How to claim your business on Google, Yelp to help your business succeed

This is important… Not just to get you more business, but also to ensure your place doesn’t get hijacked. Read about how this restaurant went out of business when someone hijacked their Google place.  Follow the easy steps below to get your place, increase your visibility online and stay in control of your information.

Step 1: Claim Google+

1. Go here: http://www.google.com/business/
2. Click “Sign In” or “Get on Google”
3. Choose your biz type
4. Locate your business by address or click “I’ve correctly entered the name and address” to create a new business if Google doesn’t know about it.
5. Answer all the questions.
6. Google will either call your phone number to verify you own this location, or they will mail you a postcard with a special number on it. Use this number to verify your ownership!
7. Remember your login credentials!‍
8. Setup 2-step verification on your account so it doesn’t get hacked!

Step 2: Claim Yelp

1. Go here: https://biz.yelp.com/login
2. Click “Claim your business”
3. It will prompt you to enter a business name and address… often, you will already be on Yelp. Just click the “Claim” button next to your business and follow the instructions. If not, click “Add your business to Yelp” at the bottom.
4. Fill out the info for your business and get listed!
5. Use a STRONG password… meaning a long password… like “ThisisaGREATpassword!!”

Step 3: Ask for reviews!

1. Ask folks to review you.
2. Once you have some stars, Google will begin to show your rating on the map!!
3. Yelp is more difficult. Only frequent yelpers will show up as “valid” ratings, but still ask.  You will get stars eventually!
4. Over time, it will add up and you will be better able to show off your excellent service to the world!