As a local business owner in Atlanta, you can’t ignore the value of a Google Maps Atlanta listing. Since its release in the mid-2000s, Google Maps has become an increasingly popular web-based navigation app. According to a survey conducted by The Manifest, smartphone users are six times more likely to use Google Maps than other navigation apps.

How a Google Maps Atlanta Listing Can Benefit Your Local Atlanta Business

Even if your local Atlanta business is doing just fine without Google Maps, getting it listed offers several benefits. Adding your local business to Google Maps helps customers find your business using the app’s turn-by-turn navigation. Google Maps doesn’t just display your local business’s address; it reveals the exact directions a customer needs to reach your local business from his or her current location.

With a Google Maps Atlanta listing, customers can leave a review of your local business. Leaving reviews on Google Maps is a quick and painless process. After pulling up your local business on the navigation app, customers can click the “Write a review” button to leave a review. Each positive review serves as a badge of confidence for prospective customers who are thinking about visiting your local business and purchasing its products or services.

Your local business will also benefit from increased credibility if it appears on Google Maps. If customers only see your competitors listed on Google Maps, they may view your local business with less credibility. After all, Google Maps is used by over 1 billion people each month, so every credible business should have a listing on it.

Check to See If Your Local Business Is Already Listed

Before adding your local business to Google Maps, you should check to see if it’s already listed on the navigation app. Google Maps doesn’t support duplicate listings. If someone else has already added your local business, you won’t be able to add it again.

Using either the Google Maps app on your mobile device or the desktop app at google.com/maps, enter your local business’s name in the search box. As you type in the search box, Google Maps will reveal any listings for that name. Assuming your local business isn’t listed on Google Maps, you’ll see a “No results found” or “Maps can’t find [BUSINESS]” message, depending on whether you’re using a mobile device or desktop computer.

2 Ways to Get Your Local Business Listed on Google Maps

There are two different ways to get your local business listed on Google Maps. You can either click the “Add a place” button and complete the form about your local business, or you can create a Google My Business listing. The former method is the easiest, but the latter method offers greater customization and control over your local business’s listing.

If you take the easy route by adding your local business through Google Maps, you won’t be able to claim your listing. In other words, other Google users can modify your listing without your consent.

What Is Google My Business?

Google My Business is a free service offered by Google that helps businesses manage their digital presence on Google Search and Google Maps. When you create a Google My Business listing, your local business will automatically appear on Google Maps. Furthermore, Google Search may include your local business in a special box, known as the local pack, for relevant local searches.

While you can always add your local business to Google Maps directly from the navigation app, it’s recommended that you create a Google My Business listing instead. Google My Business gives you complete control over your local business’s presence. You can change your local business’s hours of operation, upload new photos, respond to customer reviews, and more. Therefore, it’s recommended that you create a Google My Business listing to get your local business on Google Maps.

How to Create a Google My Business Listing

To create a Google My Business listing and get your local business on Google Maps, visit google.com/business and click the “Manage Now” button. In the “Business name” field, enter your local business’s name in its exact spelling and format. On the following page, you’ll be asked whether you want to add a location that customers can visit. For your local business to appear on Google Maps, you must select “Yes” for this option.

Next, enter your local business’s address. Google Maps will then ask if you sell to customers outside of this address. If you only serve local customers, choose “No, I don’t” and proceed to the next step.

You’re almost finished setting up your Google My Business listing. For the next section, you must choose a primary category that best describes your local business. Google My Business has hundreds of categories, many of which are very specific. You can always change your primary category or add secondary categories later, but try to choose the most relevant primary category when setting up your Google My Business listing. By choosing a highly relevant category, your local business is more likely to appear in Google Search’s local pack for relevant keywords.

Finally, you must enter your local business’s contact information, including its phone number and, if applicable, website address. Upon clicking the “Finish” button, your Google My Business listing will be live.

Don’t Forget to Verify Your Google My Business Listing

Of course, you should verify your newly created Google My Business to prevent other users from changing your local business’s information. Google supports several methods of verification, some of which include phone, email, and postcard. Of those supported methods, postcard is the most popular.

To verify your Google My Business listing, log in to your account and click the “Verify now” button. You can then choose your preferred method of verification.

Failure to get your local business listed on Google Maps will almost certainly cost you, customers. When users see your competitors listed on the navigation app, they’ll probably visit one of their establishments rather than your local establishment. The good news is you can add your local business to Google Maps by creating a Google My Business listing.