How to submit your site to Bing Places
So to make sure that your business is well connected with local consumers who are using Bing follow our step-by-step guide below:
Step 1: Create a Microsoft account.
If you don’t already have a Microsoft account then create a new one here. Click the ‘Sign up now’ link and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 2: Welcome to Bing Places.
Go to the Bing Places homepage here and click the yellow ‘Get Started’ button. In future you will use the Sign in button in the top right of the screen to login to your account.
Step 3: Claim a Business or Add a New Business Listing.
Next you will be asked to find your business name or location by entering your country then either your business phone number OR your business name and location. After entering your details click on ‘search’. As in the example screen shot below for Varn, either identify the correct listing for your company and click ‘Select’ or, if you are not listed, click on ‘Create new business’ button at the bottom of the page.
Step 4: Login to your Microsoft account.
You will then be asked to login into Microsoft for both the above options. So click ‘login’ when asked and sign-in to your account.
Step 5: Add your Business Information.
Check any pre-populated details and fill in any extras as prompted in the ‘Basic Business Details’ section below.
Make sure you add in as much relevant detail as possible. Including other relevant webpages like Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn that your business might have, and up to 10 business categories by browsing Bing’s categories. In the section ‘Additional Business Details’ you can add hours of operation, a company description, tagline and brands carried. In the ‘Images and Videos’ section upload your company logo, up to 10 photos and copy links to any company videos. There are also sections for adding ‘Other Contact Information’ like fax and mobile numbers and additional emails and ‘General Information’ like parking and payment options, languages spoken and professional affiliations. Once you have filled in as much helpful detail as possible click the yellow ‘Submit’ button at the bottom of the page.
Step 6: Verify your business.
Bing will need to verify you are the business owner by either calling the phone number given or posting you a verification PIN at the business address. So just select your preferred option and click ‘Verify now’. If you choose the post option it will take 3 – 5 days for the set up to be completed. The phone option will be much quicker.
Step 7: Enter the PIN number you have been given.
When you have received the verification PIN either by post or phone go back to the Bing Places website and click ‘Get Started’ again. You will then be taken to the following page where listed under ‘Status’ you will need to click the ‘Enter PIN’ link. Enter the PIN number on the next screen and the process complete.
Now your company is set up and you will see a difference to your company listing in Bing’s results pages. You can manage your account any time by going to your dashboard page. Any information can be edited or added in the ‘Manage your listings’ section. There is also a section for adding multiple businesses if you are part of a chain or franchise.
If you would like any help with setting up Bing Places, or your overall SEO strategy, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with the professionals at Varn.
