Google Search, Maps, and My Business: How Often Do You Review Your Business Listings?

Why a Current Business Profile Matters

Keeping your business website fresh with up-to-date information for your current and potential customers is a marketing strategy no-brainer. But how often do you review and update your Google Business listing for accuracy?

Does it contain any typographical errors? Does Google show your business in the correct business category, so potential customers can find you easily? Are your hours of operation and business phone number current? How about your business address? Has your business moved at any time? If you purchased from a previous owner, is your name listed in Google as the new business owner?

If you rarely review your Business Profile, or not at all (or aren't even sure you have a Business Profile!), you may be losing countless potential customers to your competitors. Shoppers are 50% more likely to buy from establishments displaying a complete and current Google Business Profile. Let them know you're there.

Each month, over 15 million edits are made to business profiles on Google. There's more reason to do so now since the pandemic. Customers need to have current business information, such as any COVID-related safety requirements or any change/no change in business hours, and, if applicable, if you provide home delivery. Besides an up-to-date map location displayed with a physical address and business hours, your listing should include your business category, website URL, phone number, and perhaps even an email address.

Adding and Editing

In addition to adding or editing in either website and mobile versions of Google My Business, Google makes it possible to add a post, upload a photo, reply to your customers' reviews of your business, and change your business information within your Search profile or Maps profile. Once you sign in to your account, to update Google Maps, click your profile's picture and choose "Your Business Profile" to access the update tools. For Google Search updates, either search for "my business" or do a lookup of your business by name.

Recently, Google added additional free tools for use with Google Search and Google Maps. These will help you to measure your performance, as well as learning how to further the online presence of your business. The performance page has been redesigned, with metrics updated monthly.

Listing Your Business on Google

If you haven't been using Google yet for your business, it's possible your business already has a profile, waiting to be claimed by you. If you find your business has no profile, all you have to do is add one. After you claim or add a business profile, the next step is verifying your business profile. Once verified, your business will show up in these Google products, where your future loyal customers will find you.

More Information

For more information, see Google's website on how to:

• Set up a Google Business Profile using your computer, Android device, or iPhone/iPad
• Claim or add your business through Google My Business or Google Maps
• Edit your Google Business Profile