Google My Business is among the best free platforms for companies that want to stand out in Google local searches and on Google Maps. In this guide I’ll show you how to create and optimize your profile to ensure that your company is visible to potential customers. Enjoy!
Creating a Google My Business account
Although it’s a somewhat lengthy process, you’ll see that it’s not difficult to create an account on the platform. By following the steps below, you’ll have a complete profile verified by Google in just a few minutes.
Step 1: accessing the platform
- Go to the Google My Business website – which has recently been renamed Business Profile.
- Click on the “Manage now” button and start the process of creating your account.
Step 2: login
- Sign in with an existing Google account or create a new one if necessary.
Step 3: enter company name
- Enter the exact name of your business, as you want it to appear in Google searches.
Step 4: add the location
- Enter the address where your business is located. If you don’t have a fixed address, select the “I deliver goods and services to my customers” option and define your service area.
Step 5: select the category
- Choose the category that best describes your business. This will help Google display your business in relevant searches.
Step 6: include contact information
Add a phone number and the URL of your website to make it easier to contact your customers. This information is very important, so make sure it is up to date.
Step 7: Account verification
- Google offers different methods for verifying your business. You can receive a verification code by post or opt for validation by phone or email. In some cases, verification can be done immediately if Google finds information about your company on other sites.
Optimizing your Google My Business profile
Once your account has been created and verified, you need to optimize your profile. It should have up-to-date information, attractive content and review management to generate credibility with customers.
Step 1: complete information
Complete all available fields, including opening hours, company description and services offered.
- Keep your information up to date, especially during holidays and time changes.
Step 2: photos and videos
- Include images of the interior and exterior of your company, products, services and staff. Attractive photos increase the chance of user engagement.
- Add short, informative videos about your products, services or behind the scenes.
Step 3: Responses and reviews
Encourage customers to leave reviews on your profile. You can offer a discount coupon or gift.
- Respond to all reviews in a professional manner. Acknowledge positive feedback and offer solutions for negative feedback. This demonstrates your commitment to customer service.
Step 4: Google Posts
- Use the posts function to share updates on offers, events and news.
- Publish regularly and ensure that the content is relevant to your customers.
Step 5: Customer service
- Keep the list of services up to date to reflect the latest offers.
- If you provide services in several areas, adjust the setting to cover all the regions you serve.
Step 6: Google Insights
- Access Google Insights to evaluate the performance of your profile, such as the number of views, actions and visitor behavior.
- Use this data to adjust your strategies and improve the effectiveness of your profile.
Maximizing your online presence
Integrate Google My Business with other tools
Connect your Google My Business profile with Google Analytics 4 to get a more complete picture of your website’s traffic and visitor behavior.
Use special attributes and features
Add attributes such as “Wheelchair-accessible” or “Family-friendly” to provide additional information that can attract specific customers.
Track competitors
Observe how your competitors are using Google My Business and adjust your strategies to stand out.
You can see that Google My Business is a super useful tool for increasing your company’s visibility, can’t you? By following this guide, you’ll be able to create an optimized profile to attract even more customers.
Take the opportunity to check out more content on digital marketing on our blog and talk to our experts about drawing up a personalized strategy for your business!
