How to Claim or Setup a Local Listing for Your Business

What if you could get your business in front of the right people right when they’re looking for it? Local listings make that possible, connecting your business to people searching for exactly what you offer — right when they need it. But if your listings aren’t set up correctly, your business might get overlooked or, worse, misrepresented.

Owning and optimizing your local listings puts you in control. Whether you’re creating a new profile or claiming one that’s already out there, this guide will help you make your business visible, credible, and ready to win over more customers.

What is a Local Business Listing?

A local business listing is an online profile where customers can find key details about your business, like your name, address, phone number (NAP), or hours of operation. By creating and optimizing these listings, you stand a better chance of appearing in local search results on search engines like Google, making it easier for potential customers to find and engage with you.

Think of local business listings as the internet’s equivalent of the local Yellow Pages. These profiles, created on directories like Google, Bing, and Yahoo, make it easier than ever for local customers looking for products or services like yours.

Why are Local Listings so Important for Local Businesses?

Local listings are a vital way for modern businesses to introduce themselves to potential new customers and build trust with customers who might be considering several different alternatives. 

But how, exactly, do they do this? Here are a few ways that investing time in your local listings can make a difference to your business:
  • Get found by local customers: Verified and optimized profiles show up in local search results and on apps like Google Maps, putting your business in front of people who are searching nearby.
  • Bring more people through your doors: When your address, hours, and contact info are easy to find, customers know exactly how to reach you — whether they’re stopping by or giving you a call.
  • Climb to the top of local search results: Consistent details across listings make search engines trust your business, which helps you rank higher and get seen by more people.
  • Show you’re the real deal: A complete profile with reviews, photos, and accurate info tells customers they can count on you. It’s the kind of trust that leads to first-time customers giving your brand a try.
  • Reach new faces: Local listings introduce you to people who might not have heard of you yet. When you’re listed, you’re in the running for their business.
  • Shape what people say about you: Listings with reviews let you respond to feedback and highlight your strengths. A quick reply to a review shows that you’re dedicated to providing great customer service.
  • Stay ahead of the competition: If your competitors are showing up in searches and you’re not, guess who’s getting the customers? A solid online presence levels the playing field — and gives you an edge.

How to Get Your Business Listed in Local Listings Online

Listing your business online is simpler than you might think. For each online directory you want to be featured on, create a new listing or claim an existing one. Here’s a breakdown of what that would typically look like:

1. Create a New Listing

If your business doesn’t already appear on a platform, you’ll need to create a listing from scratch. This usually involves:
  • Entering your business name, address, and phone number
  • Adding your hours of operation and website
  • Selecting relevant categories for your business
  • Uploading photos to showcase your location or services
  • Verifying your ownership of the business

While the specific steps vary between directories, setting up your listing should be fairly straightforward. To learn more, check out our in-depth instructions for creating a local listing on some of the most popular directories in these guides:

2. Claim an Existing Listing

Your business may already be listed in a directory, even if you didn’t create the profile yourself. These unclaimed listings are often incomplete, outdated, or even incorrect. Worse, they can confuse customers or misrepresent your brand, costing you potential business.

Claim these listings to take control and ensure customers see an accurate, professional profile. To claim a listing, you’ll often need to prove your ownership of the business, but once that’s done, you’ll be able to:

  • Add missing details like hours, services, or a website link
  • Correct any errors, such as a wrong phone number or address
  • Respond to customer reviews to show you’re engaged and responsive
  • Upload photos that better reflect your business

Unclaimed listings don’t just lead to confusion — they can actively hurt your business. If a customer gets the wrong address or store hours for your business, you won’t just miss out on a sale, but they’ll also walk away with a negative opinion of your brand. 

By claiming and updating your online listings, you’re not only improving your online presence but also protecting your brand from misinformation.

Top Business Listing Sites to Create a Listing on (And How to Claim Your Listing There)

Not all directories are created equal. Some platforms are essential for every business, while others may be more relevant depending on your industry or target audience. Here’s a breakdown of the top business listing sites you should prioritize:

1. Google Business Profile (GBP)

Why it’s essential: Google dominates search. A verified Google Business Profile ensures your business appears in Google Search and Google Maps. It’s a must-have for any business looking to attract local customers.

