Google is the most popular website globally, visited by many people. It has a big share, over 92%, of the search engine market. Making a Google Business Profile (used to be called Google My Business) is a crucial way to get new customers for your business through Google search and Maps.

What is Google Business Profile (Formerly known as Google My Business)?

Google Business Profile is a free listing for businesses on Google. You can share details and pictures of your business, such as where it is, what services you offer, and what products you sell.

Making this free profile is a fantastic way to make more people see your business on Google. The information from your Google Business Profile might show up when people use Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping.

But, keep in mind, this Google Business Profile is only for businesses that deal directly with customers. This includes businesses with a physical place, like a restaurant or store, and businesses that provide services by going to where their clients are, like consultants or plumbers.

If your business is only online, you’ll need to use other Google tools like Google Ads and Google Analytics.

Why Having a Google My Business is So Important

Be Found on Google (and Google Maps)

Whether you’re aiming to attract people to your physical store or your online presence, Google is the go-to place for searches. A Google Business Profile ensures that your business pops up when people are looking for products and services like yours in their local area.

Your Google My Business listing guides searchers on how to find and visit your business. Additionally, it boosts your local SEO, making your local business more likely to show up when people use Google Maps to search for nearby businesses.

Manage Your Online Business Info

With your Google My Business profile, you have the power to control and keep your contact information, business hours, and other important details up to date.

You can use it to announce updates, such as service expansions, temporary closures, or full reopenings—especially handy during emergencies like COVID-19. Google Business Profiles carry strong local SEO, making the information you share rank higher than third-party sites that might have outdated details.

Establish Trust with Reviews

Reviews play a crucial role in social proof, offering a reliable way to build trust and credibility.

Google’s star rating system, combined with space for detailed reviews, lets customers share their experiences with your business. This information aids potential customers in deciding which businesses to choose and products to purchase.

Receiving reviews on a public platform might seem daunting, especially since you can’t cherry-pick which Google My Business reviews to showcase (although you can respond to all reviews, as we’ll explain later). However, don’t worry: Google has found that a mix of positive and negative reviews is more trustworthy than pages filled with only positive recommendations.

How to Set Up a Google Business Profile (Google My Business)

Step 1: Sign in to Google Business Profile Manager

If you’re already logged into Google, you’re automatically in Google Business Profile Manager. Otherwise, log in using your Google account details or create a new account.

Step 2: Add Your Business

Type your business name. If it’s not in the drop-down menu, click “Add your business to Google.” Then, pick the right category and click Next.

Step 3: Enter Your Location

If your business has a physical location, choose Yes. Add your address, and you might need to mark your location on a map. If you don’t have a physical location but offer services or deliveries, list your service areas. Then, click Next.

If you didn’t provide a physical address, choose your region from the drop-down menu and click Next.

Step 4: Fill in Your Contact Information

Add your business phone number and website. If you don’t want phone calls, you can skip the phone number. Click Next when you’re done.

Step 5: Verify Your Business

Use your real address (not a P.O. box) for verification. This info is only for verification, not for public display. Enter your address and click Next. You’ll have options for verification—physical businesses get a mail postcard, while service-area businesses can verify through email. Enter your five-digit code upon receipt or visit https://business.google.com/ and click Verify.

Step 6: Customize Your Profile

Add business hours, messaging preferences, description, and photos. Click Continue when ready. You’ll land on the Business Profile Manager dashboard.

From there, manage your profile, check insights, handle reviews and messages, and create Google ads.

How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Google decides how local businesses rank in searches based on three main factors:

Relevance: How well your Google Business Profile matches what people are searching for.

Distance: How far your business is from the searcher or the search location.

Prominence: How well-known and reputable your business is, considering factors like links, reviews, and SEO.

Here are steps to boost your score in all three areas:

1. Complete Your Profile:

Having a complete Google Business Profile makes your business 2.7 times more likely to be considered reputable and 70% more likely to be visited. Make sure your profile tells people “what you do, where you are, and when they can visit.” Keep your business hours updated, especially during holidays or seasons.

2. Verify Your Location(s):

Verified business locations are more likely to appear in local search results. If you haven’t verified your location yet, request a verification postcard at https://business.google.com/.

3. Add Real Images and Videos:

Use your logo and cover photo, and add images and videos to showcase your business. For example, if you run a restaurant, post high-quality pictures of your meals and dining room. Businesses with photos receive more requests for directions and clicks through to their websites.

4. Include Keywords:

Incorporate relevant keywords naturally into your business description. Tools like Google Trends, Keyword Planner, and analytics can help you discover the right keywords for your business.

