How to Set Up a Google Business Profile and Optimize It for Local SEO

Research has shown that 88% of consumers who search for local products or services through a mobile device will call or visit a store within 24 hours. In addition, 97% of consumers say they learn more about local businesses online than from any other source. These two impressive numbers highlight the importance of local businesses developing a strong online presence. Last month, we published our biggest research of the year to date, The Google My Business Insights Study. The study was based on the analysis of 45,000 Google My Business listings. Your free Google business listing (known as your business profile) can do more than you think. When properly optimized, it showcases your best features and makes it easier for consumers to discover, learn about and contact your business. But to properly optimize your business profile, you need to access it, and to be able to access it, you must verify with Google that you are the rightful owner. While it seems like it should be as simple as “creating step one, claiming step two, and verifying step three”, the process isn't so straightforward. This is because it requires three different Google accounts and two different Google platforms, all with very similar names. So, in this post, I'm first going to explain exactly what is what in Google, and then I'll give you a clear roadmap to create a Google My Business account and use it to claim and verify your business profile on Google. Whether you're a local pillar or just starting a business, your Google Business profile makes it easy for consumers to discover, learn about and contact your business online. Here are the main advantages of a Google My Business account and, if that's not enough to convince you, consider the disadvantages of not having one. Without a Google My Business account, you have no control over the information displayed in your business profile, and according to a BrightLocal study, 68% of consumers would stop using a local business after finding incorrect information online. Google ranks business profiles according to quality, and a company profile alone is not enough. However, a Google Business profile managed through a Google Business account can be optimized to rank above the competition in searches for relevant keywords. Which ad would you choose? The unclaimed account on the left or the one optimized by the Google My Business account on the right? However, as mentioned above, the process is not very simple. These are two different Google platforms and three different Google accounts, all with similar names, and some of which you probably already have. So to get you started on a clear footing, let's first clarify the terminology. The goal is to get full access to your business profile on Google. Google is changing the way consumers find and relate to local businesses, so if you want to continue reaching your audience and attract customers with your free business profile, make sure you follow the steps above. The process has different parts and parts, but it doesn't have to be so complicated with guides like this one and options how to do it on mobile. Start creating, claiming and verifying through Google My Business today so you can make the most of this incredible free tool that you have at your disposal. This post explains why you should update your Google business listing, when to make them, and the steps to make common changes and changes such as hours, phone number, categories and attributes. This publication covers six tools that businesses with a physical location can use to offer more of their services and transactions online in the wake of COVID-19 and rapid changes to consumer behavior online. Without GBP (Google Business Profile), companies cannot appear in the local package or in the local search engine which should be a key target for companies of this nature. Depending on the type of business you have, if you created your business profile and signed in to your Google My Business account, you may be validated on the spot. If you have an online-only business, you'll need to stick to other Google tools such as Google Ads and Google Analytics. This information is key for optimizing your business for local SEO and attracting more customers through your free ad. If you think your company qualifies for one of these roles but don't see them then you may have chosen the wrong category. Learn how to use Google My Business messaging to help customers contact you in real time directly from your Google Business profile listing. You can also have a profile if you are a company in the service area that visits or delivers to customers directly but does not serve customers at your business address such as a plumber or cleaning service. If your business doesn't have a location that customers can visit but offers in-person services or deliveries then you can list your service areas. Make sure you're signed in to your company's standard Google Account (and not your standard Google Account for your personal life). If you have special schedules for holidays or even on a one-off basis then make sure that they are reflected in your Google Business profile. Adding your business hours is essential so that potential customers know when they can visit or contact you. Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the most effective tools marketers can use when working with local businesses. Verified business locations are “more likely to appear in local search results for Google products such as Maps and Search... Find out how to rank on google.