How To Set Up Your Google Business Profile: Google Business Profile Installation, Setup, and Features
If you’re a local business, a Google Business Profile listing is essential. Learn how to setup and make the most of your GBP listing.
Many e-commerce websites don’t realize that a Google Business Profile can help their businesses rank better. This free tool from Google is not just for local brick-and-mortar shops. It’s for any business that could benefit from greater visibility and web traffic.
If you’re wondering how to set up your Google Business Profile and start optimizing your profile, this article is made for you. It will walk you through setup with screenshots and straightforward explanations for better search engine optimization. Plus, we have a few easy tips for using your GBP to attract more customers and increase your conversion rates. Keep reading to learn more from our guide on the best Google Business profile setup.
Who Needs a Google Business Profile?
If you’re a local business, a GBP listing is essential for your digital marketing strategy. For brands that are local, GBP is the most critical item you can set up for your business to show up in local searches—and you don’t even need a website first (although it helps). If you don’t have a website yet, Google can provide a basic one for you free of charge! So, there’s no excuse not to get started TODAY.
If you’re not a local business, a GBP listing (and setting a national or international service area) can help your business rank for additional long-tail keyword searches. And with Google’s recent changes to business profiles, creating a GBP is easier than ever, no matter your technical skill level.
Find out how to get #1 on Google rankings and beat the competition through our Google Business profile installation guide below.
Easy Google My Business Page Setup
Step 1: Sign in to Google Business Profile
Go to https://business.google.com/ and sign in using your Google account information.
1a. If You Don’t Have a Google Account
If you don’t have a Google or Gmail account, you can still sign up. But you will need to make an account first. Luckily, Google makes this very simple.
Simply go to https://accounts.google.com/signup and enter the information prompted. After your account is created, return to the Google Business Profile account creation page.
After you enter your Google account information, press the blue “Manage now” button on the Google My Business landing page.
Step 2: Search for Your Business Listing
After you’ve clicked “Manage now,” the system will begin guiding you through creating your business listing.
The first step is to find your business. Using the search query box, type in your business’s name. If your business appears, select it to claim it as yours and notify Google that it should be connected to your Google account.
If you find your business, claim it!
2a. What If My Business Doesn’t Appear in the Search Results?
Before creating your business listing for the Google Business profile installation, be sure to try a variety of spelling options for your business name so you don’t wind up with a duplicate. Duplicate business listings can create complications in the future.
If you still cannot find your name, consider entering the name your customers might call your business or even your previous brand name.
If your business is not listed yet at all—create it!
- Enter your business name. Check the spelling, spacing, and capitalization. This is what will appear on the top of your Google business listing.
- Enter the category that applies to your company. As you begin typing, the search query will automatically populate with suggestions. You can change this later or add additional categories, so don’t stress too much about this choice.
Each category has a GCLID (a specific technical ID) that may help you pick between categories that may seem similar.
Take these two categories, for example: Commercial Photographer vs. Photography Service. You might feel unsure which category to select as a professional photographer.
The GCLIDS, in this instance, may help clarify your choice—Commercial Photographer has the GCLID advertising_photographer, and Photography Service has the GCLID photography_service.
Most GCLIDs will be roughly the same as the category name. If you cannot find a category that fits your business, you can click the blue “Next” button to continue after reviewing the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Step 3: Add Your Business Location
Google will want to know your business’s physical location or if your business does not have a storefront or physical location that customers can visit or find on Maps.
Option 1: Select “Yes” and Add Your Physical Address
You will be prompted to enter your business’s location using an address for the Google Business profile installation. This address should be your primary location. You can always add more locations later. This is what will appear on Google search results and the Google Maps app. This data allows customers to find your business address when they enter local search terms or your brand’s name into Google.
This information will help potential customers nearby discover your business and show them where you are on a map. It will also transfer your business address to Google Maps when customers select “Directions” to navigate to your business.
Option 2: Select “No” and Add Your Service Areas
If you choose “No,” then Google will prompt you to add your service areas. These are the areas where you provide services in person, via mail, or digitally. This option works best for many service industries, such as HVAC, electrical repair and installation, and even mobile veterinarians.
