Google’s free tool to help you promote your business locally has been known by a few names, most recently it was Google My Business, but now it is known as Google Business Profile. Putting your business at the heart of relevant searches and Google Maps, whatever name they have given it over the years, the Google Business profile has been an essential tool to build local sales growth and more.
What is Google My Business and Why Does it Matter?
Google My Business was the leading tool provided by Google for promoting your business to local consumers. Google likes to rebrand everything regularly, so Google My Business is now called Google Business Profile, but what it does hasn’t changed.
Google My Business or Google Business Profile, whatever you call it, is a listing for your business that appears in relevant local search results, and directly on Google Maps. Featuring all your contact details, photos of your business and what you do, links to your website, reviews and direct messaging, it has everything about your business in one place.
Google users can see, read and then get in touch with you, or get directions to your business, all in one place. It boosts local visibility, increases visitors and ultimately helps you grow sales locally. Best of all, Google Business profile is entirely free to use as well.
If you don’t have a Google Business Profile, you are missing out. Just as importantly, if your competitors do have one, and you do not, you are letting them build their business locally, taking customers that could be yours. This is why your Google My Business/Google Business Profile matters, and it matters to every business looking for local consumers, whatever product or service you offer.
How Do I Claim My Business on Google?
The good news is that this very effective free tool is available to any business that meets with customers face to face. Whether that is in a store, or you visit consumers at their location, a Google Business profile can help you grow sales and achieve your business goals.
But what happens if your business appears on Google Maps without you setting up a profile yourself? Don’t worry, this is a common thing and doesn’t mean someone is trying to steal your business name or anything. Most of the time, Google’s own system will create an entry for businesses that are frequently searched for, and there is a well-designed system to claim ownership yourself so you can edit details, add content and so on.
Here are the 5 steps to claiming your Google My Business:
- Visit your GBP to begin the process of filling out your profile
Just head over to Google.com/business to get started. You will need to log into your Google account, so have everything ready. If you don’t have a Google account or would like to have a separate account just for your business, you can create it here too.
You should add additional security here if you don’t already use 2-factor authorization too, to make sure your GBP is as secure as possible once in use.
- Enter your business address to locate it on Google Maps
Once signed in, you can enter your address in Google Maps to go to your location, and you will find the profile for your business right there.
- Fill in all relevant business information
If you click on the profile, click on the dots at the right, and you will find a list of options to the left. One of those is ‘Claim this business’, click on that to begin the process. You will first be asked to enter all the details for the business, name, address phone numbers and so on. If your business doesn’t have a profile at all, you can create a new one by clicking Get Started at the top right. You will be asked for the same information about the business, and both applications work the same way.
- Verify your account
This is where you prove you own, or have management rights, for the business. Google has several options for verification, all involve Google sending you a code, which you then enter to prove you are who you say you are. The options available are:
- Postcard to the Business Address
- Email to the Business Email
- Text to your Business Mobile
- Automated Call to the Business Phone Number
- Video
- Google Search Console
Which verification options you have access to will depend on the location and business type, but whichever Google offers, just select the easiest one for you. They only differ in how Google sends you the code, obviously a postcard takes the longest, but the basic idea is you receive a message from Google with a code. You then go to your Google Business Profile, click verify and enter the code.
Google Search Console is a little different. If you are already registered and verified there, you just have to link the two and you are instantly verified, with no code to enter.
- Keep it Updated!
Finally, once you have access, make sure you update your profile regularly. Make sure that all contact details, addresses and so on are accurate, if anything changes, update your profile immediately. This is because Google will not promote a profile that has discrepancies, such as your phone number being different on your website to the profile.
But your Google My Business is more than just a listing. Google reviews appear directly on it, and you can add posts to update customers on offers and other benefits too. Additionally, you can post videos and photos, make informative blog posts and more. Think of your Google Business Profile as more like a social media account, where regular updates keep people returning, and are rewarded with higher ranking from Google.
How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)
Having a Google Business profile is essential, but if you want to get the most out of it you need to do more. By optimizing your profile with quality posts, managing your reviews well, and adding updates, photos, videos and so on, it will rank higher in results, and appear in the local 3-pack on Google Maps. That means more local customers are seeing your business, resulting in more enquiries and more sales along with increased local visibility. You can read more details about optimization in our dedicated post.
Conclusion
For many businesses, local consumers are everything. If you have a physical store or offer services that involve travelling to a location to provide them, then customers in your area are the only ones that matter. Google My Business, or Google Business Profile as it is now, is a free tool that helps you get your business out there in front of people who are actively looking for your products or services in your area.
Too often, online marketing advice is aimed at global, or at least national reach, when for many businesses like yours, local marketing is what you need. However, even for businesses operating at a larger scale, having Google Business Profiles for each location or district you work from is still important. Never lose sight of the value of building local visibility to enhance your broader marketing work, because it is incredibly effective.
Claiming your Google Business Profile is relatively easy. Just follow the steps, make sure you enter all details accurately and don’t forget to keep them updated to get the most from it. As local marketing experts, Grid Rankers provide dedicated Google Business Profile services, covering everything from claiming your profile to optimization and ongoing management, so you can take full advantage of the benefits of a GBP without the time investment. That way, you can focus on your business, and we take care of your local marketing. Just talk to our team today to find out more.
FAQ
What Do You Do If Your Business Is Already Claimed?
You can claim ownership of the business through the profile itself, the option is to the left. You will be asked to verify ownership, such as a code sent to your business’ telephone number.
How To Claim Your Google Business Profile Listing Through Google Maps
Just search for your business address, and then click on the profile. You will find a ‘claim my business’ button, click that and follow the instructions.
How Can I Access My Google Business Profile Account?
Go to google.com/business and click sign in at the top right. Enter your email and password, then any 2-factor authorization you have set up, and you will be logged in.
Why Claim A Google Business Profile Listing?
Ownership allows you to edit the profile, respond to Google reviews, add new content such as photos and videos and also respond to direct messages from consumers. Without that, you miss out on most of the benefits that come from having a Google Business Profile.