Setting up a Google Business Profile is a crucial step for any small business looking to establish and improve its online presence. This comprehensive, step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of creating, verifying, and optimizing your Google Business Profile.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your existing online presence, this complete Google Business Profile guide will provide you with the knowledge and strategies you need to succeed.
The Basics of Google Business Profile
For those short on time, here are the steps you need to take to set up and manage your Google Business Profile:
- Search for Your Business
- Verify Your Business
- Complete Your Profile Information
- Manage and Respond to Reviews
- Use Insights to Understand Your Audience
Why Google Business Profile Matters for Michigan Small Businesses
When someone searches for a business or service in their area, Google Business Profiles appear prominently in the results. These listings show up before traditional website results, making them prime real estate for local businesses.
According to Google, businesses with complete and accurate information are twice as likely to be considered reputable by consumers. By setting up your profile, you’re not just increasing visibility; you’re building trust with potential customers.
How to Set Up and Manage Your Google Business Profile
Follow these key steps to leverage this powerful tool to attract more customers, build trust, and drive growth for your business.
Step 1: Search for Your Business
The first step in setting up your Google Business Profile is to search for your business on Google. This will tell you if a listing already exists for your business and whether you need to claim it or create a new one.
How to search for your business
- Go to Google.com and type in your business name and location (e.g., “Joe’s Pizza Detroit”)
- If your business appears in the search results, look for a “Own this business?” button next to your listing
- If you don’t see your business listed, go to the Google Business Profile Manager and click “Add your business to Google”
How to claim an existing listing
If you find an existing listing for your business, it’s crucial to claim it. This gives you control over the information displayed and allows you to manage reviews and post updates.
To claim your listing:
- Click the “Own this business?” button next to your business’s listing in the search results
- Follow the prompts to verify your ownership (more on verification in Step 2)
How to create a new listing
If no listing exists for your business, you’ll need to create one. To create a new listing:
- Go to the Google Business Profile Manager
- Click “Add your business to Google”
- Enter your business name and address
- Choose your business category
- Add your contact information and website URL
Step 2: Verify Your Business
After claiming your existing listing or creating a new one, you’ll need to verify your business with Google. This step is essential to prove that you are the rightful owner of the business and to gain full control over your Google Business Profile.
Google offers several methods to verify your business, including:
- By postcard: Google will mail a postcard with a verification code to your business address. This is the most common verification method.
- By phone: In some cases, Google may offer phone verification. You’ll receive an automated call with a verification code.
- By email: Some businesses may be eligible for email verification, where Google sends a verification code to your business email address.
- Instant verification: If you’ve already verified your business with Google Search Console, you may be eligible for instant verification.
When setting up your profile, Google will recommend a verification method based on your business information. In most cases, this will be postcard verification. However, if other methods are available, choose the one that works best for you.
Once you’ve completed the verification process, you’ll have full control over your Google Business Profile. This allows you to update your business information, respond to reviews, post photos and offers, and gain valuable insights about your customers.
Step 3: Complete Your Profile Information
Now that you’ve verified your business, it’s time to fill out your Google Business Profile completely. Providing accurate and detailed information helps potential customers find and learn about your business, and it can also improve your local search rankings.
Key information to include in your Google Business Profile:
- Business name, address, and phone number
- Your business website
- Hours of operation: (Including any special hours for holidays or events)
- Business category
- Products or services offered
- High-quality photos of products or services offered
- Business description, menu, and/or service list
- Special attributes (e.g., wheelchair accessible, outdoor seating, etc.)
- Appointment or reservation links (if applicable)
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Step 4: Manage and Respond to Reviews
Reviews are a crucial component of your Google Business Profile. They provide valuable feedback about your business and can greatly influence potential customers’ decisions to choose your products or services. Managing and responding to reviews is essential for maintaining a positive online reputation and building trust with your customers.
This involves a few key actions:
- Encouraging customers to leave reviews via incentives, an easy review process, and great customer service
- Responding to all reviews both positive and negative; taking care to move sensitive conversations outside of the public space
- Actively monitoring reviews and responding prompting to thank customers or solve potential problems
- Report inappropriate reviews
- Learn from feedback
Recommended: Read our full guide on managing your business’s online reviews.
Step 5: Use Insights to Understand Your Audience
Google Business Profile offers a powerful tool called Insights, which provides valuable data about how customers find and interact with your listing. By analyzing this information, you can better understand your audience, make data-driven decisions, and optimize your profile for maximum visibility and engagement.
Key Insights metrics to keep in mind:
- Direct searches: This metric shows how many customers found your listing by searching for your business name or address directly.
- Discovery searches: This metric indicates how many customers found your listing by searching for a category, product, or service that your business offers.
- Views on Maps: This metric shows how many customers viewed your business on Google Maps.
- Views on Search: This metric shows how many customers viewed your business on Google Search.
- Customer actions: This metric tracks the actions customers take on your profile, such as clicking to call, requesting directions, or visiting your website.
- Phone calls: This metric shows how many customers called your business directly from your Google Business Profile.
- Photos: This metric compares the number of photos you’ve uploaded to your profile to those of similar businesses in your area.
Step 6: Keep Your Profile Active
Once you’ve set up and optimized your Google Business Profile, it’s important to keep it active and regularly updated. This ongoing maintenance helps to show potential customers that your business is thriving and engaged with the community. It also sends positive signals to Google, which can help improve your local search rankings and visibility.
Make these regular updates to keep your profile active and accurate:
- Business information: Whenever there are changes to your business, such as new hours of operation, updated contact information, or new products or services, update your profile accordingly.
- Photos and videos: Regularly add new, high-quality photos and videos to showcase your business, products, and services. This helps keep your profile fresh and engaging for potential customers.
- Posts: Create posts to promote special offers, events, or new products. Posts appear prominently on your profile and can help attract customers and drive engagement.
- Questions and answers: Monitor and respond to any questions customers ask about your business directly on your profile. This shows that you’re responsive and helpful, and it can also provide valuable information for other potential customers.
- Reviews: Continuously encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and respond to all reviews, both positive and negative, in a timely and professional manner.
Conclusion
Setting up your Google Business Profile takes less than an hour, but the benefits can last for years. By providing accurate information, managing reviews professionally, and keeping your profile active, you set your Michigan business up for online success.
Don’t wait to get started. Your customers are searching for businesses like yours online right now. Make sure they can find you by setting up your Google Business Profile today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Google Business Profile is a free tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. It enables businesses to provide important information such as their address, phone number, hours of operation, and photos, making it easier for potential customers to find and engage with them.
To set up a Google Account for your small business, go to accounts.google.com/signup and follow the prompts. Use your business email address and provide accurate information about your business. Once your account is created, you can then set up your Google Business Profile.
To change your business type on your Google Business Profile, sign in to your account, click on the “Info” tab, and then click on the pencil icon next to your current business category. Choose the most accurate category from the list provided and click “Apply” to save your changes.
To register your small business on Google, go to google.com/business and click on the “Manage now” button. Sign in with your Google Account, and follow the prompts to provide your business information, verify your business, and set up your profile.
Yes, putting your small business on Google is highly recommended. Having a Google Business Profile can increase your visibility, credibility, and accessibility to potential customers. It allows your business to appear in local search results and on Google Maps, making it easier for customers to find and contact you.
More From the Online Presence Series
- Your Michigan Business Needs an Online Presence: Here’s Where to Start
- How to Manage Online Business Reviews
- Website Basics for Michigan Small Businesses
- Basic SEO Tips for Small Businesses
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