Google My Business: The FREE Business Tool You Should Be Using
Did you know there is a free Google business tool that you could be taking advantage of as a small business owner?
“What is this free tool?” you may ask. Three words: Google My Business (GMB) — a modern-day version of yellow pages.
No matter what kind of business you have — whether you own a flower shop, law firm, real estate agency or a website studio like ours — you could be missing out on customers who are already searching for businesses like yours on Google Search and Google Maps by not taking advantage of Google My Business.
What Is Google My Business?
Simply put, Google My Business (or Google Business Page) is a free tool for business owners to manage their business presence on Google. A business profile on Google helps you get exposure in the local searches on Google or Maps.
Small local businesses can enjoy the benefits of local SEO and exposure by creating and claiming their Google Business profiles. Besides, your business is shown under Google Local Pack, a boxed-in section of Google search results comprising of the top three local businesses related to the user search query.
How To Create Google My Business Account?
Let’s get into setting up a Google Business page for your small business.
HOLD ON A SECOND!! I have just published a step-by-step Google My Business (now: Google Business Profile) video tutorial. I’ll embed it here in case you’d prefer to watch than read.
Visit the official page of Google My Business account and log in to your personal or business Google account
Moving forward, you are directed to the GMB dashboard, and you will add data and information about your business to get started.
Information You Will Be Asked To Add
Once you’ve created your GMB account, it’s time to complete the profile and get the maximum traffic and conversions. Most commonly, you have to add the following information.
Business Name
Business address
Location Where You’re Operating
Your products/services/business operations
The industry you’re working in.
About section that includes your Keywords(service, location, etc.)
Link It to Your Landing Page or Website
Most importantly, your account must have a Call-To-Action Button. The CTA buttons must be linked to your services. It can be anything like ‘Book Now,’ ‘Call Now,’ ‘Order Online’, etc.
Getting Your Google My Business Account Verified
Google carries the verification process of your GMB account via email. However, depending on the nature of the business or your convenience, you can be given a choice or asked to use Search Console, call verification, or video recording. If you make any business modifications in the future, you have to reverify your account for new changes.
Getting your postcard
The first step in the verification of GMB is getting your postcard with a verification code. You will proceed with the request for the postcard.
It will be shipped to your given address within 14 days of requisition.
Keep your code secure
Keep it secure until verification once you have received your postcard with a unique verification code. Since the code is unique to your business, no one else can use it. After verification, you can add managers to the account for optimization and handling.
Verify the Account
The final step is verification of GMB by using the verification code on a postcard. In the Choose Business To Verify section of the GMB account, you will add your verification code and submit it. The 5-digit code expires after 30 days. So don’t delay verifying your business.
Once you’ve done this, that’s your account set up!
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