Here are the steps to getting listed on Google:
- For reference, the Google My Business support center is located here.
- In this day and age, the majority of businesses are already listed on Google. If you see your credit union branches already listed, this may have happened because you, a former employee, or a member already listed it.
Before you begin: Make sure to check that no one else currently at your institution has an active account used to manage locations, as having access to that account could expedite this process.
Step 1: Visit google.com/business.
Step 2: Click Start Now at the top right corner of the page. NOTE: they do provide a phone number (1-844-491-9665) you can call and walk through setting things up with a contract employee. The experience varies depending upon who you speak with, but if you’d prefer to do that over following the steps below, that is an option.
Step 3: Sign in – mostly likely, you’ll want to use a CU account. You can create a login by choosing Create An Account on the login screen.
- If you create an account with your credit union email, you may be asked to verify via an SMS text, then an email, or just via email.
- Once you click the activation link in the email, you’ll be able to log in to your My Business account.
Step 4: Once you’re logged in, you’ll see a map form at the top left (see picture to right here). Enter your branch information in the first field.
Step 5: As you type, suggestions for possible matches will appear. If you see your business, select it from the suggestions.
Step 6: Complete the rest of the fields, then click Continue.
Step 7: If you get an alert saying “Someone else has already verified this listing” skip down to the bottom of this section.
Step 8: You’ll get messaging asking to confirm that you want to manage that business (branch) on Google:
Step 9: Next, you’ll be asked to confirm you want the verification code via mail (this is the only option) – click “Mail”.
Step 10: They will confirm a postcard is being sent and that you should expect it in 1-3 weeks. That said, Google does tell us that the postcard usually arrives within 5 business days. You can also add a contact name to make sure your mailroom can route the postcard correctly.
Step 11: Click to accept the confirmation, and you’ll be taken to your Google My Business dashboard. The dashboard, once verification goes through, will be a big help in terms of listings management.
Step 12: From this single dashboard, as you claim and verify all your branches, they will appear within the same interface. You can also add additional users if you want your team to have access as well. If someone has already verified your listing, you may see a pop-up alert telling you this. If so, contact that person or follow the Account Recovery steps linked in Google My Business.
Next, you’ll be asked to put in your information – and whether you’d like to share information with the current owner. For credit unions, 99.99% of the time the previous owner is someone who was or is in-house.
Google sends the existing verified owner an alert. If that person does not respond within the next 7 days, Google will then let you request to verify the listing via the above described postcard method.
Repeat all these steps with each of your branch locations.