How to Set Up Your Business on Yelp

Yelp is a site that allows customers to find and review local businesses. It was founded in 2004 and is now one of the world's biggest location-based social media networks. Businesses can create or claim their listing to message customers, offer promotions, and take advantage of other features. In order to take advantage of Yelp for your business, you need to create a Business Account rather than a regular personal profile.

Claiming Your Listing

Your business may already have a listing on Yelp if someone has already reviewed it. Before creating a new profile, search the site for your business. If it's there already, you can claim it and take control of the listing.

If you find a listing that appears to be yours, verify your phone number and other basic information to make sure it's your business and not one that's similarly named. Then, click the button that says Unlock This Business Page.

You’ll arrive a page where you must then enter your name, email information and a password in order to create your account and claim your listing.

Creating Your Account

If you don't find your business listing already on Yelp, you can create one by clicking on the link at the bottom of your search that says ‘Can’t find your business? Add your business to Yelp’.

Alternatively, you can just go to the main business login page of Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/. There, you'll see two options – ‘Login To Your Account’ and ‘Create Your Free Account Now’. The link to create an account can be found elsewhere on the site as well as you explore.

Your Profile Information

The first step is to enter the name and location of your business. If it turns out that you have a listing already and you didn't find it through the initial search, it will appear now. Otherwise, click the link that says ‘Add Your Business to Yelp’.

Enter your company name and basic contact information. You’ll then get a message that you need to confirm your email address in order to verify your business.

Confirm Your Email

Click the link in the email you receive. You’ll then get a message that the Yelp team must review your submission, which may take a few days. You won’t be able to finish creating your business account until your listing is approved.

Detailed Profile Information

Once your business submission has been approved, Yelp will redirect you to a dashboard where you can enter more detailed information such as open hours, a detailed description of your business, and your products and services. Fill out all fields completely.

A complete profile looks nicer, conveys all the necessary information, and offers SEO benefits by making your profile more likely to come up in searches. You should also upload photos of you, your logo, or your business, whichever is more appropriate.

Adding More Businesses

If you manage more than one business, Yelp allows you to manage all of them under one account by simply adding them to the original account you created. You don't need to create multiple Business Accounts. Simply go to your dashboard and click the link that says ‘Add A Business’.

Taking Advantage of Yelp Features

The great thing about Yelp is that it lets you offer promotions through the site. On your dashboard, you'll find everything you need to do this. Like all social media sites, you should take advantage of the special features Yelp offers.