You can answer with specific cities or neighborhoods like this:
Or you can target broader regions by adding states or even countries:
Step 4: Choose Where Your Business Is Based
You can add the location of your business, which allows customers to get an idea of where your business is based.
Step 5: Add Contact Information for Your Business
Next, you need to add your contact information, including your business phone number. Remember, if you don’t have a website, Google can give you a free one at this stage to help you set yourself up for success! Or you can skip entering a URL as a whole and just go back to edit it after your profile is established following the Google Business profile installation.
Step 6: Active Google Alerts for Google Recommendations
Here, you can choose whether you want to receive recommendations regarding your Google business account. If you select “Yes,” you will get alerts when elements on your profile can be updated or improved.
Step 7: Verify Your Mailing Address
Here, you’ll need to enter where you want to receive your Google business verification instructions by mail. Google hides this address from the public, so don’t worry about people unknowingly showing up at your home or private office.
After you enter your mailing address, Google will use the information you’ve entered to verify that your business profile is ready to be listed, or they’ll mail you a physical postcard with a code and instructions to verify your mailing address and other business information.
Step 8: Add Business Hours
Next, you will be prompted to add business hours for your Google Business profile installation. Adding accurate hours allows customers to know when to call or arrive at your business. This is important for both your reputation and the overall customer experience. The last thing you’d want is for someone to arrive at your business while it’s closed because the hours were incorrectly listed or, worse, not listed at all.
Based on the times you enter, Google Maps can also inform patrons heading to your location that they might arrive around closing time. This feature is convenient for both customers and businesses. You can also skip this step and add the information from your Google Business Profile account later.
Step 9: Turn On Messaging
Want more customers to contact you? Turn on your Google Business page’s messaging. This feature allows customers or potential customers to message you directly from your Google listing. It is a great way to answer questions about your business and encourage customers to interact with it or leave feedback.
This is what the feature looks like on your customers’ end:
Step 10: Create a Description for Your Business
Set yourself apart from the competition and add some information about your business. Adding a description during your Google Business profile installation can provide customers with more details that can inform whether or not your business is the best choice for their needs. Don’t forget to include keywords to help increase your visibility and get noticed!
Step 11: Add Photos to Your Business Profile
Uploading photos of your business provides you with some credibility. Images give consumers a better idea of what you offer, and it gives you the opportunity to show off a bit! You can include photos of your storefront, a job well done, or even photos of the products you carry to help bring in some foot traffic.
Step 12: Choose Whether or Not to Sign Up for Google Ads
Then, Google will ask if you want to claim a $500 Google Ads credit. Google Ads is a pay-per-click (PPC) system that can boost traffic to your website and increase customer calls. Keep in mind that using a professional agency with a PPC service can help you make the most of your digital marketing budget and also help you better target your audience.
Take Control of Business Google Listing
After you’ve completed these steps for your Google Business profile installation, you’re all set to take full advantage of the profile manager. From here, you can update your profile or business information, create ads, set up your business Gmail account, and more.
Updated From Google My Business to Google Business Profile
Google My Business (GMB) transformed into Google Business Profile in November of 2021 with a simple update and new name. Google Business Profile is still a free tool that helps small businesses and larger businesses have greater control over their presence and image among Google’s local listings.
More importantly, this tool continues to help businesses gain visibility in Google Search results. Google Business Profile provides all the perks of Google My Business, including a dashboard that makes tracking and updating your business easy. Plus, it allows you to respond to reviews easily, view insights into your website’s performance, and change your location if needed.
What’s New on Google Business Profile?
Along with a new name, there are some new features to help business owners with lead generation. A favorite among business owners is the ability to edit your business listing directly from Google Search results page or Google Maps. On your Google Search page, you can also easily access Google Ads and consumer data.
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How to Make the Most of Your Google Business Profile
Now that you’ve completed the Google Business profile installation and setup, it’s time to make the most of your profile. Within your dashboard, there are a number of ways you can capture users, including creating posts, adding your business logo, and activating an online scheduling option. You can also install the Google My Business app for easier access and provide more prompt responses to visitors.
