What Is Google Local?

Ever type something into the Google search box for a particular city? When the results came up, there were a few listings right beside a map at the top of the page - those are Google Local listings.

Many florists are unaware that registering & claiming your Google Local Listing is free and controlling your information is beneficial. Since Google pulls information from many different sources, you may find that Google has "holes" in their data about your shop. It is important that Google has your updated information and that it comes from YOU. Unclaimed listings can be claimed by others who might not put your best foot forward. Your Google Local listing is also another platform for marketing.

Controlling local information is a free way to get the word out about your flower shop which is why Flower Shop Network wants you to know how to claim your shop's Google Local listing.

How To Claim Your Google Local Listing

To help you get started, FSN has created a quick summary of how to claim your Google Local listing.  As a visual guide to walk you through the setup, view the gallery of screen shots below these instructions. (To view the full screen shot, simply double click on the picture you would like to see.)

**Note: You will need a Google account to create a Google Local Listing. If you do not have one, skip below to the section called "Creating A Google Account" then return to the Google Local Listing section**

First, go to the Google Local Business Center home screen. Here you will input your Google account login information. Sign in as if you were signing into your email account. Enter your email address (for your Google Account) and password then click "sign in".

*If you do NOT have a Google account, you MUST have one to proceed. See section below titled "Creating A Google Account".

Next, you will see two buttons with options for how to proceed. Click "add new business" to claim your listing. Your email address will be posted at the top right of each screen along with several other prompts. This is standard and will not affect your listing. If you do NOT see your information at the top of each screen, you are not logged in or could be logged in using an incorrect address. Verify this information on this screen as it will not change through the rest of the screens.

Next is the information form.  Here you will be asked to enter your company/organization name, physical street address (no P.O. Box addresses)*, city, state, 5 digit zip code, main phone number, PRIMARY email address**, PRIMARY website***, and a description**** of your shop and services. Click "next" once accurate information has been entered into all boxes. You will be returned to this screen if any invalid information is listed.

*Since Google Local listings are based on physical address you will be asked to enter this information. Entering accurate address information is crucial in later steps. A second address line is provided for your suite number or similar information if applicable.

**Alternate email addresses can be added in a later screen.

***Enter your Flower Shop Network website address where it says "website". If you also have other websites, you will be able to add these in a later screen.

****Your description is very important. This will list along with your shop's information. Do not list the name of your flower shop here. Instead, list the CITY and STATE where your shop is located along with a list of your specialties. For example, "Miami FL florist delivering unique flower arrangements for all occasions. Specializing in wedding flowers, funeral flowers and balloon bouquets." Of course, tailor this to  your shop.

If any unclaimed Google Local listings exist that are similar to the information you have provided, Google Local will provide these results on the next screen. If the physical address matches or is outdated address information for your shop but the results are the same, click "claim listing" next to the previous entry. Do not worry about having to re-enter any information. Google Local will replace the information in the old listing with the information you have just provided. If you do not see a similar result click "add listing."

A pop-up screen will come up once you click "claim listing." This is simply asking you to verify that you are wishing to claim that listing and that you have ownership to do so. Once again, simply click "claim listing" if the information in the pop-up is accurate.

The next screen will ask you to "edit" or "suspend" working with your Google Local listing. Click "edit" which will continue you to a screen that allows you to enter much more information such as photos, videos, additional websites, more specialties and other helpful information for potential customers.

The next screen will ask you to fill out your category information. If you are a florist or a flower shop put "florist" or "flower shop". If you specializing in "wedding flowers" put "wedding shop" or something similar. Proceed like this until your shop has been assigned to a category for all of your specialties. This helps Google Local index your shop and pull up your results faster when those specific categories or terms are searched.

Just below that is a section asking for your operating hours. Here you will list the hours of operation, Monday through Sunday, that your shop is open. You can choose not to list this information if you wish.  If you do wish to edit this information, click the round button next to "my operating hours are" which will unlock the hours boxes.

If you have split hours on any day, click the round button next to "my operating hours are" then click the square box at the bottom of the section that says "I'd like to enter two sets of hours for a single day." This will open a separate set of boxes (but keep any previously entered information) that will allow you to enter your split hours.

