Make the most of your Google Business Profile

If you run a business, having a Google Business Profile is essential. So, what exactly is it? Well, a Google Business Profile is a free tool designed to assist local businesses in managing their online visibility on Google Search and Maps. Think of it as a compact website tailored specifically for your business within Google’s ecosystem. With it, you can regulate how potential customers discover and gather information about your business.

Here are some key things to know about Google Business Profile:

• For local businesses, Google Business Profile is primarily geared towards those with physical locations or service areas, rather than solely online ventures.
• You can efficiently manage your business information by updating details such as your address, phone number, operating hours, website, photos, and the services you offer.
• Boost your visibility by claiming your Business Profile, ensuring that accurate information appears on Google Search and Maps, thus increasing your chances of being discovered by local customers.
• Engage directly with your customer base by responding to reviews, addressing queries, and sharing updates, all within the Google platform.
• Verified Business Profiles carry greater trust and credibility, with customers being twice as likely to consider them reputable.
• Best of all, creating and managing your Business Profile is both free and user-friendly through Google’s platform.

Here are some examples of how businesses can use Google Business Profile:

• A restaurant can display their menu, photos of their dishes, and link to their online ordering system.
• A hairdresser can showcase their services, prices, and stylist profiles.
• A plumber can highlight their areas of expertise and show customer reviews.

Your Google Business Profile can do more for your business than you know, but you need to use it!

Verify your Business

It’s possible that you already possess a Google business profile, even if you haven’t created one intentionally. If you’re a business owner with a physical address, it’s quite likely that your business is listed on Google. However, it’s essential to claim and verify your business, even if it’s already present on Google, to ensure you can fully leverage its effectiveness.

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to verify a business on Google Business Profile:

Find or create your Business Profile:

• If your business is already on Google:
  • Search for your business on Google Search or Maps.
  • Click on your business name when it appears.
  • Click on the “Claim this business” button.
• If your business isn’t listed yet:
  • Go to https://business.google.com and click on “Add your business to Google.”
  • Follow the prompts to create a new profile, providing accurate information about your business.

Initiate verification:

• Once you’re in your Business Profile, click on the “Get verified” button. There are several ways you can verify your business. However, you may not be offered all these options.

General methods:

• Instant verification: This option is rare and only applies to businesses with strong online presence or connections to Google products. If available, your profile will be automatically verified without requiring further action.
• Email verification: You’ll receive a verification email with a link to click. This simple method verifies ownership of the email connected to your Business Profile.

Location-based methods:

• Phone call or SMS: Google will call or text a verified phone number associated with your business. You’ll need to answer the call or enter the received code to verify.
• Postcard: This traditional method sends a postcard with a unique verification code to your business address. Once received, enter the code to verify.

Additional methods:

• Video verification: In some cases, you might be asked to record a short video of yourself holding a government-issued ID and stating your business name. This is for extra security in sensitive categories.
• Bulk verification: If you manage multiple locations under one business, Google may offer bulk verification options through tools like Google My Business API.

Not all verification methods will be available to you. The postcard method is the most common and is typically offered to most businesses. However, there are cases where businesses are only given the option of video verification. You’re free to select the verification method that suits you best from those provided. Remember, it’s crucial to verify your listing, as without verification, you won’t be able to manage the content within it.

Factors affecting available methods:

• Business category: Certain categories might have limited verification options based on Google’s risk assessment.
• Public information: If your business information is readily available online, Google might rely on those sources for verification, minimizing the need for additional steps.
• Region and support volume: Verification options can vary depending on your location and Google’s resources in that area.

Once verified, optimize your listing

Optimizing your Google Business Profile is important for local businesses. Here are key things you should ensure are entered and optimized:

Basic Information:

• Accurate and Consistent NAP: This refers to your Name, Address, and Phone number.
  • Verify these details across all online platforms to maintain consistency for search engines and users.
• Primary and Secondary Categories: Choose the most relevant categories that accurately describe your business’s core offerings. Research popular search terms used by your target audience to guide your selection.
• Attributes: Select relevant attributes like wheelchair accessibility, pet-friendliness, or payment options to further clarify your services and attract specific customer segments.

Engaging Content:

• Compelling Business Description: Maximize the 750-character limit to showcase your unique selling points, key services, and any special offers. Include local keywords and a call to action.
• High-Quality Photos and Videos: Post visually appealing images of your storefront, products, team, or happy customers. Showcase your ambiance and offerings, using professional-looking photos and adding captions for accessibility.
• Regular Google Posts: Share news, announcements, events, or promotions through engaging posts. Include enticing visuals and calls to action, and schedule regular updates to stay fresh in customers’ minds.

Customer Engagement:

• Respond to Reviews Promptly: Acknowledge both positive and negative reviews professionally and address any concerns promptly. This shows dedication to customer satisfaction and builds trust.
• Enable Q&A: Allow potential customers to ask questions directly on your profile. Answering promptly and accurately demonstrates expertise and encourages engagement.
• Manage Messaging: If enabled, respond to customer messages efficiently through the messaging feature. Prompt communication fosters positive interactions and potential conversions.

Additional Optimizations:

• Link your website: Connect your website to your Business Profile for seamless navigation and increased website traffic.
• Track Insights: Utilize Google My Business Insights to monitor search queries, clicks, and demographics of your audience. Analyze data to refine your optimization strategies.
• Stay Updated: Regularly review and update your profile information, hours of operation, and offerings to ensure accuracy and avoid frustrating customers with outdated information.

Remember, optimization is an ongoing process. By consistently adding value, engaging with customers, and monitoring performance, you can ensure your Google Business Profile attracts leads, builds trust, and ultimately helps your business flourish.

Maintain your Google Business Profile

Setting up your business profile is just step one. Now it’s time to maintain. That means checking in with it regularly, adding photos, updating content, adding posts, and making sure it’s accurate and up to date.

• Do your hours change for the holidays or seasonally? Make sure your hours stay updated in your Google Business Profile.
• Do you offer specials or offers regularly or occasionally? Add those to your Google Business Profile as posts. Adding a new post once a week can get you more interaction and more clicks.
• Do you have messaging turned on? More and more people are looking to message people through the Google profile. If you want to manage your messages through your phone, make sure you install Google Maps and login to your account in the map app. If you have notifications turned on for the app, you’ll get a notification when people contact you via your profile and you can message with them in the app.
• Request reviews from happy customers. Did you know that it takes six positive reviews to negate one negative review? People are much more likely to leave a review when they are unhappy. However, you can ask your customers to leave reviews, and most of the time, people are happy to do it if you just ask. Check out our online review service to learn about getting more reviews to your Google Business Profile.