One Thing You Must Do Online If You Have a Business [whether or not you have a website]

Let’s say you need to find a new dentist because your tried and true, been-there-forever dentist has retired.

You turn to your friend google and type “dentist near me” in the search bar.

Or maybe you’re on your way to a family reunion 4 hours away. Half way there you get groggy and need a cup of coffee to perk you up for the rest of the drive. “Hey Siri, find a coffee shop on my route.”

What happens when you see a listing where there’s missing or incomplete information? Do you choose that search result?

Probably not.

What about the search result with clear colorful pictures and complete contact information? I’d be more likely to pick that one for sure.

Now let’s talk about your own business. You most likely already have a listing on google or bing. Even if you’re completely unaware of it. Your automatic listing could be giving new people an undesirable first impression if you’ve never managed it.

Here’s the critical first step to developing a healthy online presence (and its free!):

CLAIM your business listings.

Go to google.com and bing.com and search for your own business. When you see the listing (and its there. Creepy, I know. But its also to thank for directing customers to you) click “own this business” and follow the directions.

In most cases this is a simple process. If by chance there has been incorrect info submitted previously or someone else had tried to claim your listing, you may have a few extra hoops to jump through, but in general, you should immediately or within the week have access to completing your contact info, uploading current photos of your location and products/services, and adding various other details.

On the possibility that you don’t have time for this task with everything else you are juggling as a business owner, or the off-chance that yours is one of the listings that has some extra complexity in the claiming process, CS Design is here for you. We are an extension of your team whenever you need us. Just call or email to let us know what you need. We’re ready to help you out.