How To Set Up A Google My Business Account (And Why It's Important)
Setting up and optimising a Google Business listing (now known as Google Business Profile) is one of the most effective ways to help you get found online and boost your website traffic.
You may know this already yet many UK businesses still don't do it.
How to get started...
When users are searching for services or businesses locally, either in the standard Google search engine or Google Maps, appearing in Google's directory listings can drive a significant amount of traffic to your website.
This is ranked number #1 in the UK for effectiveness.
If you don't already have an account you can set up your listing by clicking the link here: www.google.co.uk/business
What next?
Start by adding as much information as you can to your profile (see checklist below).
Once you’ve set up your listing you'll need to verify it. Google will send you a postcard with a code to verify your details - this can take around 3 to 4 days.
Once you're verified you can start populating your listing in more detail and you can ask your clients and customers to leave you reviews. The more positive reviews on your business page, the better!
You can even send your clients a unique link that will take them directly to the reviews section of your listing.
The video below from Ranking Academy takes you through the process of setting up and populating a Google Business profile - it's definitely worth a watch:
Google Business Checklist
The more of the items in the checklist you complete, the stronger your profile will be. It's worth revisiting your listing on a regular basis to add new posts, information, photos and of course to respond to client reviews.
Info
Company Name
Business Category
Address
Service Area
Opening Hours
Special Hours
Opening Date
Description
Services
Posts
Event
Offer
Product
Book
Order Online
Buy
Learn More
Sign Up
Call Now
Insights
Customer Search
Queries
Customer View
Customer Actions
Direction Requests
Phone Calls
Photo Views
Description
Photos
Cover Photo
Logo
Team Photo
Interior Photos
Exterior Photos
At Work
Products
Videos
Promote Items
Add An Introduction Video
Interior Office Video
Exterior Office Video
Products
Messaging
Install GMB App
Reviews
Ask for Reviews
Respond to ALL Reviews
Users
Add Owner
Add Primary Owner
Add Manager
Add Site Manager
We've added another video below from Ranking Academy which again offers some great insights into Google Business SEO:
What about other search engines?
Once your Google Business page is verified, do the same for Bing Places. It will automatically copy all your Google data over to Bing (nice and simple!).
Bing Places: www.bingplaces.com
Looking for help with your Google Business Profile?
Speak to us. We set up and manage profiles for many of our website clients and we can offer help and advice on 'best practice' for optimising and getting he most out of this product.
Just call us on 01482 880929 or visit our contact page and send and email or fill in the contact form.
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