How to Set Up Google My Business

by | Last updated Jun 21, 2022 | SEO

Read Time: 4 min read

Summary: TL;DR: Setting up your business on Google My Business is quick and easy. Start by creating a Google account, searching for your business, and adding specific information like category and address. Verify your business through a postcard or phone call. Input additional details like business description, categories, service areas, and photos. Make sure to include hours of operation. Once everything is added, hit submit to complete the setup process. This helps your business appear in local search results accurately and attract more customers. Remember, accuracy and completeness are key for a successful Google My Business listing.

Need to get your business set up on Google My Business? Getting started is quick and easy.

Step 1: Go to Google.com/Business

Step 1 of GMB Setup: Sign In

This is your starting point. If you don’t already have a Google account, you’ll need to sign up for one. With this specific Google product, a Google account is necessary to verify information.

Step 2: Search for Your Business

Step 2 of GMB Setup: Add Your Business Category

When you search for your business, one of two things will happen. Either your business name and address will pop up, or it won’t. If your business name doesn’t pop up, that’s okay. All that means is you need to click on “Add Your Business.”

If Google does show your business name, it means your business is currently listed by Google. But that doesn’t always mean a Google My Business page has already been created. In most cases, if you’ve added local business listings to other online directories, Google may populate the information based on those directory listings.

Step 2a of GMB Setup: Choose Your Business Category from a List

By adding your business manually, you will need to then click through to the next screens where you will be asked to start adding specific business information. This is your opportunity to set your business up correctly for Google and ensure that your customers are finding the best, most accurate information.

Step 3: Adding Specific Business Information

After you add your business to Google My Business, you will then want to select which category your business fits into.

Step 3 of GMB Setup: Add Your Business Category

NOTE: Be specific with your business category. This category will help Google better place you in local search results for your industry, such as “website designer in Omaha.”

Next, Google wants to be able to tell customers whether or not you have a physical location. Simply answer Yes or No.

Step 4 of GMB Setup: Do You Have a Physical Location

Next, you’ll want to add your physical address to give customers a place to visit and a way for Google to correctly place your business in Maps.

Step 5 of GMB Setup: Address

Do you also happen to serve customers off-site? Such as, do you deliver to your customers or visit them at their home? Simply answer Yes or No again.

Step 6 of GMB Setup: Do You Serve Customers Outside of the Location

Google then will ask for your contact details. It is imperative that you double-check this information to ensure that it’s correct. While you have the ability to update it later on, it’s best to save yourself the hassle by keeping this information up-to-date from the outset.

Step 7 of GMB Setup: Public Contact Info

Finally, it will be time to verify your business.

Step 4: Verify Your Business

Google will prompt you to verify your business information using one of three options. The first is via a code sent on a postcard from Google to an address of your choosing.

Step 8 of GMB Setup: Verify

This will take a few days to arrive, but upon receiving the postcard, you’ll need to sign into your Google Account and find the “Verify Now” button. After you enter the code, you can start using your dashboard.

Some categories will allow for instant verification of your listing from Google through a phone call or text with a code, but it’s not allowed for all. Your best bet for verification will always be to have Google send you the code via postcard.

Step 5: Input Additional Business Information

Once you’ve been verified, you will then be able to access your Google My Business dashboard.

Screenshot: Double Check Your Business Information

Once on the dashboard, you can add more information. Aside from correcting your business name, address, phone number, and website URL, be sure to add the following:

Introduction

Screenshot: Adding a Business Description

In the event that a customer doesn’t click through to your website to learn more about what you offer, you can provide that information directly to Google through your local listing. Your introduction should tell customers what you do and what products or services you provide.

Business Category

Screenshot: Add Additional Categories

In order to appear in relevant local search results (e.g., You’re a pizza restaurant and someone in your area searches “pizza near me”), your business listing needs to have the right category. Try not to be too broad. If you think you fall into more than one or two categories, stick with the one that best represents you.

Service Areas

Next, if your business does any work outside of your local area, be sure to add in the areas you serve to help Google understand that when someone searches for your business category in another location, you have the chance to show up in relevant search results.

Screenshot: Selecting Service Area

Exterior and Interior Business Photos

Screenshot: Adding Business Photos

You’ll want to add photos of your business’ exterior, interior, and team members/employees. This helps potential customers recognize your building and signage, as well as get to know your company’s face(s).

Hours of Operation

Screenshot: Updating Business Hours

Since hours of operation appear in local search results, it’s good to include this information in your business listing. That way, customers will be able to find your hours quickly and easily while searching for your business.

Step 6: Hit Submit

Once you’ve added all of the necessary information, all you have to do is hit the submit button and you’re set!

 

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