Having accurate business hours on Google+ Local is essential for attracting customers, improving your local search visibility, and ensuring that potential clients know when you’re open. Whether you’re updating your hours for holidays, special events, or regular operations, knowing how to correctly add or modify your business hours helps you stay relevant and accessible. Before you begin, ensure you have access to your Google My Business account, as Google+ Local business listings are managed through this platform. If you haven’t claimed your listing yet, you’ll need to do so first. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step process to help you update your business hours efficiently.
What You’ll Need
- Google Account with access to your Google My Business listing
- Verified business listing on Google My Business
- Current business hours information (regular hours, holiday hours, special hours)
Step-by-Step
- Log into your Google My Business account at https://www.google.com/business/ using your Google credentials.
- On the dashboard, select the business location you want to update if managing multiple listings.
- Click on the “Info” tab from the menu on the left side of the screen.
- Locate the “Hours” section within the Info panel. Click on the pencil/edit icon next to it.
- In the hours editing window, you’ll see options for regular hours, holiday hours, and special hours.
- For regular hours, input the days of the week your business operates and specify the opening and closing times for each day.
- To add holiday hours or special hours, click on the respective options and specify the dates and hours accordingly.
- Review your entered hours for accuracy. Make sure there are no overlaps or errors.
- Click “Apply” or “Save” to update your business hours on your listing.
- Check your Google My Business profile on Google Search or Maps to ensure the hours are updated correctly.
Common Mistakes
- Not updating hours for holidays or special occasions, leading to customer confusion.
- Entering incorrect times or forgetting to save changes.
- Neglecting to update hours after a temporary change, such as renovations or staff shortages.
- Failing to verify the listing before making edits, which can restrict editing privileges.
- Using inconsistent or ambiguous time formats that confuse customers.
Tips
- Always double-check your hours after saving to ensure they display correctly.
- Update your hours promptly for holidays and special events to avoid customer dissatisfaction.
- Use the 24-hour or AM/PM format consistently to prevent misunderstandings.
- Include special hours for days when your schedule differs from regular hours.
- Notify your staff when hours are updated to ensure smooth operations.
Troubleshooting
If your business hours are not updating correctly or changes are not reflected on Google Search or Maps, try the following steps:
- Ensure you’re logged into the correct Google account associated with your business listing.
- Verify your business listing if you haven’t already. Unverified listings may have limited editing capabilities.
- Clear your browser cache or try editing from a different device or browser to rule out technical issues.
- Check for any ongoing Google platform issues or outages that might affect updates.
- If problems persist, contact Google My Business support for direct assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I set different hours for different days?
Yes, Google My Business allows you to specify different hours for each day of the week, giving you flexibility for varying schedules.
2. How do I update hours for holidays or special days?
Use the “Holiday hours” or “Special hours” options in the hours editing section to specify different hours for specific dates.
3. What should I do if my hours are not showing up after updating?
Ensure you saved your changes correctly, verify your listing, and clear cache. If issues continue, contact support.
4. Can I temporarily hide my hours during renovations?
Yes, you can set your hours to “Closed” on specific days or temporarily remove hours until you’re ready to reopen.
5. How long does it take for updates to appear publicly?
Typically, changes are reflected within a few hours but can take up to 24-48 hours, depending on Google’s review process.
6. Is it necessary to verify my business before updating hours?
Yes, verification is required to ensure you have control over the listing and can make updates like hours changes.
Keeping your business hours accurate on Google+ Local enhances your visibility, builds customer trust, and helps prevent misunderstandings. Follow these steps carefully, avoid common pitfalls, and stay proactive with updates to maximize your local search presence.
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