Google Business Profile- What, Why, and How?

What is a Google Business Profile?

Google Business Profile is a tool that allows you to control how your business appears on Google Searches and Google Maps. A Google Profile also allows you to connect with other businesses, list your offerings, services, or products, and share your contact details. You can even add a Q&A section and receive Google reviews through your Google Business Profile.

A Google Business profile compliments your website by adding more visibility to your website on Google Search and Google Maps.

It looks a little like this below!

Advantages of having a Google Business Profile

Increased visibility–

A GBP ensures that your business appears prominently on Google Search and Google Maps. This increased visibility is important for attracting potential customers who may be looking for products or services you offer in their local area.

Credibility and trust

Customers rely on online reviews and ratings to make informed decisions. A GBP allows your customers to leave reviews, contributing to your online reputation. Positive reviews build credibility and trust and can influence people to choose to support your business. 

Local SEO advantage

Google uses information from your business profile to determine local search rankings. By optimising your profile with accurate and relevant information, you improve your chances of appearing in local search results. 

Business information at a glance

Your profile serves as a snapshot of your business, providing essential information such as contact details, operating hours, website links, and more. It helps customers to find the information they need quickly. 

FREE marketing tool

Creating and managing your profile is free. This makes it a cost-effective way to market your business online. 

Insights and analytics

Google My Business provides insights into how customers interact with your profile including the number of views, searches, and actions taken. This can inform data-driven decision-making. 

Signing up for a Google Business Profile

1. Create or sign into a Google account. Click here to visit the page to set this up 
2. If you create a new account, sign up with your business email domain. 
3. Enter the name of the business.
4. If you get a message that someone else has already verified the business, you can request ownership of the business profile.
5. Enter the business information.
6. Select your business type/category.
7. Click Next.
8. Choose whether you have a location that customers can visit.
9. Enter the service area of your business- you can set your service areas based on the cities, postcodes, or other areas that you serve. You can add up to 20 service areas.
10. Enter a phone number and website URL.
11. Click next.
12. Click Finish.
13. Select a verification option.

• We recommend that you review your information before you request verification 
• To verify now: at the top, find the red banner and click verify now.
• To verify later: click verify later > later.

Understand profile owner and manager roles

Owners

Each business profile can have multiple owners but only one primary owner. 

Primary owners and Owners:

• Can add other users to share management of a profile
• Have the same capabilities, except:
• A primary owner can’t remove themselves from a Business Profile until they transfer primary ownership to another user

Managers:

• Have most of the capabilities of an Owner, except for the more sensitive functions
• Can’t remove the Business Profile 
• Can’t manage users

Manage account access

You can add users to your business profile, or to a location group that contains several of your profiles. This can help you manage your business presence online. 

When you add or remove a member from your profile, you must:

• Have their email addresses
• Select a role for each member

Transfer primary ownership

1. Go to your business profile 
2. Select the three-dot-menu 
3. Select the person you’d like to change access
4. Select the user’s role> primary owner
5. Select Save

Conclusion 

A Google Business Profile is an absolute necessity for any business who are looking to thrive. Not only can a Google Business Profile enhance your online presence and attract more customers but it also serves as a virtual storefront and is a crucial first impression on potential customers. Don’t waste any time- is your Google Business Profile set up? We hope this short guide can help you.