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The Lost Get Found (Maps and Online Reviews)

Learn how to ensure your church appears on maps and gathers positive online reviews to attract more visitors and improve visibility.

Module 3 - Lesson 6
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The Lost Get Found (Maps and Online Reviews)

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If you haven’t already noticed, Maps are an important part of most people’s lives today. When you look up a church online, the first results you see now are a list of churches along with reviews. In this video, we’re going to make sure that we show up on those maps too, and I’ll give you some best practices that will help bring you closer to the top of that list.

Google Maps (Google MyBusiness)

1. Go to Google MyBusiness

Log in with your new “Example.com” domain email or any other Google Email (Be sure to remember which email you are registering your business with).

2. Add or Claim your listing

Often your business may already appear on Google Maps, but you need to claim it.

3. Ensure your details are up-to-date

  • Double-check your opening hours and phone number.
  • Refresh or upload higher-resolution church images.
  • Check that no unauthorized edits have been made to your listing (e.g., someone changing your church’s website to their affiliate link).

4. Verify Your Listing

Usually done through mail sent to your business address.

Apple Maps

1. Go to Apple Maps Connect

Log in with your Apple ID and password. If you don’t have an Apple ID, you’ll need to create one.

2. Select your relationship to your business

Choose “I’m the business owner” or “I’m authorized by the business owner.”

3. Enter your basic business details

Include your business name, primary phone number, and address.

4. Verify your business phone number

Apple will call the provided number and give you a PIN code. If needed, you can opt to “Verify Later.”

5. Confirm your business location

Choose a category that fits your church. If no category fits, suggest one.

6. Confirm your hours of business

Input the days and times you’re open. There are options for 24-hour operations if applicable.

7. Add your website and social media accounts

Copy and paste URLs for your church’s website and social media pages.

8. Review your business information

Ensure everything is correct and submit. Listings usually appear in Apple’s Maps app within a week.

Open a Yelp Account

Apple Maps uses Yelp for its online reviews. To show reviews on Apple Maps, create a Yelp Account.

1. Go to Yelp for Business

2. Add or Claim your listing

Create a Yelp Account if you don’t already have one.

3. Complete your Listing Profile

Add your complete church profile and tell the best story about it.

4. Verify your listing

This is typically done via phone call or mail.

Bing Maps (Bing Places)

1. Go to Bing Places

Log in with or create your Microsoft account.

2. Claim your listing

Claim an existing listing or add a new one. For multiple locations, use the bulk upload tool.

3. Complete your listing profile

Add complete information about your church, including photos, hours, services, and contact details.

4. Verify your listing

Verify via PIN sent to your business address, phone, or email. Some businesses can hide their address in search results.

Get Some Reviews!

Once you’ve set up and verified your accounts, encourage your church members to visit these online listings and review your church (Google Maps, Apple Maps, Bing, and Facebook). A word of caution: don’t push for reviews or have everyone post them simultaneously. Review sites discourage “solicited” reviews and may devalue or hide them if they appear inauthentic.