5. Encourage and Respond to Reviews:

Good reviews build trust and improve your Google ranking. After providing a positive experience, ask customers to review your business using the provided link. Respond to reviews, both positive and negative, professionally and in your brand voice. Responding to reviews increases your business’s trustworthiness.

6. Keep Information Updated:

Regularly update your business profile with changes in hours, contact information, or special hours for holidays. You can also create Google My Business posts to share updates, product news, offers, and events.

To edit your information, visit business.google.com or use Google search or Maps. To create posts, go to the dashboard and click on “Posts” in the left menu.

Add Special Features and Attributes

Google business accounts offer special features tailored to your chosen category. Here’s a breakdown of category-specific features:

• Hotels: Display class ratings, sustainability practices, highlights, check-in/out times, and amenities.
• Restaurants and Bars: Upload menus, dish photos, and highlight popular dishes.
• Service-Oriented Businesses: Showcase a list of services.
• Healthcare Providers (U.S.): Add health insurance information.
• Businesses also get different buttons based on their category, like appointment bookings, reservations, and orders.

If you believe your business qualifies for these features but you can’t find them, you might have selected the wrong category. Remember, you can pick up to 10 categories for your business.

You can enhance your profile with factual attributes that matter to your customers. For example, if you run a shop or restaurant, you might want to mention wheelchair accessibility, free Wi-Fi, outdoor seating, or that your company is women-owned and LGBTQ+ friendly.

How to Add or Edit Attributes:

1. From the dashboard, click on Info.
2. Under “From the business,” click Add attributes. If you’ve already added attributes and want to add more, click the pencil next to “From the business.”
3. Scroll through the options, check the relevant attributes, and click Apply.

Add Your Products

If your business sells products, it’s essential to keep an updated inventory on your Business Profile. Not only will your products be visible on your profile, but they can also appear in Google Shopping.

For manual addition of products to your Business Profile:

• Navigate to the dashboard and click on Products in the left menu,

click Get Started to add your first product.

If you run a retail business in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, or Australia and use a barcode scanner for products with manufacturer barcodes, you can use Pointy to automatically upload your products to your Business Profile.

Take Advantage of Google’s Free Marketing Tools

Google provides businesses with a free marketing kit, including stickers, social media posts, printable posters, and the option to create a custom video. (Note: The link will only work after you’ve set up your Business Profile.)

For many business owners, confirming their Google My Business profile seems like a straightforward process: Step one involves creating a GMB profile, followed by claiming the GMB listing in step two, and finally, verifying it in step three. However, the reality is more complex and not a straightforward sequence. This complexity arises because adding a business to Google Maps and verifying the Google My Business listing requires three different Google accounts and involves two Google platforms.

Recently, Google rebranded its local listing platform, changing it from GMB (Google My Business) to Google Business Profile. This update allows businesses to directly manage their profiles on Google Maps or through search. Throughout this article, we’ll use GMB and Google Business Profile interchangeably.

WHY SHOULD YOU VERIFY YOUR GOOGLE MY BUSINESS LISTING?

The main reason for verifying your GMB is straightforward – you can’t effectively manage your business details on Google search, Google Maps, and other Google platforms unless the verification process is completed. It’s crucial to note that Google needs to verify the physical location of your business premises and ensure you are authorized to own a business listing. Once this is confirmed, you gain the ability to make changes to your GMB profile information across Google, including uploading new photos, checking insights (listing statistics), responding to Google reviews, posting updates, and more.

Moreover, GMB signals like categories, proximity, and keywords in the business title often constitute approximately 25% of the essential ranking factors in the local pack. This means having a verified GMB profile increases your chances of appearing in the local pack compared to focusing on other ranking factors such as Google reviews, links, citations, and more. This underscores the importance of having full control over the information in your GMB listing.

Another incentive to verify your Google My Business listing is that, according to Google, verified business profiles are twice as likely to be viewed as trustworthy and reputable by users. Google My Business profiles tend to appear more trustworthy and consistent when they are edited and optimized by the business owner.

It’s also worth noting that verifying your Google My Business listing serves as a safeguard against potential fraudulent activities. Verifying ensures that individuals attempting to falsely represent your business and claim the Google listing as their own are thwarted. This protection is vital to prevent simple and pure fraud, emphasizing the importance of staying vigilant against such cases.

