As a business owner, having a strong online presence is non-negotiable, that is, if you want to succeed in the digital space. This is because it will help you attract and retain both new and old customers.
One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by setting up a Google My Business account. With it, you get to increase your visibility on Google Search and Maps. This will help your customers to easily find and engage with your business.
So in this guide, we will walk you through a step-by-step process on how to set up your Google My Business account. We will also show you how to verify and manage it.
Let’s dive into it!
What is a Google My Business Account and Why Does It Matter
Some platforms allow business owners to advertise their market for free, and a Google My Business account is one of them. With it, your business appears on local search results and Google Maps. As a result, your customers can easily find your business.
For instance, if you own a coffee shop in Brooklyn, a Google My Business account can help your business appear in search results for “coffee shops in Brooklyn”. It can also appear in search results for “coffee shops near me”. With this visibility, you can drive more foot traffic to your store, thereby attracting new customers.
A Google My Business account is essential for increasing credibility and attracting customers, as it:
- Provides accurate and up-to-date business information for your customers
- Allows customers to review and rate your business, which, in turn, will help boost your reputation
- Enables you to post updates, offers, and events, increasing customer engagement
- Gives you the opportunity to monitor and respond to your customers’ reviews and feedback.
Google My Business Account Setup – What You Need Before Starting
To set up your account, here are some elements you should have ready:
- A Google Account: Create a Google account if you do not already have one. This is the account that will be used to manage your Google My Business account.
- Business Name: Make sure it is the same name used in your website, marketing materials, and other platforms to ensure consistency and credibility.
- Business Address: This is needed for local search and map visibility. If you do not have a physical store, though, you can set up a service area.
- Phone Number: Have an active phone number that your customers can use to contact you.
- Website URL: This is needed for driving traffic and providing more details about your business.
- High-Quality Photos: You will need clear, well-lit, and visually appealing photos for your logo, products, and services.
When done right, these elements help your customers trust your business more. You also show that you are serious about your business and committed to providing the best experience.
Step-by-Step Guide to Google My Business Account Setup
Now that you have everything you need, let’s get started with setting up your Google My Business account:
Step 1 – Sign in or Create a Google Account
To set up a Google My Business account, you will need a Google account. If you do not already have one, go ahead and create it. Here is how to do it:
To sign in, go to the Google account sign-in page, enter your email address and password. Click the Next button and then Sign in to your existing Google account.
To create a new Google account, click the Create account button. On the next page, enter your name and last name and click the Next button. Next, insert your email address and password in the provided fields and click Next. Remember to use a Google account that you can always access. This is because it will be used to manage your Google Business Profile in the future.
Enter a recovery email address and phone number (optional) and click Next. Lastly, check the box “I agree” after reviewing the terms of service.
Troubleshooting Tips for Login Issues
Here are some issues you may face and their fixes:
- Forgotten Password: Sometimes, you may have just forgotten your password. So click the “Forgot password” link on the sign-in page and follow the prompts to reset your password.
- Locked Account: If you are dealing with a locked account, wait a few hours before signing in again.
- Incorrect Credentials: Ensure your username and password are correct, free of typos.
Step 2 – Search for Your Business on Google
This is a very important step to take. You need to confirm if your business listing already exists on Google to avoid creating duplicates. This will help to prevent confusion for your customers and difficulty in managing your online presence.
To search for your business:
- Head on to google.com and type your business name in the search bar.
- Go through the search results to confirm if your business appears in Google Maps results.
- If you see your business displayed, check the accuracy of the information provided. This includes the business name, address, and phone number. If the information provided is incorrect, go ahead and request to edit the listing. However, if your business does not appear, you can then proceed to create a new listing.
Step 3 – Add or Claim Your Business
Next, head on to the Google Business Profile page and click the Manage Now button.
In the text field, enter your business name. If your business has already been listed, the field has a feature that shows its existence. In this case, you can then claim ownership of the business by clicking the Request Access button.
However, if your business has not yet been listed, go ahead and list it. After typing your business name in the text field, click the Continue button.
On the next page, select your business type. From the options provided, select the type of business you manage. There are usually three options to choose from:
- Online Retail: This is the option to select if your business provides products and services that are sold online.
- Local Store: For businesses with a physical location, you can select this option.
- Service Business: If your business provides services that are not physical products, like consultancy, education, healthcare, etc, select this option.
After selecting the option that best describes your business, click the Next button at the bottom left.
Step 4 – Choose the Right Business Category
The next step is to choose your business category. There are so many reasons why it is important to categorize your business.
For starters, with the right business category, your customers are able to find your business easily. It also has a direct impact on your search ranking and visibility. To help you choose the right category for your business, here are some tips you can follow:
- Choose a category that perfectly represents your business. Picture yourself as a customer to discern how you would search for your business online. You can then use those terms when choosing your category.
- Avoid broad categories as these can weaken your visibility. Rather, be specific with the categories you pick. For example, if you have a gym, you could use categories that highlight the various services you render. So if you use “Gym” as your business category, you can add additional categories like “Fitness Center”, “Personal Trainer”, or “Yoga Studio”.
- Do thorough research to help you identify successful categories your competitors are using.
After adding the categories to the text field, click the Next button.
Step 5 – Add Contact Details and Website
Having accurate contact information and a website for your Google Business profile is important. When a potential customer is able to contact you easily, they see your brand as being credible, increasing their trust in you.
Additionally, it will help to improve your local search ranking. This is because Google favors businesses with complete and accurate profiles.
