Marketing on Main Street is about practical, usable strategies that help local businesses compete in today’s marketplace. You do not need a massive budget or a full-time marketing team to be effective. You need to focus on the steps that actually move the needle. Showing up correctly on Google is one of those steps.

If you own a business in a small town, you have probably asked yourself this question at least once: Do I really need to be on Google?

The short answer is yes. Think of Google as the modern phone book. When someone needs a service, they search. Google gives them a list. If your information is accurate, you have a chance to get the call. If it is wrong, or worse, missing, you may never know you were skipped.

In many cases, your business already has a listing. The problem is that it may not be claimed or it may contain incorrect information. A wrong phone number, outdated hours, or missing address can cost you customers. People assume you are closed, do not answer the phone, or are no longer in business. And they will tell others what they experienced.

The good news is that fixing it is simple. Search your business name on Google. Look for the option that says “Claim this business.” Follow the prompts and verify ownership using an email account you control. Once you have access, review every detail. Confirm your phone number, hours, address, and website. Make sure it is all correct.

That alone puts you ahead of businesses that have ignored their listing.

There is much more we can talk about. Reviews matter. Photos matter. Regular updates matter. We will cover those in future columns. But none of that helps if your basic information is wrong.

In rural communities especially, visibility and accessibility win business. When someone needs a plumber, a boutique, a contractor or a bakery, they choose from who they can find. The businesses that show up get the calls.

This is a low effort, high impact move. Claim your profile. Make sure it is accurate. Let it work for you. — Alice Canada, MA, CNP, is a strategic communications and marketing consultant based in rural Oklahoma. She writes about practical marketing strategies for small and mid-sized businesses.