Every business should have a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), regardless of the size of the company. Google is the most popular search engine, and having a Google Business Profile ensures that your company appears in search results. It also lets you ensure that all your information is accurate so customers know your store hours, location, phone number, and other vital business information. You will also show up correctly on Google Maps.
Without a Google Business Profile, that information can be incredibly hard for your customers to find, which will hurt your business. Additionally, not having a profile can negatively affect your rankings on Google search results. The good news is that it is incredibly easy to claim and set up your Google Profile.
Setting Up a Google Business Profile (Formerly Google My Business)
Setting up your Google Profile can be done easily by following these steps:
- Sign in to your Google Account (or create one using your business email domain).
- Navigate to Create a profile.
- Enter your business name. If you see your business among the suggested businesses, select it).
- If someone else has verified your business, you will see a notification telling you this. In that case, you can request ownership of the profile. Once you have profile ownership, you can continue through these steps.
- Look for your business category and select “Next.”
- Select whether you have a physical location that customers can visit. If you do, enter your business address or pin your location on Google Maps.
- Enter your service area. You can include 20 service areas, including cities or postal codes.
- Enter your phone number and your website URL. Select “Next.”
- Select “Finish.”
- Choose how to verify your profile. You can select “Verify now” or “Verify later.”
More Details on Adding and Claiming Your Business Profile
When you search for your business, you will have the ability to claim or add it. If your business doesn’t appear, you can add your business via Google Maps by entering the address in the search bar. If your business shows up, you can select “Claim this business” and “Manage now.” You will be prompted to verify your business.
Best Practices
As you set up your Google Profile, you should keep the following best practices in mind:
- Make only one Business Profile for your metropolitan area.
- If you don’t have a physical location, select that you are a service area business.
- Try to choose a service area for your local business at least two hours in every direction.
- You can add additional users to your Google business page. You will need to enter their email addresses and roles.
- Optimize your profile by adding photos or videos.
- Optimize your profile by filling out every category, including your description and business details.
How To: Google Business Profile Login Instructions
Logging into your Google business page is incredibly easy.
- Navigate to www.google.com/business.
- Click “Sign in” or “Manage now.”
- Log into your Google account.
- You will have access to your Google business page as well.
What If You Lost Your Password?
The process of recovering a lost password for your business profile is simple. Remember that it is connected to the Google account you signed up with. So, you simply need to recover the password to that account. Just select “Forgot your password” and follow the instructions. Expect to answer security questions or receive a confirmation code on your cellphone. If you don’t remember the email address you used either, you can follow the on-screen instructions. You will be asked to provide your full name and either a phone number or another recovery email address.