As a result, you will experience an increase in your search rankings. And by extension, you are able to drive more conversions and sales for your business.
In this next step, the details you will need to enter depend on the business type you entered in Step 3. If your business is service-based, you will be required to list your service areas.
Next, select the region your business is based in, then click the Next button.
On the next page, put in the contact details you want to be shown to your customers.
For an online business, you will need to enter your website address and business category.
Next, put in your business address, scroll down, and click the Next button.
Step 6 – Upload Photos and Complete Your Profile
First impressions matter, right? This is what having a high-quality photo, logo, and compelling description does for your business. They help to make a great first impression on your potential customers.
A high-quality picture and logo represent your brand, showcase your business products and services. They can also help increase customer engagement and interactions.
Likewise, a compelling business description showcases your business’s value. It also encourages customers to visit your website or contact you. In addition, with the right keywords included, you get to improve your business’s search visibility.
How to Verify Your Google My Business Account
A verified Google My Business allows you to unlock the full potential of your online presence. Firstly, it shows that you are the authorized owner of your business.
Secondly, it allows your business to be displayed publicly on Google Search and Maps. Further, customers tend to trust a business with a verification badge, as it signals authenticity and credibility.
There are various verification methods Google uses:
- Postcard Verification: A postcard with a verification code will be sent to your business address.
- Phone Verification: Google will call your phone number to provide the verification code.
- Email Verification: For this method, the verification code is sent to your email address.
- Instant Verification: If your business is found to be eligible, it will be verified immediately.
To speed up your verification process, check out these tips:
- Double-check your business information to ensure it is accurate and consistent across the web.
- Choose a verification method that works best for your business.
- Respond quickly to verification requests, either by phone, email, or postcard. Always check your spam folder if you are expecting a verification email.
Managing and Optimizing Your Google My Business Account
Now that you have claimed and verified your Google account, you should keep it optimized and active. An optimized and active account not only improves your online presence but also boosts local search rankings and customer trust.
Here is how you can achieve these:
Update Business Hours
Your business hours should always be up-to-date so your customers know when your business is open. Remember to include holidays and special events. To do this, click on Edit Profile.
Next, select the “Hours” tab and click the edit icon under the “Opening Hours” section.
Go ahead and edit your business hours. You can also edit or update your business hours at any given time.
Respond to Reviews
Engage your customers by responding to their reviews, whether positive or negative. Appreciate every feedback they give and address their concerns as quickly as possible.
Post Updates
Keep your customers updated on all the news, promotions, and events. Make sure to use high-quality images and compelling descriptions
Add FAQs
Your customers will always have questions, some more frequent than others. Therefore, provide a section that answers their most frequently asked questions. You can also include questions you think they will want an answer to. This will help to showcase your expertise and build trust with your customers.
Track Insights
Use Google My Business insights to monitor your business’s performance. Analyze every piece of data to get a clear understanding of your customers’ behaviour and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Performing regular updates is crucial to the success of your business, as it tells Google that your business is active and relevant. It also helps boost your online rankings. Further, regular response to reviews fosters trust with potential customers. You also give your customers the chance to interact with your business through news and event updates.
Common Google My Business Issues and Quick Fixes
It is normal to encounter some problems with your Google My Business account. Not to worry, though, we have got you covered. Here are some common problem and their fixes:
Suspended Account
If your account gets suspended, you will not be able to access it. Do not panic, though. If this is your case, simply reach out to Google support and provide the necessary documentation to verify your business and identity. To avoid future suspensions, ensure your business information is always correct and up-to-date.
Incorrect Information
This is a common issue. Incorrect or outdated business information can cause you to have issues with your Google My Business. So edit your profile and update any incorrect information. Remember to always review your business profile to ensure its accuracy.
Delayed Verification
If your verification is taking longer than expected, try checking your spam folder. However, if the email isn’t in your spam folder, simply request a new verification code. To speed up your verification process, make sure your business information matches your website to ensure consistency across the web.
Following these troubleshooting tips will help you get your account back on track and get more customers to your business.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, setting up, verifying, and maintaining a Google My Business account is important for your business’s online visibility and attracting customers. With the help of our guide, you can do just that while increasing your business growth.
To help your business grow, we have provided you with many resources. Our guides are aimed at improving your digital marketing strategy, boosting search engine rankings, and driving more sales and revenue. Do well to subscribe to our blog for more insights and guides on growing your business.
FAQs About Google My Business Account and Its Setup
How do I Log in to my Google My Business Account?
To log in to your Google My Business account, go to the Google My Business website and click Sign In. Then, enter your Google account email and password, complete two-step verification if required, and you’ll be redirected to your dashboard to manage your business profile.
Why is my Google My Business Account Suspended?
Your Google My Business account may be suspended if you violate Google’s guidelines or fail to comply with its policies. Common reasons include duplicate listings, unverified profiles, incorrect business information, or generating fake reviews and ratings. Any misleading or inconsistent activity can trigger a suspension and remove your listing from search results.
How can I delete a Google My Business Account?
To delete a Google My Business account, just sign in and select the business profile you want to remove. Click on “More,” then “Business Profile Settings,” and choose “Remove Business Profile.” Confirm your decision to permanently remove the profile from your account.
What Happens if I Cancel or Delete my Google My Business Account?
Deleting your Google My Business profile means your business will no longer appear on Google Search and Maps, making it harder for customers to find you. So, all business information will be removed, customers won’t be able to leave reviews or ratings, and your local SEO performance may decline.
