If you’re looking to learn how to create a Google Business Page, this comprehensive guide will help you in your online success.
But before we begin, let’s understand the difference between your Google Business Page and your Google Business Profile.
Your Google Business Profile is like your online business identity card. It’s what people see when they search for your business: your name, address, phone number, reviews, and more. Your Google Business Page, on the other hand, is the tool you use to control and enhance that identity. It’s where you update info, post updates, and engage with your audience.
In this article, we will explore the crucial steps to set up and verify your Google Business Profile, highlighting the importance of creating a Google My Business account and providing detailed instructions on each key aspect to help your business establish a strong online presence.
Table Of Contents
Why Set Up a Google My Business account?
Why is creating a Google My Business account essential for your business? To answer this question, we would like to highlight some key reasons to consider setting up a GMB account:
1. There’s a potential to lose customers
Your potential customer is searching for a service or product you offer on Google, but they can’t find any information about your business. Without knowing how to create a Google Business Page and setting up a Google My Business profile, you might miss out on connecting with this customer. Setting up your account ensures that when people in your area search for what you provide, they can easily find you, your contact information, and even your reviews. This way, you can seize those opportunities and turn potential customers into loyal ones by establishing a strong online presence.
2. There’s a chance of damaging your reputation
Without an active Google My Business account, you can’t control the information that appears about your business online. Others might create unofficial listings with incorrect details, leading to confusion or even harm to your reputation. By setting up a Google My Business account and managing it, you can ensure that accurate and positive information is presented to potential customers, helping you build trust and credibility.
3. You fall behind competitors
In today’s digital age, many of your competitors are likely to have a strong online presence through Google My Business. If your business isn’t there, you risk losing customers to them. When potential customers compare options in your area, they often rely on the information readily available on Google. By creating and maintaining your Google My Business account, you stay competitive and ensure that you’re in the running for their business.
4. You surrender your presence on the SERP
The Search Engine Results Page (SERP) is where people find businesses like yours when they search on Google. If you don’t have a Google My Business account, you’re missing out on a significant portion of this valuable online real estate. Your competitors who do have accounts will appear prominently on the SERP, making it more likely that potential customers will click on their listings instead of yours. To maximize your visibility and make it easier for people to find you, setting up a Google My Business account is essential.
How to Set Up Your Google Business Profile?
If you’re wondering how to create a Google Business page, rest assured that it’s a straightforward process. By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive profile that will not only help your business stand out on Google Maps but also optimize your visibility in local search results, which is a key objective of local SEO services.
1. Go to Google Maps and Add Your Business
To get started, open your web browser and go to Google Maps. In the search bar, type in your business name. If your business doesn’t appear in the search results, don’t worry; you can still add it.
If your business name does not populate with an address, select it and you’ll see something like this:
Select “Add a missing place,” and you’ll see a screen like this:
Google Maps is a widely used navigation and mapping service that helps people find places, get directions, and discover local businesses and services. By adding your business to Google Maps, you can make it easier for potential customers to find you when they’re searching for products or services in your area. Approximately 77% of smartphone users utilize Google Maps to find businesses nearby, as highlighted by a Gitnux Market Data report.
2. Create Your Business Account
If you want to learn how to create a Google Business Page, the first step is to set up your Business Account:
- If you already have a Google Account, such as a Gmail account, go to www.google.com/business and click the “Sign in” button in the upper right corner. Enter your email address and password to sign in.
- If you don’t have a Google Account, you can easily create one by clicking the “Create account” button on the Google My Business sign-in page. Follow the prompts to set up your Google Account. You’ll need to provide your name, email address, password, and other basic information.
3. Fill Out Your Business Name and Category
Let’s delve deeper into the importance of filling out your business name and category when setting up a Google My Business profile:
Accurate Business Name
Your business name is the first piece of information potential customers will see when they find your business on Google. It’s crucial to provide your business name exactly as it appears in the real world. Accuracy is key here. If you have a registered business name or a commonly recognized trade name, use that.
Consistency across online listings is essential. Ensure that your business name matches what you’ve used on your website, social media profiles, and other online platforms. This consistency helps establish trust with customers and avoids confusion.
Avoid adding keywords, location information, or unnecessary special characters to your business name, as this violates Google’s guidelines and may result in your listing being removed or penalized.
Choosing the Right Category
Selecting the appropriate business category is crucial for helping potential customers find you. Google provides a wide range of categories, so choose the one that best represents your primary business activities.
Be specific with your category selection. For example, if you run a bakery, don’t just select “Food and Drink” but rather “Bakery.” This specificity ensures that your business appears in relevant search results.
