Google My Business is a free platform developed by Google that allows businesses how their business information shows up across Google Search and Google Maps.
As a local business owner, one of your biggest interests should be targeting your local audience and making sure you are found, that approach is known as Local SEO. Place your business right where people are looking for it or the services related to it is key to succeed and be profitable.
Why Google My Business is so important? The most popular search engine that people use to seek any information regarding a company or service is Google, and being on the business listing that Google provides to users is essential to let people know your business exits.
Setting up a Google My Business profile is a vital part of local SEO.
How To Set Up Google My Business: A Step-By-Step Guide
Boost your local presence by creating a Google My Business Profile for your business. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up a profile.
- Go to google.com/business/ and click the button “Manage now”
- Write your business name: In this second part, you have two options:
First, enter your business name on the section that says “type your business name” to confirm if your business listing already exists in order to avoid duplication or to add a new Google My Business Profile to an existing business in case you just opened a new location for that business.
- If your business hasn’t been listed on Google My Business then click on “Add your business to Google” and type the name of your business. Then click next.
- Choose your business category:
Google My Business allows you to have several categories but during the set up you have to choose the main category that fits your business best.
- Decide if your business will have a visible location or not:
- If your choice is Yes, fill the black spaces with your country, street address, city, state and zip code.
Note: Right after adding your business address, you need to define if your services are provided outside your location as well. If yes, you will need to add the service areas.
- Set your specific location on the map:
If your choice is No, you won’t have to add an address and instead you will see the following image to define your service areas.
- Add your contact detail:
Include your phone number and select the choice that applies to your business when it comes to a website. If you don’t have a website, Google My Business can create a google website with a simple layout and all the information you have provided.
- Complete the verification process:
After clicking on Finish, you will have to prove Google that your business really exists and that is where you say it is. There are two main verification methods, Postcards verification and Phone verification.
The postcard verification used to arrive 5 days, but due to COVID-19 it might take longer. While the phone verification is a quicker method to get an automated message with a verification code. Whether you select postcard verification or phone verification, you will need to go to your profile, look for the section that says “Pending verification” and click on “Enter verification code” to add your code. That’s it!
The Right Ally To Boost Your Local Presence
S-FX.com Small Business Solutions is a boutique web design and technology consulting agency geared towards start-up businesses, small businesses and non-profit businesses. We specialize in implementing low cost technology solutions to maximize efficiency and reduce business operating costs.
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