How to Claim Your Google Business Profile Listing

The simplest way to claim your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) listing is through Google Maps. Start by opening Google Maps and searching for your business name. Then:

  1. Choose the correct listing for your business. There might be multiple listings with a similar name, so make sure the one you choose is in the correct location.
  2. Click on “Claim this business” in the Maps listing. When you do this, a new tab will open to guide you through the process of claiming the business listing.
  3. Make sure you’re logged in to the right account, then click “Manage Now.” The new tab will show the email address that will be associated with your Google Business Profile. If you have different accounts for business and personal use, make sure you’re logged into the right one.
  4. Verify your business ownership by following the online instructions. Verifying your business on Google usually involves recording a video of your business showing that the business exists and demonstrating proof of ownership (for example, by opening the cash register or recording yourself accessing employee-only areas)
  5. Wait for verification. This can take up to five working days. Once your video’s been verified by Google, you should get a notification in your Google account.
  6. Start managing your listing via your Google Business Profile. When your claim has been verified, you can start managing your listing. Start by adding a business description and ensuring all your business details are correct, uploading images, and responding to customer reviews

2. Apple Maps

Why it’s essential: Apple Maps is the go-to navigation tool for iPhone users. If you’re not listed here, you’re missing out on a huge portion of mobile traffic.

How to Claim Your Apple Maps Listing

  • Go to Apple Business Connect. Visit businessconnect.apple.com and log in with your Apple ID.
  • Search for your business. Enter your business name and location to see if a listing already exists. If it does, select it and proceed to claim ownership. If your business isn’t listed, click the option to create a new listing.
  • Provide business details. Fill out the required fields, including your business name, address, phone number (NAP), and website. Double-check for accuracy to avoid issues later.
  • Verify your ownership. Apple will ask you to verify ownership, typically through a phone call or by uploading a document that proves your ownership, like a business license or utility bill.
  • Complete your profile. Add hours of operation, photos, and business categories. You can also use the Apple Business Connect dashboard to add special promotions or update details of your business as they change.

Get more help getting on Apple’s ecosystem using our complete guide to getting your business on Apple Maps. 

3. Bing Places for Business

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Why it’s essential: While not as dominant as Google, Bing still captures the second most search traffic on the web.

How to Claim Your Bing Listing

To claim a Bing listing for your business, start by going to the Bing search engine. Then:

  1. Search for your business. This will help you find out whether there’s an existing listing for your business or if you need to create a new one.

    Note: If your business has multiple locations, you can claim them all in one go, thanks to Bing’s bulk upload tool, which is incredibly helpful for multi-location companies.
  2. Click “Claim now.” This will open a new tab and walk you through how to claim your business listing.
  3. Create or log in to your account. This is the account you’ll use to manage your Bing listing, so use a business email address rather than a personal one.
  4. Verify your account. To prove to Bing that you own the business you’re trying to claim, you’ll choose a way for Bing to send you a PIN — via phone, email, or physical mail. Once you receive the PIN, enter it and verify your account.
  5. Manage your Bing listing: Once your account has been verified, manage your Bing listing via your business account. You can add photos, update business information, and manage customer reviews.

4. Yelp

Why it’s essential: Known for its focus on customer reviews, Yelp is critical for restaurants, cafes, and service-oriented businesses. High ratings on Yelp can drive significant traffic.

How to Claim Your Yelp Listing

To claim a listing for your business on Yelp, start by going to Yelp for Business. Then:

  1. Click on “Verify my free listing.” This will take you to a walkthrough to find and claim your business listing.
  2. Search for your business. If a business listing already exists with that name, it will show up in the dropdown menu. You should check that it is your business (not a similarly-named business in another location). If so, select it from the menu. If there isn’t already a listing for your business, you will need to add your business instead.
  3. Create a Yelp account. This will be the account you’ll use to login and manage your listing, so make sure you use your business email address rather than a personal one.
  4. Verify your account. Once you’ve created an account, you’ll receive an email or phone call to verify your account. You’ll need to enter your verification code to complete your account setup and claim your listing.
  5. Start managing your Yelp business listing. You’ll get a notification once your listing claim has been successful. Start by adding more information about your business and managing the reviews on your profile.

