Google My Business Optimization

Google My Business?

In this guide to Google My Business, you will discover the essential steps to verify your business and enhance your local search results. Google My Business, a service from Google, is specifically designed for local business owners. Promoting your business locally can often be challenging.

By using Google My Business, you can optimize your marketing efforts and improve your visibility in search results. This platform allows you to reach a broader audience more efficiently.

Google Business Profile, formerly known as Google My Business, is a free tool for business owners. It helps them control how their business appears on Google Maps. Initially, it shows the business name, address, phone number, contact details, business hours, delivery area, and reservation services links. When you click on a business listing, a sidebar opens on the right. This sidebar provides more information, such as busy times, questions and answers, photos, videos, and customer reviews.
Google Maps and Google Street View help new customers see what a place looks like before they visit for the first time.
Every business today needs to be easily found on Google. Most businesses know they need to improve their website and Google Ads, but many don’t realize there’s something else they should optimize: their Google business listing. This listing called your Business Profile, is a key way to show off your business and help customers find and learn about you quickly, right from the search results.

Manage Your Business Information

You can update your Google Business Profile at any time. This means you can always ensure your business hours, phone number, and other details are up-to-date, helping potential customers reach you with the most accurate information.In addition to serving as a central information hub for search engines and Google Maps, your Google Business Profile can also function as a bulletin board. You can create posts to share important updates, such as unexpected closures, temporary changes in business hours, or details about your services. These posts will be visible to anyone who searches for your business on Google or Google Maps, keeping your customers well-informed.

Google My Business profile Listing

Step 1: Log in

You need a Google account to use Google Business Profile. A Google Business Profile is different from a Google My Business account. The My Business account is what you use to access and make your Business Profile better. So, if you want to follow the tips in this guide to improve your profile, you’ll first need a Google My Business account. Once you have that, you tell Google to connect it with your Business Profile. To create your account, just go to Google.com/business.

Step 2: Business information

When you log in to Google Business Profile, they’ll ask for your business name. It’s important to fill out all the details because it helps Google show your business higher in local search results. Also, when people find your profile, they’re more likely to do something, like call or visit your website. To get started, focus on completing these important parts:

Name

Address

Phone number

Website Opening hours

Step 3: Business Type

This business profile is for anyone who sells things online, has a store, or offers services face-to-face. You can pick all the options that describe your business.Category and Attributes: (This means sorting things into groups based on what they are and their characteristics.)

Products and Services: (These are things a business offers to sell or provide to customers.)

From the Business: (This refers to information or things that come directly from the company.) Questions and Answers: (Owner-generated Queries)

Step 4: location or location targeting

Whether you’re running a business online or in the real world, you have to tell people which country you’re officially in. Sometimes, this country might not be where your business is located physically. If you have a shop or office, you’ll put down its address. You can also add your website link and extra details later. They might ask you to pinpoint your location on a map. If your business has customers can visit.

Step 5: Verify your business

Even if you don’t have a physical business location, you need to enter a mailing address to get verified. After that, you can choose to receive a verification code by email or by recording a short video showing you at work to prove you have a business. Most people would prefer the email code.

Usually, you don’t get to choose your verification method. Google will send a postcard to the address you provided, which takes about a week to arrive. When it does, enter the code to verify your business.

Sometimes, you might be able to verify by phone. If you’re eligible, you’ll see a “Verify by phone” option in your profile. Click “Verify now” and you’ll get an automated call with a code. Enter the code, and you’re all set.

If the postcard doesn’t arrive or you have other verification issues, contact Google My Business support on Twitter. Send a tweet to @GoogleMyBiz, and someone support team will help you. Once your business is verified, you can respond to reviews and update your business information.

Tips

Use special attributes

Some types of businesses, like restaurants, hotels, and service providers, have access to special features.

Hotels can show star ratings, sustainability info, amenities, check-in/out times, and a direct booking link.

Restaurants and bars can upload menus and allow reservations and online orders directly from search.

Service businesses can list the services they offer.

Healthcare providers in the U.S. can display health insurance info and accept online appointment bookings.

Most businesses can also use buttons for appointment booking, reservations, and online ordering.

You can add labels to your business listing to share important information, like if you are open by appointment only, wheelchair accessible, offer free Wi-Fi, or have outdoor seating.

Add real images

Photos can attract attention and make your business stand out in search results. If you have a physical location, take good pictures of your business in action. Try to add a new photo every week.

For the thumbnail photo, upload your logo. For the cover photo, use an image that best shows your brand.

If you’re not good at taking photos, consider hiring a professional photographer. Use these high-quality images on your social media, Google Business Profile, and website.

Google says that businesses with photos get more direction requests and clicks to their websites.

You can add a cover photo and other images when setting up your profile.