In today’s digital world, having a strong online presence is essential for any business. Whether you’re a local café, a boutique shop, or a design agency, ensuring your business can be found online is crucial for attracting customers. One of the most effective and straightforward ways to enhance your visibility is by claiming and setting up a Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business).
This blog will guide you through the process of claiming your profile and explain how it can help build your online presence.
What is a Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile is a free tool that allows businesses to manage how they appear across Google services, such as Google Search and Google Maps. It provides essential business details, including your location, hours of operation, and contact information. But it’s more than just a listing — it allows you to engage with customers, share updates, respond to reviews, and showcase your business with images.
Why should you claim your Google Business Profile?
Before we get into the setup process, let’s explore why having a Google Business Profile is beneficial:
- Increased Visibility: When someone searches for your business or similar services, your profile appears on Google Search and Maps, increasing your chances of being found by potential customers.
- Improved Local SEO: Google Business Profiles are particularly important for local search results. If someone is searching for a business "near me," Google is more likely to display local results from verified profiles.
- Customer Engagement: The platform allows you to interact with customers by responding to reviews, answering questions, and sharing updates, promoting trust and engagement.
- Insights & Analytics: Google provides analytics about how people are finding your business, which can help you refine your marketing strategies.
Now, let's move on to how you can claim and set up your profile.
Step 1: Sign in to Google Business
First, make sure you have a Google account. Then, head over to Google Business Profile and click “Manage Now.” Sign in using your Google account.
Step 2: Search for your business
Google will ask you to search for your business to see if it’s already listed. If it is, you can claim it by clicking on it. If not, you’ll be prompted to add your business.
Step 3: Enter your business information
Next, you’ll need to provide the following details:
- Business Name: Make sure it’s exactly how you want it to appear to customers.
- Business Category: This helps Google determine when to show your business. Choose the category that best fits your services.
- Location: If you have a physical storefront, you’ll enter your address here. If you operate online or from home, you can skip adding an address and choose to list a service area instead.
- Contact Information: Add your phone number and website, making it easy for customers to get in touch.
Step 4: Verify your business
Google requires verification to ensure that you’re the rightful owner of the business. The most common verification method is by postcard. Google will send a postcard to your business address with a verification code that you’ll enter online. Other verification methods may include phone, email, or instant verification, depending on your business type.
Step 5: Complete your profile
Once verified, you can finish setting up your profile by adding more details. This includes:
- Business Hours: Make sure to add your working hours so customers know when you’re open.
- Photos: Upload high-quality images of your business, products, or services. Profiles with photos are much more engaging.
- Business Description: Write a compelling description that summarises what your business does and what makes it unique.
Step 6: Optimise your profile
Now that your profile is set up, you’ll want to optimise it to maximise its impact:
- Post Regular Updates: Share updates, offers, or events using the post feature.
- Respond to Reviews: Engage with customer feedback, both positive and negative, to build trust and improve your reputation.
- Update Information Regularly: Keep your profile up to date with any changes in hours, services, or contact information.
How your Google Profile can build your small business
Now that your profile is live, here’s how it can help build your online presence:
- Enhanced Local SEO: By having a verified Google Business Profile, your business is more likely to appear in local search results. This can be particularly beneficial for small and independent businesses, as local SEO helps you stand out in your area.
- Increased Credibility: A complete and well-maintained profile, with positive reviews and responses, establishes your business as credible and trustworthy in the eyes of customers. People are more likely to choose businesses with a good online presence over those without one.
- Greater Engagement: With features like reviews, Q&A, and posts, your Google Business Profile encourages interaction, helping you build a stronger relationship with your audience. Engaging with customers online can also lead to more foot traffic and direct inquiries.
- Better Customer Insights: Google provides data on how customers are interacting with your profile. You’ll be able to see how many people view your profile, where they’re coming from, and what actions they’re taking (such as calling or visiting your website). This data can help you make informed decisions about your marketing and customer service strategies.
How often should I update my Google Profile?
It’s important to keep your Google Business Profile fresh and accurate. While the core details like business name, address, and contact information should remain consistent, other elements like posts, photos, and opening hours should be updated regularly. Here’s a guide on how often to update your profile:
- Business Hours: Update if your opening hours change temporarily or permanently. Google even lets you set special hours for holidays and events.
- Photos and Posts: Aim to upload new photos and create posts at least once a month. Fresh content keeps your profile active and engaging, which can improve your ranking in local search results.
- Products and Services: If your business offers new services or products, be sure to add them as soon as possible to keep your offerings current.
- Reviews and Q&A: Respond to customer reviews and questions promptly. Regular interaction shows you’re active and engaged, which helps build trust with potential customers.
How do I invite people to review my profile?
Positive reviews are one of the best ways to build credibility online. Here are some effective methods to encourage your customers to leave reviews:
- Direct Link: Google makes it easy to share a direct link for reviews. Log in to your Google Business Profile, navigate to the “Home” tab, and look for the "Get more reviews" card. You can copy and share this link with your customers via email or social media.
- Email Campaigns: If you have an email list, consider sending a friendly request asking satisfied customers to leave a review. Include the direct link to make it easy for them.
- Printed Materials: Include a review request on your receipts, business cards, or flyers. You can generate a QR code that links to your review page, making it simple for customers to scan and review.
- In-Person Requests: Ask loyal customers directly if they would be willing to leave a review. Often, customers are happy to help out, especially when they’ve had a positive experience.
What to do about negative or fake reviews?
No business is immune to receiving negative or fake reviews, but how you handle them can make a huge difference in maintaining your online reputation. Here’s what to do:
- Respond Professionally: For genuine negative reviews, respond in a calm and professional manner. Apologise for the issue and offer to make it right. A thoughtful response shows that you care about your customers’ experiences.
- Flag Fake Reviews: If you suspect a review is fake, you can flag it for removal. In your Google Business Profile dashboard, go to the review in question, click on the three dots next to it, and select “Flag as inappropriate.” While Google won’t remove a review just because it’s negative, they will take action against reviews that violate their policies, such as spam or offensive content.
- Encourage More Positive Reviews: A few negative reviews won’t hurt your reputation if they’re outweighed by many positive ones. Encourage happy customers to leave reviews to build a well-rounded profile.
Conclusion
Claiming and setting up your Google Business Profile is an essential step for building a strong online presence. It increases your visibility, improves your SEO, and allows you to engage directly with customers. For small and independent businesses it’s an invaluable tool for reaching local customers and staying competitive in today’s digital landscape.
If you haven’t already, now is the time to claim your Google Business Profile and start reaping the benefits! If you need help setting up your Google Listing or help with an issue, please get in touch. We’d be happy to help.
