Check if your business is already listed. Go to maps.google.com and do a search for your business name and location. For example, I would type into the search bar: “pet store, chicago il 60623” if I was looking for a local pet store. Unless your business is fairly new, you should already have some sort of listing, but it might need to be updated. Note that you must be logged into your Google Account to add or edit information!
Claim Your Business. If your business is not anywhere to be found among the listings that come up, then sign your business up with the Google Maps Local Business Center at http://www.google.com/local/add. If your business is already listed, click on it and a pop-up will show up on the map to the right. Select “Edit” and another pop-up will appear. Click on “Claim Your Business”.
Edit your business information. You will be taken to a screen that gives you the option to add, edit or suspend a listing. If this is your listing, choose “Edit my business information” and then “Continue”.
Submit your business information. Fill in all the information you wish to share about your business. Google allows you to share your website, a description of your business, hours, photos, and more! You can even fix the marker location that points to your business on the map if it’s positioned incorrectly. Hit the “Submit” button at the bottom once you’re done.
Validate your listing. You can choose to do this either by phone or postcard. Validating by postcard will take 2 to 3 weeks, which might be a good option depending on where your business is located. If you choose by phone, you will receive a call from Google at your business phone line, so make sure you are available to answer! You can choose for Google to “Call Me Now” or “Call Me in 5 minutes”. Take note of your 4-digit pin number – Google will ask you to enter this followed by the # key. After completing the call, you will see a message that your listing has been verified. Your listing should be active within the next month.