If you want to get the most out of the newly renamed Google Business Profile (a.k.a. Google My Business), you’ll need to optimize it. Let’s talk about are a few quick and easy ways to achieve that

Google is, by far, the the most visited website on the planet. It currently possesses more than 92% of the world’s search engine market share. Today, creating a Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is an important method of attracting net-new customers to your business through Google search and Google Maps.

What is Google Business Profile (a.k.a. Google My Business)?

Google Business Profile is yet another great free Google business listing. It provides your business the ability to promote your business details and photos, which of course includes your location, services, and products you offer.

Creating your free profile is a fantastic way to increase your business’ visibility across all Google services. The information you add to your Google Business Profile will show up in Google searches, Google Maps and even Google Shopping.

However, Google Business Profile is only available to those business types that actually have contact with their customers. We’re talking about businesses with a physical location like a store or restaurant.  It’s also good for businesses that provide their services by meeting their clients in other locations like plumbers or real estate agents.

Unfortunately, if you have an online-only business, you’ll have to use other tools like Google Ads.

Why does your business need a Google My Business account?

Get discovered in Google Maps

Whether you’re looking for increased web traffic or foot traffic, Google is easily the best search referrer. A Google Business Profile make sure that potential customers find your business when they’re looking for products and services just like yours in their local service areas.

Google My Business listings show searchers how, where and when to visit your business. A Google Business Profile can also greatly improve your local SEO. In fact, listings for local businesses are more likely to appear when people search for a business that’s nearby using Google Maps.

Control over your online business information

Your Google Business profile allows you to fully control and update your business contact information.  You can also fully edit your hours of operation and other essential business details as needed.

You can use it to post updates to announce that you’ve expanded your services, temporarily closed down, or fully reopened. This is an essential feature during emergencies such as COVID-19. Google Business Profiles also have powerful local SEO attributes. This means that the information you share will usually rank above third-party sites that often have out-of-date information.

Build trust through reviews

These days, Google Reviews are a key element of “social proof”, and a powerful way to build trust and credibility with potential customers.

Google’s popular “star rating” and options for detailed customer reviews allows people to share as much or as little info about their experiences with your business.  This helps future potential customers to choose the products to buy and which businesses to visit.

How to set up a Google Business Profile

Step 1: First, sign in to Google Business Profile Manager

Chances are, you’re already logged into a Google account and were automatically logged into your Google Business Profile Manager account. If not, simply enter your Google account details or create a brand new Google account.

Step 2: Add your business

All you need to do is enter your business name. If it doesn’t appear in the drop-down list, simply click “Add your business to Google”. Next select the  category that best describes your business and click “Next”.

Step 3: Enter your location

If your business has a physical location that customers can visit, select “Yes”. Then just add the address of your business. During this process, you may be asked to position a location marker for your business on a map. If your business doesn’t have a physical location but does offer in-person services or house calls, you can just list your service areas. Then click “Next”.

Now, if you’re one of the many business types that  did not enter a physical address, Google will now ask you to specify exactlywhich region/s you’re based out of. Choose your region from the drop-down list and click “Next”.

Step 4: Enter your contact information

Fill in your business phone number and web address so that potential customers can reach you. If you don’t want to be contacted by phone then  don’t enter a phone number here.

When you’re finished, click “Next”.

Step 5: Verify your business

Enter your business’ authentic physical address (never a post office box). This information will only ever be used to verify your business. It will not be visible on your Google Business Profile or shared in any way with others.

Enter your address then click “Next” .

At this point, you’ll be given options to verify your account. Businesses with a physical address will have a verification postcard sent to their location by mail. Whereas, service-area businesses can easily get verified through their email address.

Once you have received your Google Business Profile five-digit code, you just enter it on the following screen and click “Verify” or “Verify business” and you’re done!

As we  mentioned at the beginning of this article, to get the most out of your GMB (Google My Business) listing, you will need to have it professionally optimized.  This process is usually part of every Local SEO package.  It is HIGHLY recommended that you have your Google Business Profile optimized if you want to rise to the top of local search engines and local maps!