Setting up a Google Business Profile is a great way to help people find your business online, especially in local searches. It shows all the important details, such as your hours, location and how to contact you. Plus, it makes your business look trustworthy and helps bring in more customers without any extra effort!
In this guide, you’ll be taking a great step forward for your business by creating a Google Business Profile. Don’t worry if you’re not super tech-savvy we’ll guide you through it step by step. At the end of this guide, we have also included some tips and tricks to help you hit the ground running with your profile!
The Steps
These 6 steps will take you through how to set up your Google Business Profile like a pro! Google makes it easy. Just make sure you have your business name and a Google Account handy. Let’s get your business up and running on Google so more customers can find you!
Step 1 – Go to Google Business
- First, open your favorite web browser (like Chrome or Safari)
- In the address bar at the top, type business.google.com and hit Enter.
- You’ll see a page asking you to sign in. Use your Google account (like Gmail) to log in. For this process you WILL need a Google account. If you don’t have one just yet, click “Create account” and follow the steps to set one up (don’t worry, it’s free).
Step 2 – Enter Your Business Name
- Once logged in, you’ll see a search bar asking for your business name. Type the name of your business in the box.
- If your business is already listed, it will pop up. If not, you’ll see an option to Create a business with this name. Click that!
(If your business already exists on Google Business, just be aware you may need to include additional information to validate your ownership of the business.)
Step 3 – Enter Your Business Information
- Now, you’ll enter some basic info about your business. Start with your business category (like “Restaurant” or “Hair Salon”).
- Next, add your address if you have a physical location. If you don’t have a storefront and work online or go to clients, feel free to skip this part.
Step 4 – Add Contact Details
You’ll be asked for your phone number and website URL. If you don’t have a website, no worries, you can skip this. But adding your phone number is very important so customers can reach you.
If you need a website or help registering a business phone number, feel free to contact BCK Consulting and we can help you with that!
Step 5 – Verify Your Business
To make sure you’re the real owner of your business, Google will ask you to verify. There are different ways that Google could ask you to verify your business. The most common is by video recording of you showing proof of ownership of the business.
Verifying your business through a video recording requires a few important features to be captured. It is very important to read the instructions provided by Google before recording the video. You can view the video recording guidelines published by Google here.
If you are able to verify your business in a different way, make sure to view and understand the steps and rules for each method. You can view the full set of guidelines on how to verify your business with Google, here.
Remember, the verification step can take up to a week to complete! Be patient, and read all instructions thoroughly to make this process go as smoothly as possible.
Step 6 – Finish Up!
After verification, you can fill in more details about your business, like your hours, services, and photos. The more info you provide, the better your profile will look! Take a look at our Tips & Tricks section to learn about
And that’s it! Now your business is officially listed on Google, making it easier for people to find you online. If you ever need to update your info, just log back into your Google Business account and make changes anytime.
Tips & Tricks
Your Google Business Profile is a powerful tool to help your business shine online, but making the most of it takes a few smart strategies. Below are some easy tips and tricks to help you optimize your profile, attract more customers, and ensure your business gets the attention it deserves!
Complete Your Profile with Quality Content
We know this one may seem obvious… but it is absolutely important to complete your Google Business Profile. This means that every detail that you can include about your business (e.g. Hours, About Us, Products & Services, Images, etc.) should be included. The more details you provide, the more credible and helpful your business looks to potential customers.
We have provided a list of the most important content to upload and really pay attention to, to give your profile a great start!
- Add Your Best Photos: Upload clear, professional-looking photos of your business, products, or services. Profiles with photos are more likely to get attention!
- Keep Information Up To Date & Honest: Regularly update your profile with any changes to your hours, contact details, or services. Make sure that any information you provide is accurate so ideal customers can find you.
- Use Keywords: Know what your ideal customer is searching for, and include those relevant keywords in your business description and services to help your profile show up in search results for what you offer.
Its All About The Reviews
Reviews boost your credibility, help you rank higher in local searches, and show off what makes your business great. When a potential customer finds you online, they often will read the reviews left about your business and make their decision to contact you from that information. That is why it is important to ask your community and past customers for good reviews.
That being said, getting reviews is key to building trust, but responding to them is just as important! When you reply to reviews, whether positive or negative, it shows you care about your customers’ feedback and are engaged with their experiences. A thoughtful response builds stronger relationships, boosts your credibility, and even helps turn a negative experience into a positive one.
Here are three quick tips to make the most of your reviews:
- Ask for Reviews: Encourage happy customers to leave a review after a positive experience. Include your sharable link in an email, or create a QR code for your customer to scan once you have concluded business with them. Ease of access can provide a better response.
(Starting businesses should strive to have at least 35 reviews.) - Respond Quickly: Whether it’s a great or a not so great review, it is important to reply promptly. This shows you’re engaged and value your customers’ feedback.
- Always Stay Professional: Be polite and professional, especially when responding to negative reviews. Remember, it is not typically possible to have a review removed, therefore when responding to a negative review. A calm, respectful response can turn things around and reflect well on your business for future customers.
Post Updates & Offers
Did you know Google offers features to announce updates and special offers to the customers that find you? It’s fantastic, and it helps keep your profile fresh and engaging. This feature allows you to share real-time updates, promotions, events, or special offers directly on your Google Business Profile.
Why is it important? Regularly posting updates shows that your business is active and involved, which builds trust with customers. It’s also a great way to highlight new products or services, seasonal promotions, or even exciting news about your business. Plus, offers give potential customers an extra incentive to choose you, whether it’s a discount, limited-time deal, or special event.
Here’s a quick guide on how to post an update or offer on your Google Business Profile:
- Sign In: Go to business.google.com and log into your Google Business Profile.
- Select Your Business: If you manage multiple businesses, choose the one you want to post an update or offer for.
- Go to Posts: On the left-hand menu, click “Posts.”
- Choose Update or Offer:
For an update, click “Add Update” to share news, events, or announcements.
For an offer, click “Add Offer” to post a special deal, promotion, or discount. - Fill in the Details & Publish: Once you’ve filled everything out, hit “Publish” and your update or offer will appear on your Google Business Profile!
