How To Set Up A Google My Business Page
We have previously mentioned why it is important it is to optimize your website for Local SEO. Chief among these optimizations is setting up a Google My Business (GMB) profile so that you can attract more local customers.
Your business on Google doesn’t just come with an online presence outside your website (one that is featured right on Google itself), but it also integrates with Google Maps and is a great way to build your authority to local audiences.
However, setting up a Google My Business profile can require some extensive steps. Here is how you can set up a Google My Business Page:
Step 1: Create Your Google My Business Account
First and foremost, before you start you need to have a Google account. We recommend creating a Google account just for your business, especially through Google Workspace.
To make a basic account, you can:
Go to accounts.google.com
Click on "Create account"
Follow the prompts to set up your account
Step 2: Sign Up For Google Business Profile
Now it’s time to sign up for a Google Business Profile. Note that this is the exactly same as a Google My Business profile. The difference is the name.
Google rebranded from GMB to Google Business Profile in late 2021 as part of a rebranding effort, however, the functionality and features remain the same.
Now that that’s out of the way. Here is how you set up your profile:
Visit the Google Business Profile website.
Click on Manage Now.
Begin the sign-up process.
Step 3: Enter Your Business Information
At this point, you will want to enter all of your relevant business information. Remember NAP (name, address, phone number) is essential to get into local listings and will help make your site more indexable with search engines.
You will also want to enter your business category as well as your service area. Again, all of this will help with local searches.
Step 4: Verify Your Business
At this point, you will need to verify your business so that you can begin optimizing it. There are three ways this can happen:
Postcard Verification: Google will send a postcard with a verification number to your company address as part of the postcard verification process.
Phone or Email Verification: By phone or email Verification: Available for certain companies (if these choices are available, Google will direct you).
Instant Verification: You may be eligible for instant verification if you have previously used Google Search Console to verify your business.
Step 5: Add Your Business Details To Your Google Business Profile
Hurray! Now that you are verified it’s time to begin optimizing your Google Business Profile. First, you need to add your business details. Here are some of the details to include:
What are your business hours? Be sure to also note any special holiday hours or whether or not you are closed on the weekends.
What is your phone number?
What is your Website URL?
Step 6: Add Photos and Videos To Enhance Your GMB Listing
Think about what might look at before you choose whether or not to visit a business. If you are like me then you’ll go straight to the photos and videos. I like to see what a space might look like, and check out the vibe if you will, before I patronize a place.
Remember to add the following:
Profile Photo: Upload a profile picture that best captures your company.
Cover Photo: To highlight your company, include a cover photo.
Additional Photos: Include photos of your goods, services, and any outside or interior views. Remember these photos should represent your brand and tell a specific story.
Videos: A great way to showcase your company is through videos. They are some of the best pieces of content you can utilize to improve your search performance.
Step 7: Optimize Your Google Business Description
You might list out what your business does, but what sets it apart from your competitors? The more you underline this for your users the more likely they will choose your business. Here are other Google My Business description tips to consider:
Add Important Details: Explain your company's mission, your offerings (goods and services), and what makes you unique.
Employ keywords: Add pertinent keywords to increase your presence in searches.
Make it Brief: Try to make your description interesting and clear.
Step 8: Set Up Google Business Messaging
We highly recommend turning on your messaging so that you can respond to customer inquiries that come in. Here’s how to set that up direct from Google:
Go to your Business Profile.
Click Messages.
Click Menu. Chat settings.
Turn on or off Chat.
Step 9: Update Your GMB Profile Regularly
You should regularly keep your customers, or potential customers, up-to-date on offers, events, news, or anything else that is relevant.
By being current on updates you are not only engaging with your audience, but you are also showing relevancy and timeliness of your brand. Again, by placing yourself in the footsteps of customers you can understand why a brand that updates its profile regularly is more engaging than one that doesn’t.
And the more engaging a brand is, the more likely conversions take place.
Step 10: Manage And Respond To Your Profile Reviews
Did you know that positive reviews can greatly improve your Local SEO ranking and boost your credibility with customers overall?
However, even if a review is negative it is important to respond to all reviews professionally. This shows that you are invested in your customers and can also increase your authority and trust in your industry.
Making The Most Of Your Google My Business Page
Setting up and optimizing your Google My Business profile will help improve your Local SEO and draw in more local customers.
Want help optimizing your profile or get stuck setting up your Google Business Profile? We are happy to help!