Google My Business plays a significant role in local SEO and your company’s online presence. If you own a business, you should have a GMB profile. Creating and managing this profile is free and easy. Go to Google’s official page for businesses. Claim your listing and add your company’s address, contact information, and photos to help Google categorize your business correctly. In this blog I will help you to know how to set up a Google My Business Profile.

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business is a powerful tool designed to help business owners. With it, you can easily manage your accessible business listing on Google. Owners can control how they appear in Google search results for their local area. Also, directly add information like hours of operation, photos, and content. 

Why is Google My Business Important?

Google My Business helps you and your business appear in the Knowledge Panel. It can help drive more traffic to your website. It also makes it easier for people searching for your business to find you. So, what does all this mean? People searching for businesses like yours on Google Maps may see these listings. They may find it to search for new places to shop, eat or check out. By using Business Analytics from the insight pane, you can also be derived data such as: 

• In which way people search for your business
• To find your business, what queries do they use?
• How they interact with your listing, and a lot more.

Google My Business is the top tool to enhance your business online. It helps balance the visibility of businesses. It benefits small businesses tremendously. Your company will benefit from having a profile/listing on Google My Business even if it doesn’t have a website. This ensures that Google’s search engine understands your business. Also, it puts you in front of potential customers.

How do Setup Google My Business?

Google My Business is an essential tool for optimizing your online presence. Especially with local searches. It’s necessary to get this right. This blog will help you create a profile representing your Business across Google Search and Google Maps.

If you set this up from a desktop or a laptop, it will be much easier. By the following steps, you may set up your Google My Business profile:

1. Create a Google Account

Creating a new google account is easy because it’s simple and fast. You can choose from an existing email address. Or you may make a new one. 

2. Visit the Google Business Profile Gateway

Once you create your new Gmail account, visit your Google Business profile and click ‘Manage now’ to start.

3. Search for the business

Start by typing in the business name to ensure that a profile already exists with this name or not. You’ll see it come as you’re typing if it does. If your business name is not there, click ‘Add your business to Google.

If someone has already opened a Google Business Profile for their business, then don’t worry. You may request that management of the profile be transferred to you. Then click ‘Request Access,’ and you’ll be guided through the process.

4. Add the Business Name and Category

When making a new profile, the next step is to add a business name and its category. The name should be matched with the official business name you use. Don’t be encouraged to add keywords to the business name as it breaches Google’s guidelines.

After that, select the category that closely matches your business. You’ll have the option to edit this later. Also, you can add additional classes, so don’t think if you’re not entirely sure what category to choose.

5. Does your Business have a physical location?

If your business has a physical location that people can visit for face-to-face interactions, you’ll need to share the location. In this case, select ‘Yes’ and then click ‘Next.’ Or, if the business operates only online, select ‘No’ instead.

6. Insert the Location on Map

Your office address must be accurate and complete. You need to provide the physical location of your business. You might be asked for the position on the map to validate the area. You need to prevent any confusion or issues with the verification process.

7. Stay in the Know

Before you verify the business, you’ll be asked if you’d like to receive helpful tips and recommendations from Google. No obligation, of course!

Google My Business gives you easy online tools to help you manage your business. Stay aware of significant changes, such as Google products and updates to your industry or local area. Also, be mindful of customized tips and recommendations from Google.

8. Verify the Business

You’ll have the option to select from several verification methods. Each option has a set of instructions that must be followed for the verification to be successful. You can learn more about how Google verifies My Business addresses here.

Postcard Verification: Postcard verification is available to all businesses. An informative postcard will be mailed to your business address to verify your account. It must be entered into the appropriate place within Google My Business. If you don’t receive the postcard or have questions, get help from Google my Business help center.

Phone Verification: Phone verification is also a Google My Business verification option. Some businesses can only use it. Using this method, you’ll receive a code via an automated phone call. You can then enter that code in your account to verify it. You’ll see this option if you’re eligible on your verification page.

Email Verification: Email verification is a fast and easy way to prove ownership of a business. If you’ve opted to verify by email, we’ll send a code to the email address connected to your Google Business profile. You’ll need to log into your business listing and enter the code before you can verify your ownership.

9. Add Contact Details

The next step is to add the contact details for the business. You’ll need to enter the phone number, and you also have the choice to add a website. If there isn’t one, leave it blank but tick the box that says there is a website so that Google knows you have one planned. Once you complete this step and verify with Google, your listing will be live!

10. Add Hours of Operation & Services

Adding hours of operation and a description of your business gives people more information about your company. Click the “Add hours” link from Google My Business dashboard home tab. After that, use the toggle button next to every weekday to let you know if your business is open or closed. Once done, click “Apply.” 

To add a description, click “Add Services” next to it to add a description.

11. Add Business Photos & Videos

After account verification, you can start uploading content—including media. Some options for visual elements in your Google Business Profile consist of a logo, a cover photo, videos, and business interior photos. To upload these elements, click “Photos” from the left-hand dashboard menu. Then click “Choose photo” under the photo or media file you want to add.

Here are the elements you can add to your Google My Business Profile and the process to add them:

Cover: Select a cover photo to showcase your business’s unique brand and value. This photo will show when customers see your business listing in Google Maps and search pages. Click “Choose photo” in the “Cover” tile to add your cover photo.

Videos: Add videos to tell people why your business is different. Videos appear on your listing page and showcase why your business is unique. To add one, click “Add videos” in the “Video” til

Interior photos: Add interior photos to your Google My Business listing by clicking the “Add photos” button in the “Interior” tile. Select a business location. Then click “Upload photos” to choose and upload a photo from your device.

Exterior photos show your customers your location, helping them find you in real life. Click “Add photos” in the tile at the top of your business pages to add exterior photos. Help your customers to see your business location before they leave home.

Google recommends you add high-quality photos and videos that are fresh and up-to-date. This means representing your business in its best light and showing what makes it unique. It will help to optimize the chances customers will find your business.

This is how you can set up your Google My Business profile for your business. Overall, it’s a simple process to set up an online presence. But one that must be managed with as much care and maintenance as any other part of a company. The result is that businesses across the board can add considerable visibility to their brands. It is because they’re taking advantage of tools like the ones outlined above. Hopefully, this guide will help you understand Google My Business inside and out.