Create Discount and Promo Posts
Within your BPM dashboard, start with creating posts. This feature allows you to highlight news about your company, promote any upcoming events, and offer promotional codes exclusive to Google users.
These posts will be displayed under your GBP listing.
Add Your Products or Services
You can also add your business’s products and services to make your profile more dynamic. Users will find it a lot easier to figure out what your company offers straight from doing a quick search on the internet. These services and products are conveniently displayed below your GBP listing!
If users click on a specific category, they’ll see a full listing of your products and services.
Take Advantage of Your GBP Listing’s Q&A
You can also use your GBP listing to interact with potential customers through the Questions & Answers feature.
You’ll be able to answer questions submitted by customers or searchers looking for a business like yours.
Some business owners and marketing professionals use this section to their benefit by posting questions themselves and then providing insightful, thorough answers. In a way, this space can become your own FAQ that customers can access before ever clicking on your site.
Set Up GBP on Your Phone to Access Customer Chat
Your listing also allows you to set up a direct chat with customers through the Google My Business App.
Add Rocket Fuel to Your Sales by Collecting Reviews
Finally, use the link provided in your GBP console to collect reviews for your business. Reviews are one of the most powerful tools to increase sales, boost lead generation, and improve your company’s reputation. Why? People trust reviews from customers more than they trust marketing or ads from a business. Additionally, having a history of reviews is a significant Google search ranking factor for local SEO.
So, after you sign up, use your GPB link to encourage people to leave you reviews.
Respond to Customer Reviews
Once you have reviews coming in, you should review them regularly. Respond (kindly and helpfully) to any negative reviews. Responding well to complaints will help your SEO and help others view the bad reviews less negatively.
Here are some pointers for responding to negative reviews:
Check If the Review Is Real
First, check whether the negative review is a legitimate review for your company. Keep in mind that there are often innocent reasons why someone might accidentally leave your business a review without having patronized your establishment or used your services at all. Sometimes, people might confuse your business with another that sounds similar.
You’ll also want to be mindful that other businesses could leave negative reviews for competitors. If this is the case, don’t engage. Just flag the review for removal on Google.
Types of reviews you can flag for removal:
- Spam and fake content
- Off-topic
- Restricted content
- Illegal content
- Terrorist content
- Sexually explicit content
- Offensive content
- Dangerous and derogatory content
- Impersonation
- Conflict of Interest
How to flag a review for removal:
- Go to the review.
- Tap or click “More.”
- Select either “Flag Review” (from your Google Business account) or “Report Review” (from Google Maps).
Pro-tip: The more people who report a review for removal, the more likely that the review will be removed.
When Responding to a Bad Review, Remember to Apologize
Apologize, even if the business did nothing wrong. If nothing else, you can apologize that your business wasn’t able to make their experience better or more positive.
Offer to Take the Conversation Offline
Take the conversation out of the reviews and invite them to reach out to you directly via phone and email.
Include Light Promotion
Insert a small marketing line. If they complained about service, try saying something along these lines: “We apologize that we didn’t live up to our normally excellent standard of service.”
Brief Is Better
Keep it short! Three- to four-sentence responses are your best bet for negative reviews. In these situations, less is more. Getting into details or blaming the customer can seem defensive and make other customers think less of the business. Being too long-winded can also come across as defensive. Be brief, courteous, and positive.
Offer to Fix the Situation (If Possible)
Invite the person back with a discount or even for free to rectify the problem. Find a way to make it right, and they might just update their review!
Step 13: Rank Higher With Expert Insights
As a business owner, it can be difficult to keep up with engaging users regularly through your Business Profile. Add Google Ads into the equation, and you may find yourself working full-time hours online in addition to running your business. If you want to see your rankings improve and your revenue grow, LinkGraph’s team of SEO experts is ready to help maximize your business’s potential. Reach out to us and find out how you can utilize search engine optimization to your advantage!