If you'll notice, clicking "my operating hours are" will list those hours underneath the map at the bottom. They disappear when you click "I do not wish to display my 0perating hours."

The next section on the page lists payment options. Here you can fill out whether you accept certain credit cards and electronic funds transfers (such as Paypal) or prefer check/cash.

Below the payment section are sections for photos and videos. You are not required to upload any information here but may upload any photos of your shop or arrangements that you think will be helpful. You may also upload YouTube videos of your shop if you would like. This is a fun place for customers to be able to quickly view the outside of your store. That way, it will be easily recognizable when they visit for a gift!

Below those sections is a section called "additional details" which is one of the most important boxes on the page. This is where you will add any additional information about your shop such as flower delivery to the areas you serve. You can also add option web sites addresses in this area. Once all information has been entered on this page, click "submit" below "additional details." You may enter several of these details by click "add another" below the box form.

To enter data here, input the type of information you are listing in the first box and then the specifics in the next. For example, [Flower Delivery To] : [Miami, Florida] or [Unique Gifts] : [Thomas Kinkade Mugs]

The next screen will give you options for how to validate your listing. This simply proves to Google that you are not a spammer and that you do indeed own the business which you are claiming. You have two options:  phone or postcard. The fastest way to claim your listing is to validate it by phone. To do this, click the round button next to the phone icon. Make sure that the information shown is accurate and then click "Finish" at the bottom of the screen.

Google will call you shortly with a 5 digit PIN which you will be asked to enter in a later screen. If you choose to validate by postcard, you will have to come back to the screen and place the pin number in the box provided.

Next you will see a screen that lists the listings for which you have entered information. Wait for your PIN then enter it in the box provided. That's it!

Creating A Google Account

It is very quick and easy to create a Google account. You will need a phone that receives text messages to confirm your account registration. If you do not have one, Google suggests borrowing one from a friend or coworker (seriously!). If you have entered an alternate email account, you may be asked to confirm your registration by clicking on a link inside an email that is automatically sent to your non-Google account.

This is the first screen that you should see. There is a box under the sign-in section that says "Do Not Have A Google Account?" Click the link below this that says "Create an account now." This will take you to a new screen that asks for additional information.

The next screen will ask for your current email address. You will also be asked to create a password and re-enter it. Re-entering the password helps make sure that no typos were entered which will make logging in more smoothly later. Since only dots appear, you could think you are typing "dogbreath" and are actually typing "dgobreath". Re-entering the password catches this if the passwords are not entered exactly the same both times.

The password that you enter here should be at least 8 characters. A "safer" password usually includes both numbers and letters. There is a gauge at the side that shows "strong" or "weak" as you are typing your desired password. Google will accept the password only when it reads "Strong" (is 8 characters or more).

You will also be asked to enter your location and a verification word called a "captcha." "Captchas" let Google know that you are not a real person instead of a computer. (Spammers use computer programs to automatically enter form information. They cannot read captchas.)

You may wish to read the terms of service. Google will ask you to verify that you agree to them. After entering all of the information, click "I accept. Create my account."

Now you will be asked to verify your location. Simply choose yours from the drop down box. You will also be asked to enter your mobile phone number in the standard 10 digit format. Google will send a text message containing a verification PIN to this number. If you do not have a mobile phone, see "I don't have a mobile phone, can I sign up?" at the bottom of the screen. They strongly suggest borrowing a friend's phone. Once your phone number has been entered (either 555-555-5555 or 1234567890 format), click "send activation code to my mobile phone." Google is very good about sending this code quickly. In fact, you will usually receive the confirmation number within a matter of seconds.

The next screen will show the mobile phone number where the text was sent. It will also have a bar where you will enter your confirmation PIN. Enter the code here then click "verify." This will take you to a confirmation screen.

If you do not see the right phone number, click the back button on your browser or "backspace" on  your keyboard and re-enter your correct mobile phone number.

Next is the confirmation screen. This will tell you that your account has been verified and list a few features of your new Google account. Now you are able to claim your Google Local listing!

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 30th, 2009 at 9:24 am and is filed under Florists Only. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.