Getting Started Every business that aims to increase its online visibility and attract local customers should first complete a Google My Business (GMB) profile. A Google My Business (GMB) profile allows you to appear in local search results, on the map, and within Google’s “local pack”. In this guide, we will show you how to configure and grow your Google My Business profile for maximum impact.
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Contents
- What is Google My Business?
- What is Google My Business (GMB)
- Brief of GMB benefits
- Getting Started with Setting Up Your First GMB Profile
- What You Need for Starting a GMB
- How to Create and Set Up
- Step 1: Sign In to Your Google Account
- Step 2: Go to Google My Business Site & Create an Account by Entering the Name of the Company
- Step 3: Enter Business Type/Category Including Possible or Potential Sub-Categories
- Verification Time Frame
- Can I Add More Than One Location?
- How to Deal with Negative Reviews
- How Much Should I Refresh My Account?
- What If My Business Is Location Independent?
What is Google My Business? A Clear Explanation and Its Importance
Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool offered by Google where businesses can claim their business on the web. It aids in managing how your brand appears across search and maps. This is a core service that lets you submit your site to Google and make it easier for customers to find you.
Having a GMB Profile Has Many Advantages
- Visibility: A GMB profile helps to put you on the map—literally. Your business is more likely to show up in local search results and on Google Maps, so new customers can easily find your shop.
- Customer Engagement: With reviews, posts, and direct messaging, GMB offers resources for managing customer relations that can be used to enhance your connection with customers.
- Data: GMB provides insight and analytics to help you make informed marketing decisions.
- It is entirely free to create and manage a GMB profile, meaning you could gain some potentially important visibility for your business without having to pay for advertising.
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Requirements for GMB Setup
Business Eligibility Your business must be eligible to show up on Google or directly assess customers (establish a physical presence with partners).
Currently Accepted Information: Ensure your business information is current and accurate.
Collecting Information You Will Need Before getting started, have these ready:
- Business Name and Address: Identical to your existing branding.
- Main Business Category: The most accurate category for your business.
- Phone Number and URL: Correct URL of your website
- Business Hours: Regular and special hours
- Service Areas: If you serve a specific area, list the areas here.
- Photos: High-quality images of your storefront, products, and team
Step-by-Step Guide to Create GMB
Sign In to Google Account To link your business with a Google account, you need to be logged into the same Gmail account. If there isn’t one, build it beforehand.
Visit Google My Business Visit the Google My Business site and then proceed to click on “MANAGE NOW” to start setting up.
Business Name
Type the name of your business as you would like customers to see it on Maps and Search.
Pick Your Business Category
Choose the category that best fits your business; this helps Google match your listing to results.
Where Located (Physical Address of Business)
Insert the address if you have a physical location. If you go to customers’ locations, then put service areas instead.
Set Service Areas For companies without a physical location, enable the areas where you intend to be located (optional).
Add Contact Information Share your business phone number and website URL for customers to reach you or visit your site.
Getting Your Business Verified Verification proves that your business is real. Options to verify a business through the mail:
- Postcard: Google will send a postcard containing your verification code.
- Phone: A call automated with a verification code.
- Business Email: Verification email sent to your business email.
- Instant Verification: Only applicable if it is confirmed by Google Search Console.
Optimizing Your GMB Profile Complete All Information Ensure every field that pertains is filled out:
- Business Hours: Regular and special hours
- Detailed Description: The key aspects your business or service offers
Add Photos and Videos Studies repeatedly show that high-quality images can improve your profile significantly, helping attract more customers. Photo needs: Interior, Exterior, Product, and Team Photos
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Customer Reviews Encourage satisfied customers to leave good reviews, and respond promptly to all reviews to show you value feedback.
Posts on GMB Use posts to advertise events, deals, and news. These posts will show up right in your GMB listing.
Act Responsively When Customer Inquiries Promptly answer queries raised by customers on your profile to provide proper and timely service.
Updating Your GMB Profile Information Continually Modifications to your business must remain up-to-date if you want increased customer confidence and search ranking.
Get Insights to Inform Business Decisions Use insights from GMB to know how customers find and interact with your profile.
Mistakes to Prevent
- Incomplete Information: Complete all sections for higher search rankings and to build customer trust.
- Disregard Reviews: Continuously check your reviews and react to them, showing that you pay attention to comments and want them resolved.
Google My Business FAQs
How to Edit Business Listings?
Log into your GMB account, click “Info” and edit the appropriate sections.
How Much Time Does the Verification Process Take?
Phone and email are faster compared to a postcard (around 5 days).
Can I Add Multiple Locations?
Each location must be confirmed separately.
How to Handle Negative Reviews?
Respond in a professional manner addressing the issue and offer a solution.
How Often Should I Update My Profile?
Regularly enough to read those updates—about once a month or whenever a major change occurs.
What If My Business Is Online?
Reach the right customers by specifying the service areas your business covers and expand via creating a GMB profile.
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Here are some tools similar to Google My Business that help businesses manage their online presence and improve local SEO:
1. Bing Places for Business
- Description: Bing’s equivalent of Google My Business, where businesses can manage their listings on Bing search engine.
- Link: Bing Places for Business
2. Apple Maps Connect
- Description: Helps businesses manage their listings on Apple Maps and makes it easier for customers using Apple devices to find your business.
- Link: Apple Maps Connect
3. Yelp for Business
- Description: Manage your business’s Yelp listing, engage with customers through reviews, and improve visibility on the Yelp platform.
- Link: Yelp for Business
4. Facebook Business Pages
- Description: A Facebook Business Page allows you to list your business on Facebook, engage with customers, and promote your services through social media.
- Link: Facebook Business Pages
5. TripAdvisor for Business
- Description: For businesses in the travel and hospitality sector, TripAdvisor enables you to manage your listing, interact with customers, and enhance your profile for travelers.
- Link: TripAdvisor for Business
6. Foursquare for Business
- Description: Manage your business’s presence on Foursquare, an app known for local recommendations and customer engagement.
- Link: Foursquare for Business
7. BrightLocal
- Description: A local SEO tool that helps businesses manage their online reputation, including local listings, reviews, and citations across multiple platforms.
- Link: BrightLocal
Conclusion
Crafting and optimizing your Google My Business profile for better local SEO and customer engagement. Use these step-by-step instructions to make sure your business gets noticed in nearby searches and gains more customers. Keep your profile updated, interact with customers, and leverage GMB insights to make better decisions. For additional ways to improve your online presence, check out Boost Your Business with Google My Business for more in-depth hacks and strategies.
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