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Setting up your Google Business Profile (originally GMB) is the first step to growing your local business’ presence online. That’s because it allows your business to pop up whenever a potential customer types in keywords related to your business.
Setting up your GMB (Google Business profile) allows you to grow reviews and presence in your service area, and results in more quality phone calls over time.
The reason why this works for local service business in particular is because location is one of the main factors in showing up. Just like when you type in “gas station” while driving down a highway – the one closest to you is near the top.
For example, when you search for “artificial turf” for our client EternaTurf in Tampa, their business contact info appears.
Recent good reviews and proximity to the location are some of the biggest factors that determine how you appear in the local rankings. That’s because it’s in Google’s best interest to give users the best results from highly ranked companies.
Something similar also happens when you search for their name directly.
The reason their GMB appears alongside links to their website is because Google wants to give users an idea of what they can expect and how highly their rated in the location they serve. By simply having a GMB, you’re massively improving the chance of getting more business.
That means more site visits, leads submitted, and phone calls placed. We have a full guide on how to set up your GMB already, but here’s how it works:
Task Checklist
Information that you will need:
- Google Account: An existing Google account or the ability to create a new one.
- Business Information: The name of your business, category, and a brief description.
- Location Details: Provide the physical address of your business or service area if you don’t have a physical location.
- Contact Information: A phone number and website address (or a Facebook page if you don’t have a website).
- Verification Method: Access the business email or phone number to receive verification codes.
Steps:
- 1 Sign in to Google Business Profile.
- 2. Add your business.
- 3. Enter your location.
- 4. Fill in your contact information.
- 5. Finish and manage your listing.
Step 1: Sign in to Google Business Profile
Go to www.google.com/business to sign in. You can either sign in with an existing Google account or create a new one. If you’re already signed in, skip ahead to the next step.
Tip: Make sure you sign up with your business email domain.
Step 2: Add your business
Enter your business name. If it does not appear in the drop-down menu, click Add your business to Google. Then select the appropriate category for your business.
The name is the first signal you need to pay attention to if you want to drive more
traffic. Make sure your listing name has keywords in it, and make sure it’s the same as your actual business name.
Step 3: Enter your location
If you have a physical location that customers can visit, select Yes.
Then add your address. You may also be asked to position a marker for the location on a map.
If your business does not have a location customers can visit but offers a service or delivery, you can list your service area.
Step 4: Fill in your contact information
Enter your business phone number and website address so customers can reach you. If you use a Facebook page rather than a website, you can add that instead.
However, a website would be a better option. If your website is ranking well organically, that’s going to help drive local traffic to your GBP profile.
Step 5: Finish and manage your listing
Check Yes if you would like to receive updates and notifications. Then click Finish. You’ll then be asked to verify your business.
Verification Checklist
To know if you successfully created your Google Business Profile (GBP) account, look for these signs:
- Verification Confirmation: You should receive a notification from Google confirming your business has been verified.
- Dashboard Access: You can access and manage your business information in the Google Business Profile dashboard.
- Search Visibility: Your business appears in Google Search and Google Maps with the information you provided.
- Email Notification: Google typically sends an email confirming the successful creation and verification of your GBP account.
- Public Listing: When you search for your business name on Google, you see your business profile with details like address, phone number, and website.
A GMB is just one of many ways you can promote your local service business. Our goal here to to provide full transparency to Google that we’re a real business, operating in the area we claim to do work in.
Therefore, make sure you also have local citations in place across over 50 places. These citations will act as a signal for Google that the business is real, with a real business address.
Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is a former search engine engineer who has spent a billion dollars on Google and Facebook ads for Nike, Quiznos, Ashley Furniture, Red Bull, State Farm, and other organizations that have many locations.
He has achieved 25% of his goal of creating a million digital marketing jobs because of his partnership with universities, professional organizations, and agencies. Companies like GoDaddy, Fiverr, onlinejobs.ph, 7 Figure Agency, and Vendasta partner with him to create training and certifications.
Dennis created the Dollar a Day Strategy for local service businesses to enhance their existing local reputation and make the phone ring. He's coaching young adult agency owners who serve plumbers, AC technicians, landscapers, roofers, electricians in conjunction with leaders in these industries.
Mr. Yu believes that there should be a standard in measuring local marketing efforts, much like doctors and plumbers need to be certified and licensed. His Content Factory training and dashboards are used by thousands of practitioners.