How to Setup Google My Business

How to Setup Google My Business

May 21, 2021

Google My Business (GMB) is a powerful tool that helps businesses manage their online presence across Google Search and Maps. Setting up and optimizing your GMB profile is crucial for improving your visibility, attracting local customers, and enhancing your online reputation. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to set up Google My Business, from creating your account to optimizing your profile and leveraging GMB features.

1. Understanding Google My Business

a. What is Google My Business?

Google My Business is a free tool that allows businesses to create and manage their online listings on Google. A well-optimized GMB profile can help your business appear in local search results, Google Maps, and the Knowledge Panel, providing potential customers with essential information about your business (https://www.google.com/business/).

b. Benefits of Google My Business
  • Increased Visibility: Improve your chances of appearing in local search results and Google Maps.
  • Customer Engagement: Interact with customers through reviews, messages, and posts.
  • Business Insights: Gain valuable insights into customer behavior and search performance.
  • Credibility: Build trust with potential customers by providing accurate and up-to-date information (https://www.hubspot.com/google-my-business).

2. Setting Up Google My Business

a. Create Your Google My Business Account
  1. Sign In to Google My Business: Go to the Google My Business website and sign in using your Google account. If you don’t have a Google account, create one.
  2. Enter Your Business Name: Start by entering your business name. If your business appears in the drop-down menu, select it. If not, click "Add your business to Google."
  3. Choose Your Business Category: Select the most appropriate category for your business. This helps Google understand what your business offers and improves your chances of appearing in relevant searches (https://support.google.com/business/answer/6334580).
b. Add Your Business Location
  1. Add a Location: If you have a physical location where customers can visit, enter the address. This will allow your business to appear on Google Maps.
  2. Service Area: If you provide services to customers at their locations, specify your service areas instead of a physical address.
  3. Map Marker: Place the marker on the map at the exact location of your business to ensure accuracy (https://support.google.com/business/answer/3038177).
c. Enter Your Contact Information
  1. Phone Number: Provide a phone number that customers can use to reach your business.
  2. Website: Enter your business website URL. If you don’t have a website, Google offers a free website based on your GMB information (https://www.hubspot.com/google-my-business).
d. Verify Your Business
  1. Verification Options: Google will offer various verification methods, such as postcard by mail, phone, email, or instant verification (for some businesses).
  2. Complete Verification: Follow the instructions for your chosen verification method. Verification is crucial for your business information to appear in Google Search and Maps (https://support.google.com/business/answer/7107242).

3. Optimizing Your Google My Business Profile

a. Complete Your Profile

Ensure your GMB profile is complete and accurate:

  • Business Description: Write a detailed and engaging business description that highlights your services, products, and unique selling points. Include relevant keywords to improve search visibility.
  • Business Hours: Enter your regular business hours and update them for holidays or special events.
  • Photos and Videos: Upload high-quality photos and videos of your business, products, services, and team. Visual content helps attract and engage potential customers (https://www.hubspot.com/google-my-business-optimization).
b. Use Google My Business Features

Leverage GMB features to enhance your profile and engage with customers:

  • Posts: Share updates, offers, events, and news through GMB posts. These appear in your business listing and can help drive engagement.
  • Q&A: Monitor and respond to customer questions in the Q&A section. Provide accurate and helpful information to address potential customers' inquiries.
  • Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews. Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative, to show that you value customer feedback (https://neilpatel.com/blog/google-my-business/).
c. Manage Your Information

Keep your business information up-to-date to ensure accuracy:

  • Address and Contact Details: Regularly review and update your business address, phone number, and website URL.
  • Business Hours: Update your business hours for holidays, special events, or changes in operation.
  • Attributes: Add relevant attributes, such as "Women-Led," "Outdoor Seating," or "Free Wi-Fi," to highlight specific features of your business (https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/08/07/google-my-business).

4. Using Insights to Improve Performance

a. Access Google My Business Insights

Google My Business Insights provides valuable data on how customers interact with your listing:

  • Views: Track how many times your listing appears in search results and on Google Maps.
  • Search Queries: See the search terms customers use to find your business.
  • Customer Actions: Monitor actions taken by customers, such as visits to your website, requests for directions, and phone calls (https://www.hubspot.com/google-my-business-insights).
b. Analyze Customer Behavior

Use insights to understand customer behavior and improve your marketing strategy:

  • Popular Times: Identify the busiest times for your business and plan your staffing and marketing efforts accordingly.
  • Customer Engagement: Analyze which posts, photos, and updates generate the most engagement to refine your content strategy.
  • Review Analysis: Monitor and analyze customer reviews to identify common themes and areas for improvement (https://neilpatel.com/blog/google-my-business-analytics/).

5. Best Practices for Managing Google My Business

a. Regularly Update Your Profile

Keep your GMB profile current and accurate:

  • Regular Updates: Regularly update your business information, photos, and posts to keep your listing fresh and relevant.
  • Monitor Reviews: Continuously monitor and respond to reviews to engage with customers and address any issues.
  • Seasonal Changes: Update your business hours and information for seasonal changes or special events (https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2018/09/24/google-my-business-management).
b. Engage with Customers

Actively engage with customers through your GMB profile:

  • Respond to Reviews: Thank customers for positive reviews and address any negative feedback constructively.
  • Answer Questions: Respond promptly to customer questions in the Q&A section to provide helpful information.
  • Post Regular Updates: Share regular updates, offers, and news to keep your audience engaged and informed (https://www.hubspot.com/customer-engagement).
c. Use GMB Tools and Features

Leverage GMB tools and features to enhance your online presence:

  • Google Ads Integration: Link your GMB profile to Google Ads to create location-based ads and drive traffic to your business.
  • Booking Button: If applicable, add a booking button to allow customers to schedule appointments or reservations directly from your GMB profile.
  • Messaging: Enable messaging to allow customers to contact you directly through your GMB listing (https://neilpatel.com/blog/google-my-business-features/).

Conclusion

Setting up and optimizing Google My Business is essential for enhancing your online presence and attracting local customers. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a comprehensive and engaging GMB profile, leverage its features, and use insights to improve your performance. Regularly update your profile and actively engage with customers to maximize the benefits of Google My Business.


For further assistance on setting up and optimizing Google My Business for your business, consider partnering with Eastmoor Digital. Schedule a discovery call today at Eastmoor Digital Discovery Call or call us at 302-514-7003. Let our experts help you enhance your online presence and achieve your business goals.