Free listings can’t be beat, especially from Google, the Internet’s most powerful and popular search engine.
How many times have you looked up “plumber” or “pizza” online, and above a host of links, Google has a handy map with all of those plumbers and pizza joints pin-pointed and links to their business address. Not only does Google list these businesses at the top of their searches, but also these listings are free!
Listing with Google is a simple process, and can give your studio the professional look and appeal with some great features Google offers in their listings. Here’s how to list:
- Go to http://www.google.com/local/add to start your listing.
- Start with entering your business’ basic information, including:
- Company/Organization: This is the official/registered name of your business.
- Address: Enter your address the same way it would appear on a paper mail envelope.
- Phone number: Make sure to include the area code with your business phone number.
- Website: Make sure to list your authoritative business website as your homepage, since Google uses information from your homepage to help improve search results. The URL you provide can be a maximum of 255 characters.
- Description: Tell users what makes your business special.
- Email address: Let users know how to contact you.
- Classify your business into categories. Google matched my business with “Music Instruction” and “Piano Instructor”, but I added keywords such as “Voice Teacher” and “Voice Lessons” to further clarify for a search. Make sure that the categories you choose are accurate and describe your business well. It’s ok if they’re specific; Google’s search algorithm makes sure that users looking for a general business type, like ‘book stores,’ will see businesses in more specific categories too.
- Additional information includes:
- Hours of operation Let customers know when your business is open.
- Payment options specify the payment types you accept.
- Photos/Videos including photos and video adds visual appeal to your listing.
- Your listing will be submitted only after entering a PIN number provided by Google. They will contact the number provided on the listing to communicate your pin.
- Once listed, you will be able to edit your current listing, include printable coupons for your business, and follow searches and hits to your listing on your dashboard.
About the Author
Nebraska native Sarah Luebke completed her MM in vocal performance at the University of Kentucky, and her BM in vocal performance at St. Olaf College. Recently she has been seen performing the female lead, Jane McDowell, in "The Stephen Foster Story" and the ensemble of "Big River" with Stephen Foster Productions. Other performances include the soprano soloist of Bach's St. John Passion, La Fee in Massenet's "Cendrillon" at the Intermezzo Opera Festival, Najade in "Ariadne auf Naxos" at the Brevard Music Festival, Monica in "The Medium", Rose Maybud in "Ruddigore", and Fiordiligi in "Cosi fan tutte". She currently resides with her husband in Florida, teaching a studio of 40 students and auditioning and performing locally.
My reasoning was that I teach out of my condo and didn't want my private address to be public. Also, I'm not completely sure if home businesses are allowed in my condo complex. (I believe my township allows them, and I haven't heard that they're forbidden in the condo complex, but I'm afraid to ask.)
How do you and others feel about the privacy issues here? Does anyone else have zoning problems to consider? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
by Catherine K. Brown — Tue Jul 21, 2009 @ 11:29 am
You've raised a great point! This option for advertising is not for everyone. Security is quite important when advertising your home business. I work out of my townhouse, and when advertising publicly, I do not give out my townhouse number, only the street address. Students who have a scheduled appointment and speak with me will receive the full address and directions before the lesson. One of the first things I did before moving into my current townhouse was to make sure I could run lessons out of my home. I had already been teaching for several years, and since I began teaching full time out of my home, I needed to make this was allowed. I have found the Google listing to be helpful getting my studio name out there, so it works for me. But I think it is smart to consider if a public listing could shut your business down because of zoning laws and condo codes. Good luck!
by Sarah Luebke — Tue Jul 21, 2009 @ 11:59 am
by Stephanie — Tue Aug 18, 2009 @ 9:45 am