I’m sure that you’ve Googled a business name and seen a nice looking sidebar pop-up on the Google Search Results page with the Company’s Name, their Logo, address and contact information with a description of what they do and possibly a list of star rating reviews of the company.
This is called a Google Knowledge Panel. It’s pretty nifty. Want to know how to get a Google Knowledge Panel for your business or website? (Or, want to know how to correct your company’s Google Knowledge Panel?) Well, read on!
The First step is simple and solves an age-old existential question, tell Google you exist.
Step 1: How to tell Google that your business exists.
While this might seem simple at first – they’ve added a few more steps that involve verification and due diligence on your part.
Step 1 A: Open a Google Account for your business.
This involves getting a business gmail account. Never use gmail? No problem, you can forward your gmail emails to the email account you use, and you can associate other email accounts with your Google account. Open your Google Account here.
Step 1 B: Determine if you can register with Google My Business.
Google My Business is a way for Google to help local businesses with a physical location get found in Google search and Google maps.
Signing your company up for Google My Business is easy
Does my business have a physical location where we meet with customers, or do we travel to meet with customers?
YES
If your business has a physical location where customers can come to you and do business OR, if you leave your business location to regularly meet with customers or perform a delivery or service for customers then you can sign up for a Google My Business account.
Make sure that you are verified by Google My Business! Google verifies companies by sending a code on a postcard in the mail to your physical mailing address. This cannot be a PO Box, it must be a physical USPS registered mailing address.
If your business meets the criteria above, then you can start a Google My Business Account.
NO
But wait – I don’t have a brick & mortar, I’m only online.
If you’re an online only business, then you cannot sign up for a Google My Business account.
There is only one way for online only companies to get their own Google Knowledge Panel, and that’s by having the right kind of Google Structured Data and/or Schema.org microdata programmed into your company’s website.
You can also set up a Google Brand Account.
If you need help setting up your Google Account – this is our speciality at Stormcrow Digital.
Learn more about improving your business’ SEO and Google presence in the next post in this series – Part 2 – Improving Your Google My Business Listings for SEO
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