HOW TO CONFIRM IF YOUR GOOGLE MY BUSINESS LISTING IS VERIFIED

To confirm the status of your Google My Business listing associated with your Google account, use a dedicated tool from Google. Log in to your Google account, select the specific business you wish to check, and you’ll find its verification status.

Alternatively, you can manually verify the status of your business through search results. This method is helpful if you suspect that someone else created your business listing, and you want to claim ownership. Simply search for your business name on Google and inspect the knowledge graph. If you don’t see the “own this business” option next to “suggest an edit,” it indicates that the GMB listing is already verified.

If you discover that your business listing isn’t verified, it’s time to initiate the process of claiming and verifying your Google My Business listing.

METHODS TO VERIFY YOUR GOOGLE MY BUSINESS LISTING

Several methods are available to verify your Google My Business listing, and your selection depends on your business type and geographical location. After you’ve claimed or registered your business on Google, you’ll be prompted to choose a specific method for verifying your Google My Business listing. Some of the verification options include:

Standard Mail (PostCard):

Standard mail is a widely used verification method that allows Google to recognize your business address and exact location. The delivery process typically takes up to two weeks, varying based on your region. During the verification of your Google My Business profile, it’s essential not to alter your business information, such as name, address, and business categories, until the verification is successful. 

Note that Google does not send verification codes or letters to PO boxes. Once you provide the correct business name and address, a pop-up will inform you that verification postcards are on the way. The postcard includes a 5-digit verification code. Log into your GMB account, select the intended business for verification, click ‘verify now,’ and enter the code in the appropriate field.

Phone:

Some organizations opt for phone verification of their Google My Business listing (Google Business Profile). However, this option is not initially available to everyone, so consider yourself fortunate if you receive this choice, as it takes only a few minutes. During phone verification, you can choose between receiving an automated call or a text message on any of your mobile devices, especially your business phone. Opting for the code by phone results in an actual call from a Google representative.

Email Option:

As you initiate the verification process for your Google Business Profile, you’ll encounter the ‘verify business by email’ option if your business is eligible. Before clicking ‘verify now,’ ensure the business manager email or any displayed email is accurate. Open your email inbox to find a message from GMB containing the code needed to verify your Google My Business listing. Keep in mind that email verification requires access to the designated email address.

Instant Verification:

Instant verification is a highly advantageous but underutilized method to verify your Google My Business listing. If your website is already verified by the Google Search Console, you qualify for instant verification. However, not every business verified by the Google Search Console is eligible for this option. 

Instant verification depends on the level of trust Google has in your business. New businesses or those with limited online presence might not qualify for instant verification. In such cases, postcard verification remains the most reliable option. To use instant verification for your Google Business Profile, ensure you are signed in to your GMB using the same account regularly used for GSC.

Bulk Verification:

The bulk verification option is designed for organizations with over ten locations that need verification under a single entity. After signing in to your GMB account, click ‘verify now’ next to one of the locations, then select ‘chain.’ Ensure you provide the necessary information and submit the verification form.

Video Chat:

While not widely utilized, video chat verification has been available since November 2018. If your business qualifies for this option, you can use it by engaging in a video chat with a Google representative. 

This process requires the installation of the Google Hangout app, and it goes beyond merely providing a video recording of your business. The specialist may want to see various aspects, including your storefront, logo, public space, employees, and workplace.

Trusted Verifiers:

An alternative method is to consult with a trusted verifier, a certified partner authorized to verify Google Business Profiles through the Trusted Verifier mobile app. This program is invitation-only and cannot be applied for; an invitation from Google is necessary. This option was available until 2019 and was subsequently replaced by My Business Provider.

Google Product Experts:

Recently introduced, the Product Expert Program identifies the most dedicated and passionate webmasters as official Google Product Experts at different levels, such as Alumni, Platinum, Gold, and Silver. These experts have the capability to bypass many traditional verification methods for your Google Business Profile.

Local Guides:

Utilizing Local Guides is another means to verify your Google My Business listing. Local Guides form a global community of explorers who typically contribute through customer reviews, answering questions, sharing photos, editing places, and fact-checking on Google Search and Maps.

DO YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE WITH VERIFYING YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE?

Verifying your GMB profile might pose a challenge, especially if you’re uncertain about the right approach. Consider seeking guidance from an expert equipped with an effective toolkit to assess and manage your business presence on Google Search or Maps. Once your business is successfully verified, you can enhance its visibility on both Google Search and Maps.

Since the great majority of searches that produce websites visitors begin with google serach,Another major source of clicks and customers visiting businesses with physical locations, such as shops and restaurants, is Google Maps.

