How Should I Set Up a New Business Location on Google?

Setting up a new business location on Google requires a careful and strategic approach to ensure approval and maximum local visibility. The best method involves using a different account or IP address for the initial listing, building consistent citations across platforms, creating a dedicated location page on your website, running a PR campaign, and finally linking the new location within your existing business profile.

Full Explanation

When expanding your business to a new location, simply adding it directly from your main Google account may raise flags or reduce the chances of approval. Instead, start by creating the new business location on Google using a separate account or from a different IP address or device outside your main location. This means setting it up on another computer or mobile phone that is not physically linked to your main business address.

After entering all your business details for the new location, the next step is to establish citations on various relevant platforms like Yelp, Facebook, Yellow Pages, and similar directories. Consistency is key here — the name, address, and phone number (NAP) of the new location must be identical across all these listings to build trust and verify authenticity.

Another important factor in boosting local SEO for the new branch is creating a dedicated location page on your own website. This page should clearly provide all the details of the new location, such as address, contact info, and any specific services offered there. For instance, if your original business is in Milwaukee and you are opening a branch in Chicago, you should have a landing page specifically for the Chicago location.

To make the new location appear genuine and well-established, you can also run a PR campaign that highlights the expansion. This adds further credibility and can improve your local search presence.

Lastly, once all these steps are underway, you should add the new location within your existing Google business account. This is considered the safest and most effective way to manage multiple locations, increasing the likelihood that the new listing will be approved by Google and properly connected to your overall business profile.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Create the new Google business profile for the location: Use a different Google account or a different IP address by working on another computer or mobile device that isn’t associated with your current business address.
2. Enter all required details: Fill in every relevant field accurately for the new location’s listing.
3. Build citations: Register your new business location on platforms such as Yelp, Facebook pages, and Yellow Pages. Ensure consistent NAP across all sites.
4. Develop a dedicated location page: Add a webpage on your official business website specifically for the new location, with full address and contact information.
5. Run a PR campaign: Promote the new location’s opening through press releases or online announcements to enhance legitimacy.
6. Add the new location to your main Google business account: Once the other groundwork is laid, incorporate the new location into your existing business profile to consolidate your presence.

Real Examples

Imagine you already have a business in Milwaukee and are expanding into Chicago. Initially, you wouldn’t add the Chicago location from your Milwaukee IP or Google account. Instead, you’d create the Chicago Google listing from an alternate device or account. You would then build citations by listing the Chicago address and phone on Yelp, Facebook, and Yellow Pages with exactly the same information. Simultaneously, you’d add a dedicated Chicago landing page on your website. To further authenticate the new presence, a PR campaign could announce your expansion. Finally, once these steps are done, you’d add Chicago as a new location under your basic Milwaukee Google business account.

Common Mistakes

• Creating a new location listing directly from your original business account and IP address, which can lead to rejection.
• Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across various citation platforms.
• Omitting a dedicated landing page for the new location on your website.
• Neglecting to run any supporting PR or promotional activity to establish the location’s credibility.
• Failing to properly connect the new location back to your existing Google business profile.

FAQs

Q: Why use a different account or IP to create the new location?
A: Using a different account or IP helps avoid detection of duplicate listings or spam by Google, increasing the chance of approval.

Q: What is the importance of citations in this process?
A: Citations across platforms like Yelp, Facebook, and Yellow Pages help verify the new location’s existence and build trust with search engines.

Q: Should I create a location page on my website for the new business site?
A: Yes, creating a dedicated landing page with complete details strengthens local SEO and helps potential customers find relevant information.

Q: How does a PR campaign aid the new location setup?
A: A PR campaign makes the expansion look authentic and credible, which supports Google’s verification process and improves local visibility.

Q: When should I add the new location to my existing Google business profile?
A: After creating citations, setting up a website page, and running PR, add the new location safely into your main business account for best results.

Key Takeaways

• Always create a new business location listing on Google from a separate account or IP to increase approval chances.
• Ensure NAP consistency by building citations on multiple trusted platforms.
• Create a dedicated and detailed location page on your website for the new branch.
• Consider running a PR campaign to authenticate and promote the new location.
• Finally, add the new location under your existing Google business profile to centralize management and improve credibility.