PART III – Setting up the Google Local Business Account

Go To Part I
Go To Part II

To take advantage of Google Local Search, go to Google Local Business Center and Login if you already have a Google Account. If you don’t have an account with Google, go ahead and create one when you get to the login page.

Once you’re logged in, click on “Add New Business”.

Then simply begin to add your business information. Pay particular attention to two areas.

In the “Company/Organization:” field, you’ll put your firms name.

Google does not want you to add any other information there. But I’ll be honest – much of your competition is.

They are adding key terms to the business/organization name field.

This is what the Company/Organization field would like if your firms name was the “Law Offices of Walter Thompson”

Walter Thompson Law Offices

But this is what your competition will occasionally do – the example shown is for a Criminal Defense Attorney in Abilene, Texas.

Walter Thompson Law Offices: Abilene Texas Criminal Defense Attorney

This keyword stuffing is against Google’s Terms of Service and could get you kicked out Google’s Local Business Listings.

I’ll leave it up to you to decide what Business/Organization info you wish to to use.

The second area that’s vital is the Description Field. Make sure the description of your practice includes your City, State, and as many of your important practice areas that will fit.

Now click “Next”

If Google already has a listing set up for you practice, they’ll show it and ask if you want to claim it (do it), or you’ll be led to the next page.

You’ll then have the chance to complete the rest of the information fields – complete all that apply to you. One that I like is the “Categories” field. There you can add practice areas that are important to your firm.

So, If you’re a criminal lawyer, you’d enter terms such as “DUI Lawyer”, “Criminal Defense”, etc. At last look, you could add up to five categories.

And if you have small images or even a YouTube video, do that as well.

The last step is the Google verification process. You have two options. One, you can choose to have Google mail you a postcard with the PIN you need. Or, you can choose to have them call you with their automated system.

Choose the call feature because their postcard system can take up to 6 weeks to process. The call verification can make the process move much quicker – I’ve seen businesses listed in as little as a couple of days. Just make sure you’re at the phone number you use for your business because the phone will ring immediately.

That’s all there is to it.

When you’re phone starts ringing a little more….you’ll know why.

P.S. – Next, I’ll show you how to set up Yahoo Business Listings