Since it’s necessary to rank in the Local Pack results (also known as Map Pack results).

Google My Business is the most crucial component of any Local SEO campaign. This means that the first action every local or small business should take to improve their local SEO is to create an account.

Here is an example of a Google My Business account in use- an Lawyer Office can be seen using their Google My Business account to appear in the Map Pack results.

Potential clients can view a continually growing collection of information from this page, including the business contact information and opening hours as well as specifics about the products and offers.

Related photos of the offices or samples of the work, clients testimonials. News related to th business and frequently asked questions, to mention a few.

By having your business listed on Google Maps, you may attract directly customers by taking advantage of searches that are conducted on Google and Maps. In order to foster trust and increase the likelihood that a search will result in a sale,

It also provides searchers with additional information, such as your business’s opening hours and services details, along with user reviews.

because of this having a Google Maps listing is crucial for any local business. However, How can a business owner add their business to Google Maps?

Google My Business ( Google Business Profile )has the Answer.

What is Google My Business (Google Business Profile)?

Google My Business (now known as Google business Profile) is a free online tool that lets businesses control how Google Maps display their locations.

Although having a website is not required in order to list your business on Google Maps, having one will help you get more exposure in Google local search results, which will improve your chance of making a sale or have a book.

How to set up Google My Business (Google Business Profile)?

we have created a short video to walk you through on HOW TO PUT YOUR BUSINESS ON GOOGLE MAPS?, utilizing  zaki-smma.co.za a digital marketing agency, as an example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHOmBV4js_E

Step:1 visiting the Google My Business main page.

Visit this page Google Business then select sign in. You can sign in with your Google account, which you use for thing like Google Drive, YouTube and Gmail.

Step:2 visiting the Google My Business main page.

Verify whether you business has already been listed.
After selecting Manage start typing the name of your business.

It might have already been created, in that case you can claim it. On the other hand you can enter your business name and select “Create a Business with the Provided Name” after that.

Step 3: verify your business name.

Check that your business name appears correctly after that. It should to appear as it does on your website and any place else that your business name is mentioned.

Step 4: Google My Business categories

Selecting a suitable Google My Business is now required. This is where your business should primarily be located. Once your profile has been set up, you can add more categories, so far now, just select the main category.

Step 5: Add your Google My Business location.

You can now decide if your business has a physical location that clients can visit.
If you are a business like : Plummer, electrician and cleaning services Just click NO.
If you are a Business Like : Gym, Store and restaurant that customers can visit your address Click on Yes

Step 6: Add your business address

Enter the exact address that appears on your website for your business.
When referencing your business address online, it’s crucial to use the same format and address everywhere. This help everything organized and helps to prevent misunderstandings.

Drag and zoom the map and position the marker on the exact spot where your business is located.

Step 7: Add locations you can serve or deliver.

This is where you can include whether you serve other locations.

If you Choose YES, you can list the cities, states, or nations that you serve.

If you Can’t Deliver your products outside the of your store or if you a service based business you will Click on NO like in the image bellow

Step 8: Adding your phone number or Email to your business details.

Next, your phone number that you want your customers to see in your profile then enter your website address (if you have one) and Google My Business other contact details (bonus points if you have a local number).

Next, Google will ask you this : Would you like alerts, notifications, or tips about ways to manage your business on Google?, Choose Yes and Press Next

Step 9: Add the services that you provide.

Provide the services that your business provides. You have the option to add custom services in addition to selecting from Google suggested services.

This is a crucial option because business without a physical location won’t appear in Google Maps.

Step 10: Finish & Manage your Google My Business Profile.

Finally, press Finish to save your profile.

Google My Business (Google Business Profile) Dashboard.

After finishing your profile, you will be able to access your dashboard on Google my Business (Google Business Profile), this place is where you can change you business information, opening hours pictures and description, any subcategories that your business belong to, and much more.

How to verify your Google My Business List?

To properly manage your Google My Business Profile, you will need to verify it. You can do this by entering code that will be sent in Text Massage or by mail the form of a postcard to the business address that you provide.

The Final results (How should be the Dashboard look like).

You will receive an email confirmation as soon as your profile is active. Customers can now locate your business on Google  maps and Google search.

Optional Step: Bing Places

You can import your Google My business details into Bing Places to further boost your visibility. This is Bing’s version of Google my Business, enabling your business to appear in both Bing’s local search results and Bing Maps

In order to guarantee that any modifications you make to your Google My Business profile are reflected in Bing, you can also sync you Bing Places profile.