups...so here goes ...

Let's visit Google-land
Disclaimer... ok so 'Google land' is powerful tool made by Google Maps but we are not covering that today...forgive my little playful use of words and feel free to Google that yourself but for Google My Business set ups read on here....

 There is so much on offer in 'Google-land'  (Google Land being a good case in point) lots for you to improve your web presence and the best bit? Do it for free! We touched on Google My Business in the first post so here is a bit more on getting there.

Google My Business - it's a business essential!
It's a free online business listing... on GOOGLE and if Google say it's a 'Business Essential' then it must be true!  If you haven't done this for your business even after reading my Part I in this series Just do it already and don't let having a work from home or online business stop you ...more on that next post!

Show people you are open for business. Reach your customers when they are using Google Search, Google Maps or Google+. Make it easy to be found! When customers are searching online for your business, the listing appears with a map, opening hours, address and reviews. Give them the right information (which you control) and most importantly that clickable phone number they can call you from smartphones.

If you already have a Google account just sign in OR if not, create one (read my first post for links), search your business name on the map Add your Business. Now when it says you're a nobody until your business is on Google .. just swallow your pride and follow the prompts. 

Three simple steps (you already did one step by looking for your business on the map) fill in the form..then the second step is to 'VERIFY'.

You can apply for verification by using either phone, email, bulk or even instant verification but the most common would be the postcard method (Google simply posts you a special code). Some businesses will qualify to receive a phone call to verify but for this post we will cover postcard method. 

It's as easy as requesting a 'postcard' ... sort of like when you're doing online banking or anything that has a one-time pin and you can't log in until you get that special code the company or bank sends you via an authorised device, this works the same way. Go back to Google (the postcard will have URL and instructions) enter in the code you are sent and you're already at the final step. 

Last but not least- the verification
Verify steps... when your postcard arrives, it will have a unique verification code just for your business along with 3 steps process so your business will be on Google.  

Once you’ve followed the steps, enter the code to get verified, you might see a banner saying you need to do a bit more to finish the process. Simply review  all of your information (hours, phone and website etc) and when done you might see 'pending' again this could take another 3 days but generally a lot quicker than that. Don't make any changes just wait for the approval.

Google for Business make is so easy there are help guides, a video and that can all be found here if you need more help during the process or if you have questions before you start visit Google help on this here.

Do you work from Home or have a business where you don't want to advertise your home address?

 Having a virtual business myself I also faced this dilemma when setting up online as I didn't want my address listed however there is a way to list without your home address so don't be dismayed! Tune into my next Post in this series to find out how.

Other posts in this series to look forward to include; Google Reviews, What to do with your new Google My Business business ​​and how to best utilise the tagging and location features once you have set your business up on Google My Business. 

There's a lot more on offer for small businesses so stay tuned for future posts where we will cover even more free online tools and platforms.

​If you have any questions or would like a quote for your business marketing please make contact via email deb@beefree.com.au 

Comments or questions below or leave a Google Review

Follow Bee Free on Google+ and follow brand pages.

---

Get other Top Tips on Social Media Marketing follow Bee Free's Linkedin Social Media Page (link below) and other Social accounts to get the latest online marketing hacks for business, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other updates to boost your business online.

---