Why This Matters
Google My Business is a free and easy-to-use tool for businesses and organizations to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. To help customers find your business, and to tell them your story, you can verify your business and edit your business information.
Google My Business works similar to how Yellow Pages used to. People can phone you, find your website, or learn more about what you do through this listing. When searching for businesses, Google My Business is a critical search engine tool and a foundational piece for your online presence especially if you provide a local service or product. Google My Business also supports multiple locations for franchises.
Note: if someone is calling you about your Google My Business listing – ignore the call. This is best done on your own. You need to be in control of your listing.
Note: When you set up your Google My Business they send you a verification card in the mail (this may be changing soon) but they have done so to verify that this is indeed your mailing address. Also, sometimes someone else has claimed the address OR you have moved (which means you have to reclaim).
Resources
Google My Business Help – A step-by-step guide for getting started, including a library full of helpful videos and tutorials.
How to edit an existing Google My Business listing – How to edit your listing.
Improving your Google My Business – The ultimate guide to improving your Google My Business listing.
Creating your Google My Business Description – Steps to create your Google My Business description (tourism focused but some great suggestions).
Optimizing your Google My Business – Google My Business optimizations to rank higher in local search.