While Google isn’t a social media channel (unless you’re using Google+), it’s essential to have an updated listing. What is a Google listing? When searching for your business on Google, this is the rectangular box on the right side of the screen (or at the top on mobile).

You want your listing to have updated contact information, hours, photos, and more, so people are able to find you and your channels easily.

To begin, you need to verify your business. To do this, visit google.com/business, click “START NOW,”, and follow the steps. It will ask you for your business name, address, category, phone, website, and more.

After this, you will reach a page where it prompts you to verify your business, which will be by a mailed postcard. Once you receive the postcard, you can log in and continue updating your listing. When signed in, you’ll see tabs for info, photos, and more and you can update them as much as possible. We suggest adding a brief business description, photos of your business and logo, hours of operation, and links to your website.

On the home page, you will also see a section for reviews. Customers have the opportunity to write reviews and add photos from their experiences at your business—yet another way to connect with them.

Updating your Google listing can be overwhelming, but we encourage you to explore the service and do what you can to get your accurate information on the web!

This article was published in the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce’s July 2018 edition of the VenangoWorks! Newsletter.