Your chosen category helps Google understand the nature of your business and matches it with user queries. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of your business showing up when someone is searching for services or products you offer.
You can also select multiple categories if your business offers a variety of services or products. However, the primary category should represent your core business.
4. Add Your Contact Information
Include essential contact details like your phone number and website URL. These details make it easy for customers to get in touch with you or visit your website for more information. Providing accurate contact information is essential for building trust with potential customers.
5. Add Your Location
Accurate location information is fundamental to the discoverability of your business on Google Maps and search results, making it a critical aspect of search engine optimization (SEO) services. Let’s understand the importance of adding your business location accurately on Google My Business:
Precise Address Information
If your business has a physical location, entering your address is a critical step. This is especially important for businesses like retail stores, restaurants, offices, or service centers that customers visit in person.
Ensure that you provide precise details, including your street address, city, state, postal code, and any additional information that may help customers locate your business, such as suite or unit numbers.
Verify Your Location
After entering your address, Google My Business will typically require verification. This verification process often involves receiving a postcard at the provided address with a verification code. Once received, you’ll need to log in to your account and enter the code to confirm your business’s location.
6. Choose Your Service Area
If your business offers services without a physical storefront, defining your service area is crucial. You can specify cities, postal codes, or a radius around your location. Being precise ensures you reach the right audience.
Key Benefits:
- Helps potential customers find you in local searches.
- Avoids unnecessary inquiries from outside your operational zone.
- Optimizes visibility for mobile users searching nearby.
- Builds trust with consistent and accurate service area information.
- Keep it up-to-date as your business expands or narrows its focus.
7. Opt-In to Updates and Recommendations
Google may provide updates and recommendations on how to create a Google Business Page, improve your Business Profile, and boost visibility. It’s a good idea to opt-in to these suggestions as they can help you enhance your online presence and reach more customers. This will keep your business current with the latest digital marketing trends.
By following these simple steps, you’ll have a fully set up Google Business Profile that can help your business attract more customers and stand out in local search results. This is a crucial component of a comprehensive digital marketing strategy for your business. Regularly update your profile with accurate information, respond to customer reviews, and use the profile as a valuable tool for connecting with your target audience.
How To Verify Your Business On Google
Once you’ve learned how to create a Google Business Page, the next important step is verifying it to unlock all the features and benefits that come with it.
Verifying your business on Google is a crucial step to gaining control over your Business Profile and ensuring that potential customers can find accurate information about your business. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to verify your business on Google:
1. Submit a request to claim ownership of your Business Profile
Once you’ve signed in to Google My Business, you’ll need to claim ownership of your Business Profile. To do this, search for your business using its name and address. If you find your Business Profile, click on it. If not, you can create a new one or request access to the existing one.
When you’re claiming an existing Business Profile, click on “Claim this business.” Google will guide you through the steps to verify your association with the business. You might be asked to provide additional information to prove your ownership or authorization to manage the profile.
2. Confirm ownership of your business
Google offers several methods to verify your ownership, including by mail, phone, email, or instant verification (if your business is eligible). Here’s a brief overview of each method:
Mail: Google will send a postcard with a verification code to your business address. Once you receive it, log in to your Google My Business account and enter the code to complete the verification.
Phone: If this option is available, Google will call your business phone number with a verification code. Enter the code when prompted to verify your ownership.
Email: In some cases, Google may send the verification code to your business email address. Check your inbox, find the email, and follow the instructions to verify.
Instant Verification: This option is available for some businesses that have already verified their business website with Google Search Console. If you’re eligible, select this option, and Google will verify your business instantly.
Grow Your Business Online with the CDAP
As you’ve learned the importance of establishing a strong online presence with a Google Business Profile, why not take the next step in digitally transforming your business? We are here to help you harness the power of the CDAP Grant, propelling your business to new heights.
With our expertise in digital strategy and marketing, we’ll guide you through the CDAP application process and beyond, ensuring your business leverages the most effective digital tools and practices.
Ready to boost your business with CDAP? Contact us now for a comprehensive consultation. Let’s embark on this digital journey together!
FAQs
Regular updates are key. Aim to review and refresh your profile at least once a month, and promptly update it for any changes, promotions, or new offerings. This keeps your information current and boosts your online reputation.
Double-check your information for accuracy. If issues persist, contact Google Support for guidance. Verification is crucial for credibility and visibility, so it’s worth addressing any challenges.
No, creating and managing a Google Business Profile is entirely free. Google offers advertising services like Google Ads separately, with their pricing.
Absolutely. Google My Business allows you to manage multiple locations efficiently from one dashboard. Customize each profile to reflect specific details and offerings for each location, maximizing your online reach.