Boost Your Business: Claim Your Patch Listing!

When Patch launched in Elk Grove about a year ago, editors and contributors visited local businesses to collect information for our directory, Patch Places.

Patch Places is the spot to find descriptions, hours, accepted payment methods and more for spots around Elk Grove. All users can add events taking place at local businesses, rate them on a scale of one to five stars and add reviews.

But local business owners get extra bonuses when they claim their free listings. The video above shows you how.

HOW TO DO IT

Owners or managers can search for their business listing and click the "Claim it!" button to make updates to the page. A form will pop up asking for your name, contact information and proof of ownership.

(If your business isn't listed, please email directorysupport@patch.com to have your business added. It's free!)

Within a few days, you can expect someone from Patch to contact you to verify this information. You'll then be approved as the business owner.

Once approved, you'll have a "Manage Your Listing" button on the top of your Places page. Click the button to get to your dashboard.

YOUR DASHBOARD

From the dashboard, you can make many changes and updates to your listing. On the left side of the dashboard you have several options.

Your Stats:

Here you can see how many users have rated, reviewed or follow your listing. You can e-mail your customers to seek out more reviews, and link the Patch Place to your Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Edit Listing:

Add photos, website information, hours of operation, contact information and more under the Basic Info tab. Some information cannot be changed, but you can request a new description if you think your business is inaccurately described.

Choose Extra Info to add information like the founding date of your business, what kinds of payments you accept, parking information and more.

Manage Photos & Media:

Here you can add and edit photos, videos or PDFs and choose which image is featured.

Reviews:

You can see what people have to say about your business and respond to reviews.

Free Tools:

This is an easy way to post events and add job openings to our classifieds section, also known as the Marketplace.

Paid Tools:

You can upgrade your listing with a video profile, add a message from the owner and become a featured business on the Places page for a fee. For more about these options, email advertising manager Beth Amatrone at beth.amatrone@patch.com.

There you have it! Claiming your listing is a great way to keep the Elk Grove community informed about your business.

Questions about your listing? Email directorysupport@patch.com.