What Is Google My Business? Everything You Need to Know

Regardless of a business's size, having a strong online identity is crucial in today's competitive landscape. A great way to become visible online and meet local people is by using Google My Business.  

Whether you operate a cafe or a service business, using GMB will help your business get noticed locally, present vital information about your business, and let you engage with potential customers.    

Let’s understand everything about GMB and how it works in the article below.

What Is Google My Business?

Google My Business is now called Google Business Profile. The free-to-use GMB from Google lets you maintain and improve your business profile easily. Google's term for a business listing that appears in search results and on Maps is a business profile.  

What is a Google Business Listing, and how can you add your business to it?  Let's understand. A business listing or profile is similar to adding a place in Google Maps, which includes information such as the business name, category, and location. 

After Google confirms it is not a duplicate entry, it will create your business profile for that particular location. Your business profile then gets open for customers to add photos, leave reviews, and ask and answer questions. 

Your business profile can also gather information from the web, as pulled by Google. It means that your Google My Business listing can also appear even without a GMB account, and you can't manage the information displayed over there. 

That is why you need a GMB account to access, tailor, manage, and improve your business profile listing on Google.

Benefits Of Google Business Profile

Now that you have got Google My Business overview let’s understand how it can benefit your business. There are three main benefits, which are listed below:

1. Enhances Visibility On Google

When people search for any business, they see a map and some business listings at the top of the Google search results, known as the map pack or local pack. This pack appears for location-specific search terms or queries when people search for businesses near me. 

If you have a properly optimized GMB listing, you are more likely to appear in this list, which will lead to increased online visibility.

2. Get Credibility With Reviews

What reviews say about your brand is vital since they are read by over 95% of people shopping. You will notice both a star rating and user reviews are displayed next to your business name on Google Maps.

They give potential customers helpful information about your business. If you do not have many reviews, you can buy Google reviews and build trust with your potential customers. However, remember to reply to every review, both positive and negative, to show you appreciate what consumers think of your brand.

3. Share Information With Customers

One of the biggest Google My Business benefits is that it allows you to share essential business information, including contact details, business hours, services offered, and more, with your customers. 

Furthermore, if your business experiences any momentary changes, you can inform people immediately on this listing. For instance, if you operate on a half-day schedule on any holiday or close for a couple of days for renovations, you can update this information on your GMB account. 

Doing so will ensure your customers are aware of every detail they need to reach you in case they need to.

How To Set Up Google My Business Listing?

Setting up your Google Business Profile Manager (GBP) listing is very easy. To start creating your listing, follow the instructions below. 

• Step 1: Access Your GMB Account And Log In

You must have a Google account to use your GBP. If you don't have one, you need to create it first. Try not to use your personal account for this purpose, as you may want someone to handle your GBP account once your business starts to grow.

• Step 2: Enter Your Business Details

After signing in to your Google My Business account, you will be asked to enter your business name. Enter the name and click on continue.

• Step 3: Choose Your Business Type

As long as you have a physical location, sell directly to your consumers online, or provide a service in person to them, Google will allow you to sign up for Google My Business account. 

You can choose all the options that apply to you and click Next.

• Step 4: Mention Your Present Or Targeted Location

If you only deal online, Google will require your website to be entered. If you operate both online and offline, you will be asked to specify the country in which you are registered. 

It may or may not be the country where you are located. If you have a valid physical address, enter the same. Google may also ask you to position your business with a marker on the map. 

List your service areas in case there is no physical address where consumers can visit you in person.

• Step 5: Add Contact Details

This is a crucial step as it will help your customers to reach you directly. You can mention your phone number, website details, or both. Your customers will see all your information clearly when they look at your GBP profile.

• Step 6: Verify Your Business

If you don't have a storefront, you still need to enter a mailing address for Google My Business verification. Once updated, you can choose to get a verification code by either sending a short video telling you have a business or through an email. 

Enter the code you received and then click 'Verify.' Once your business is verified, you can publicly respond to reviews, send messages, and utilize additional features. If you don't have reviews at the moment, consider buying Google reviews to establish credibility and trust with consumers.

How To Optimize Google My Business Listing?

After completing your business signup and verification, it is essential to enhance your GMB profile to make it more appealing and increase its visibility in online searches. These settings can be easily adjusted in your Google My Business dashboard to ensure the information is correct in the first place, preventing anyone from making or suggesting changes.  

Also, making it a habit to view your dashboard will help confirm that your information is correct and up to date. You can always make your GMB better by creating regular posts. 

In the same way you share content on Facebook or LinkedIn, you can now post it on your GMB account using Google My Business posts. Share with your customers updates about the company, today's discounts, photographs, or whatever else you find worthwhile. 

By sharing these posts, you can boost your Google rankings, and as you post more, your SEO will get stronger.

Conclusion

Google My Business free tool has numerous benefits to offer; therefore, ensure your profile is accurate and up-to-date. If you haven't created your account or optimized it yet, you're missing one of the best and most free ways to appear in local Google search results.  

Additionally, using GMB is very easy; you can update it at any time and inform your customers about any recent business changes. Refer to the above article to learn how to create listings and why use Google My Business account and see your business benefits instantly.

Furthermore, you can also Get Google reviews to take your business’s online presence to the next level with BuyReviewz.