5. Foursquare

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How to Claim Your Foursquare Business Listing

To claim a listing on Foursquare, go to the Foursquare Business website. Then:
  1. Search for your business. Enter your business name and location into the search boxes. If there are several similarly-named companies in your area, make sure you find the correct listing.
  2. Click “Claim My Business.” This will start a walkthrough of the remaining steps to claim your business listing.Note: If you’re a multi-location business and you need to claim more than ten business locations, you’ll need to complete this form instead. This lets you put in a bulk claim for multiple business pages at once rather than submitting individual claims for each location.
  3. Log in to Foursquare. Make sure you’re logged in to your business account rather than a personal one. If you don’t have an account already, create one at this stage.
  4. Verify your account. Before you can start managing your business listing, Foursquare needs to verify your account. If you opt for mail verification, then this may take a few weeks, or you can pay a one-time fee of $20 to get instant management access to your account.

Expert Tips for Optimizing Your Local Listings for More Visibility

Managing local listings can feel overwhelming, especially for busy small business owners. Here are three practical tips that don’t require a ton of time or technical expertise so you can make the most of your online listings:

1. Focus on the Fundamentals First

Before diving into advanced strategies, ensure your basics are covered. This means:
  • Keep your name, address, and phone number (NAP) consistent across all listings.
  • Add essential details like hours of operation, pricing, services offered, and your website link.
  • Double-check the accuracy of your business categories. For example, a café that serves breakfast should list itself under both “Coffee Shop” and “Breakfast Spot” if the platform allows.
Why it works: Small changes like ensuring your info is consistent and accurate can dramatically improve your visibility and prevent customer frustration. Plus, it should take no more than an hour or so every year to keep up to date.

2. Show Off Your Personality in Photos

Most businesses upload generic images. Stand out by sharing photos that capture the heart of your business. Here are a couple examples of what could help you stand out:
  • A café could share a behind-the-scenes shot of the team prepping drinks.
  • A boutique might showcase its most unique products in action.
  • Service providers could post “before-and-after” photos to highlight their impact.
Why it works: Listings with unique, authentic images are more likely to catch the eye of potential customers, giving them a reason to choose you over competitors. Learn more about putting your best face forward in our ultimate guide to Google Business Profile images.

3. Encourage Quick, Positive Reviews

Every review matters — you don’t need hundreds to make an impact. After a great interaction, politely ask your customers for a quick review. To try to increase the number of reviews you get, you could:
  • Place a QR code on receipts, flyers, or at checkout that links directly to your review page.
  • Follow-up after purchases with a simple, personalized message thanking customers for their visit and including a review link.
  • Be active on social media, highlighting the great reviews you’re currently getting from customers to encourage others to share their own experiences.
Why it works: A steady stream of positive reviews not only boosts your listing’s credibility but also improves its ranking on platforms like Google and Yelp. Plus, with the right tools, it can be a true set-it-and-forget-it kind of improvement.

Boost Your Local SEO With Chatmeter

This article showed you how to claim a local business listing on some of the most popular listing directory sites. But there are tons of other sites you might want listings on (we put together a list of 50 directories you should know about).

Logging into each listing site individually to claim and manage your listings can be incredibly time-consuming, especially if you’re a multi-location business with multiple listings to keep track of. 

Thankfully, a listings management tool like Chatmeter makes this more straightforward. Our platform lets you connect with several of the most popular review sites to manage your listings, saving you and your team precious time. 

Want to learn more? Find out how Chatmeter can help you manage local listings across platforms, or book a demo with our team. We’ll be happy to guide you through exactly how Chatmeter can help your company.

Local Listings FAQs

1. What if my business doesn’t have a physical address?

No problem! Many platforms, like Google Business Profile, allow service-based businesses to list themselves without a public address.  You can use a service area instead. When setting up your listing, choose the option for businesses that deliver services to customers at their location (like plumbers or home cleaning services).

2. Can I claim multiple listings for one business?

Yes, but only in specific cases. If your business has multiple locations, you can claim a separate listing for each one.  However, for a single-location business, duplicate listings can confuse customers and harm your rankings. Make sure each location has unique details, like its address and phone number, to keep things organized.

3. What should I do about duplicate listings?

Duplicate listings can hurt your visibility and confuse customers. Platforms like Google and Yelp allow you to report duplicates for removal.  If you do have an issue with duplicate listings, follow these steps:
  • Identify which listing you want to keep as the primary one. 
  • Reach out to the platform to request that the duplicates be merged or deleted.

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