Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool provided by Google that allows you to register, manage, and optimize a digital Business Profile for your company. 

According to Google, Business Profiles are designed for businesses that make in-person contact with their customers during specific hours – not those that are exclusively online.

Claiming your Google My Business profile helps you establish an online presence for your company that drives brand awareness and sales in your local market.

Claiming your profile on Google My Business means that your business will show up on Google Maps, so your customers will be able to quickly and easily find your business and even get directions using the world’s most popular navigation app.

Google My Business is the lynchpin of Local SEO strategy for in-person businesses. Your GMB profile can also appear in local search results for keywords related to the products and services you offer, making it easier for prospective customers to find your business and get in touch.

Caption: Directive Consulting appears in local 3-pack search results for SaaS marketing agencies near Costa Mesa, California.

And once you’ve set up your profile, you’ll have the opportunity to start accumulating customer reviews on the Google My Business platform. Google reviews serve as a valuable source of social proof that can make prospective customers more likely to choose your brand.

Claiming Your Profile on Google My Business

Ready to take advantage of everything that Google My Business has to offer?

Before you can get started, you’ll need to login to your Google account and create a Business Profile. You’ll be asked to include details such as the name and physical address of your business, service areas, hours of operation, website and contact information, and the services you provide. 

To complete your GMB profile, you may wish to add a description of your business, your opening date, photos of your location, or even health and safety information. Google provides plenty of space for you to provide information that might be relevant to customers before they choose to visit your store.

After completing your Business Profile, you can visit www.google.com/business and click the Manage now button to start managing your profile.

1. Business Verification – Before you can unlock all of the features on Google My Business, you’ll need to verify your business. If your business has an address, Google will send you a postcard with your verification code. If you’re operating in a specified service area, but without a physical location, you may be able to verify by phone or email instead.
2. Posts – Google allows you to post images, updates, and announcements  on your Business Profile where they can be seen by customers on local search results and Google Maps. Posts give business owners a valuable additional channel where they can deliver marketing messages to prospective customers.
3. Google Reviews – Customers can leave reviews of their experiences on your Business Profile. Earning a strong review score boosts the reputation of your business, making prospective customers more likely to test out your products and services. Google reviews are a powerful local SEO ranking factor, so earning more high-quality reviews will make your business more likely to appear near the top of local search results.   These benefits have made review generation a priority for local search marketers. 
4. Messaging – Once you’ve verified your Business Profile, you’ll be able to exchange messages with customers on the Google Business platform. This makes it easy for prospective customers to contact you and ask questions about your business before they decide to pay you a visit.
5. Insights – Google offers data-driven  insights into your customer base through the Business Profile Manager. You’ll be able to see how many times customers have seen or visited your Business Profile, how those customers choose to engage, and how your profile is performing compared to local competitors in your niche.

Learn More about Google My Business

Want to learn more about managing your Business Profile and optimizing for local search?

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