What is Google My Business and how to set up your GMB listing?

The first thing you need to know about Google My Business is that it is free. Given the global dominance of google, there is absolutely no reason as to why your business shouldn’t be on the google my business listing.

Just the way business cards were prominent and essential to establish your business’s presence, Google My Business helps you establish your online presence. 

So what exactly is Google My Business? 

The short answer for you is – Google My Business enables you to create a listing for your business online. It helps customers find you via google search. 

Now why is this important? Well out of the total 3 Billion searches a day on Google, almost 50% of the search is for local businesses. So, it goes without saying that if you have not listed your business on GMB, YOU ARE MISSING OUT!! 

If not your business, your competitors’ business will pop up in a relevant google search. So let’s quickly look into how you can set up your google my business page. 

How to set up a Google My Business Page? 

Follow these steps to have your google my business page up and running –

Note – You need to have a google account to follow the steps below 

You can go to https://www.google.com/business/ to go to Google My Business. 

Step 1: Go to the Manage now on the Google My Business Page

There could be a possibility that you have already set up your GMB page in the past and forgotten about it. In that case you don’t want to spend your time setting up your page again. Just go to Google My Business’s Manage now page and search for your business. If you’ve already set up the page you can easily find it as a pop-up which you can click onto. If you don’t find your business you can click the ‘add your business to google’ link. 

Step 2: Enter Your Business Name

This is the step where you fill out your business name. Be careful while writing your business name and make sure it exactly matches your business. You don’t want any confusion from your customers regarding your business name. 

Step 3: Choose your business category

This step allows you to choose your business category. You will get a number of options here. From the list you can choose the one that matches your business the most. If you wish, you can also choose multiple categories for your business. You also have the option available to come back and change the category listing if needed. 

Step 4: Add a location to your business

If your business has a physical storefront, you should add your location here. This will enable google to not only verify your business but also make it easier for your customers to find you. 

Fill in your full business location. Do not miss out on any detail! 

If you don’t have a physical storefront, or you are not ready with the location yet you have the option of not adding the location to your google my business page. 

Step 5: Review Possible Listings

Once you’ve filled out your business name and location you would be asked to review some listings. If google finds a possible match to your business it will show it to you. If any of those are a match to your business you can select it. If not you can simply click ‘None of These’ and move on to the next step. 

Step 6: Choose Whether or Not You Serve Users Outside of This Location

This depends on what kind of business you are. For example, if to avail your services customers need to come to the store ( Like a nail art store) you would choose no. 

On the other hand if you are in the food business you might have a restaurant and also have the option of a takeaway and delivery. In this case you would select yes. 

Step 7: Add the areas that you serve (optional)

This optional step is applicable if you chose ‘yes’ in the previous step. This allows you to add the locations where you would serve. You can add as many locations as you like. 

Step 8: Decide which contact information you would like displayed

Probably one of the most important parts of setting up your Google My Business page is adding in your contact information so that customers or potential customers can easily reach you. You can add your Phone number or a link to your website. If you do not have a website you can get a free website by Google based on your information.

Step 9: Opt-in to Updates and Recommendations

Next you need to choose whether or not you want to opt-in to updates and recommendations from Google on your GMB page. We recommend that you do opt-in; however, it is your call.

Step 10: Click on ‘Finish’ 

Now that you have set up all essential information, you are good to go. Just click Finish and your set up journey is almost complete. 

Step 11: Verify Your Listing

When it comes to verifying your business on Google My Business, you get two options. Either you can verify it instantly by receiving an automated call and get your code, or you can choose to receive a postcard with your code. Receiving the postcard to your mentioned address can take up to 4 days while receiving an automated call would be instant.

You also have the option of verifying your listing later, but that could cause hindrance in setting up your listing. 

Step 12: Hooray!! GMB Dashboard is activated! 

After you have verified your listing, you would now be able to see your Google My Business dashboard. This will allow you to add pictures, reviews, directions, posts, logo, descriptions and much more.

“It is important to not only correctly set up your GMB profile, but to actively manage it as if it were a live, organic entity,” says Darath Leon of Proactive SEO Solutions.  “Google stresses the importance of businesses being responsive to patients, whether to comments, answering questions, or posting events. Also, facilitating the creation of reviews by your customers is paramount for your reputation.”

Now that you have completely set up your Google My Business listing, you would want to know how to optimize your listing. The most important thing to remember is that you need to fill in as much information about your business as you can. Don’t forget to add media such as a business profile photo, the area you serve, your hours, attributes (e.g. “wheelchair accessible,” “free wifi”), the day and year you opened, and a public phone number and website URL

Learn how to optimize your GMB listing in detail in our next article. Stay tuned!