What is GMB (Google My Business)?
GMB is an online tool that lets you manage how your business appears in Google Searches and Google Maps. This includes your business name, location, and hours. With GMB, you can monitor and reply to customer reviews; add photos; find out how people are searching for you, and more. It’s extremely important that the information about your business showing up when people search on Google is as accurate, complete, and optimized.
Is Google My Business Free?
Yes! It is completely free to use. The only requirement for using GMB is that you must have some type of face-to-face interaction with your customers; you can’t operate as a 100% online business.
Create a Google My Business Listing
Step 1: Log into the Google Account you want your business connected to (or create an Account if you don’t have one).
Step 2: Go to google.com/business and select “Start now” in the top right- hand corner.
Step 3: Enter your business name.
Step 4: Enter your business address.
Step 5: If you go to your customers’ locations, rather than having them come to you, check the box “I deliver goods and services to my customers.” If you work from home and you don’t want your address shown, check “Hide my address – Only show region.” Select your Delivery area.
Step 6: Choose your business category.
Step 7: Add your business phone number and website address.
Step 8: Choose a verification option.
How to Verify Your Business on Google
There are several ways to verify your GMB listing:
By postcard, phone, email, instant verification and bulk verification. Most small businesses will probably need to have a postcard sent to them by Google. The postcard has a code that needs to be added to your Google Business listing to verify your physical location.
How to Optimize Your GMB Listing
Once you‘ve verified your business, it‘s time to finish adding your profile information. Find the “info” area on your Google My Business dashboard, and continue adding your information to the system.
Google My Business Photos
According to Google, businesses with photos get 35% more clicks to their website and 42% higher requests for driving directions in Google Maps.
Your cover photo is one of the most important images you upload, as it shows up front and center on your listing.
Your profile photo is what appears when you upload new photos, videos, or review responses. Along with your profile and cover photos, you should upload other pictures to make your listing more informative and engaging to the viewers.
Google My Business Videos
You can also add videos to your listing. All videos must be: 30 seconds or shorter, smaller than 100 MB, and have a resolution of 720p or higher.
Google My Business Reviews
There is another extremely important feature to be aware of with your GMB listing. Reviews. Did you know that over 70% of online viewers will read reviews before making a purchase, or consider working with a business?
Go to https://www.google.com/business/ to get started! Or, if you need help, contact us and we can help you set up your Google My Business Page.
