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OFEA – Google Presentation

Why Google:

7.9 billion unique individuals live on the planet earth and 4.3 billion of them use Google to find answers on the internet.

Your Google My Business listing shows searchers where and how to visit your business. A Google Business Profile also improves your local SEO. In particular, a listing for a local business is more likely to appear when people search for a nearby business using Google Maps.

How to add or claim your Business Profile on Google

 

With Google Business Profile, you can:

  • Create or get access to a Business Profile on Google
  • Add and manage how your business information shows up across Google

Account is free with a business or personal google account.

How to Claim Your Listing: 

  • Go to Google.com/business
  • Log in to your gmail/google account that you want connected to the listing
    • If you don't have an account, you can sign up for free at accounts.google.com/signup
  • Find or add your business
    • It may pull down from the pull down menu if not you will have a chance to enter the business name
  • Once you've claimed your listing, you will build your business profile
    • If you have trouble claiming
  • Building the business profile
    • Be sure the business name is typed correctly
    • Choose the category that is closest to your business type
      • you can actually add up to 9 sub-categories
    • Since you are a festival, you will want customer foot traffic, so you will want to answer yes to the question "Do you want to add a location customers can visit like a store or office?"
    • Add your address (this is used for verification purposes)
    • You can add a service area
      • Keep in mind that you want to use the super power of the google listing - focused on local, don't add a service area over 100 miles.
    • Add business contact information
    • Choose a verification method
      • Phone
      • Postcard
        • Be aware that it doesn't actually look like a postcard.  It will look more like a W2 arriving by mail.
        • It will include a verification code

 

Sample of what the listing looks like when searching on Google.

 

 

Once your listing is verified, you can manage the profile through menu (nine small squared to the left of the icon) when you are logged into your Google/Gmail account.  Scroll through the menu to find the Business Profile icon.

 

How to use your listing: 

  • Include photos
  • post event(s)
  • post updates
  • post hours
  • link to your website

Tips:

  • Best practice is to post every 5 days.
  • Use photos with that include visitors enjoying your event
  • Don't use stock photos
  • Be aware of the photos that visitors are uploading and tagging to your event
    • If they aren't photos you like, add some of your own photos
  • Think about what your visitors will be searching for
    • directions
    • hours
    • additional events throughout your festival
  • Read and respond to questions
  • Read and respond to reviews
    • Comment to all reviews good and bad
      • Thanks for the great review!
      • Negative review - sample response "This is not the experience we want for our visitors, I want to protect your privacy, would you please respond to me privately so that we can further discuss the matter"  Be sure to include your email or a cell phone number.

 

Link to Google Map Example - Troy Strawberry Festival 

 

Other Free resources:

  • Ohio Find It Here website
    • free listing for your event
  • Community Calendars
  • Visitors Bureau

 

Download Claim Your Business Listing Handout.

 

Contact: 

Kathi Roetter

Troy Strawberry Festival

937-339-8769

kroetter@troyohiochamber.com

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