How To List Your Sign Business on Google Places

Where do you go when you want information about a business? The Yellow Pages? Probably not. Many people no longer use that media.

More than likely, you type the business name into a search engine, like Google or Yahoo! Then you find out not only the phone number, but also other information– like a facility photo, customer reviews and other key information. Much more breadth of information than you would have received from a phone book. So how about using that for your sign business? Whether you have a company web site or not, your business name needs to be visible when someone searches on your business name.

GOOGLE PLACE PAGE For example, how can you help your business name get listed on the Google results page? Google is the leading search engine, and your business needs to be visible on it. The answer is to set up a free Google “place page”. This is a cost-free business listing service from Google maps, and you should use it to promote your signage business.

GET YOUR SIGN BUSINESS LISTED – FREE

What are the steps to get this done? First, search for your business name on Google, and find out if your business already has a places page (even if you have not yet set up your own place page, Google will sometimes set up a default page for you.) Do this by searching on your business name followed by your city or town name, like “Acme Signs Minneapolis.” If you don’t see a place page listing for your business in the Google search results, then try your business name followed by your zip code, like “Acme Signs 55418.” If you still don’t see a place page listing, then your business is probably not listed in Google Places and you need to create a new one. If Google has created a default place page for your business, you’ll want to edit it and add more information. So go to this link and click “Get Started” under “Claim your business listing”: http://www.google.com/places You’ll need a free Google account to add or edit your place page listing, so create that now if you don’t already have one. Then, go in and input your Google Place information.

One tip – when Google wants to verify that you are the business owner by contacting you (either by mail or phone), select phone! The call comes in immediately and speeds along the setup process.

OPTIMIZE YOUR PLACE PAGE LISTING Then, once you’ve set up your basic page, optimize your Google places listing. Fill in the types of sign products you carry, your business hours, phone number, etc. By the way, if you have both an 800 number and a local phone number (with a local area code prefix), I’d suggest using the local number. That is an additional signal to Google that your business is local.

POST YOUR SIGN PROJECT PHOTOS Also, if you have photos of completed sign projects, post them! Use this free showcase to show your company capabilities. We have several photos of channel letters on the Direct Sign Wholesale place page, along with some other photos that Google pulled from our blog. You can also add videos. The description field gives you another opportunity to describe the types of signage you provide, along with your company attributes.

For example, you might say here “Dan’s Sign Company provides channel letter signs, monument signs, pole signs and pylon signs. We offer fast service, reasonable prices and professional installation.” Then publish your place page. Once you do, you’ll see on your page that it is an “owner-verified listing”. That gives your place page more credibility, since anyone viewing it will know that you have gone in and placed your own company information. That is better than the default info that Google will create for you, and the viewer will know the listed information is accurate. So use this excellent free promotional tool for your sign business. Using this tool does not guarantee your business name will appear on the search results page, but it helps. Put up your business sign on Google places.