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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.
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 co-author of the #1 best-selling book on Amazon in social media, The Definitive Guide to TikTok Ads. He has spent a billion dollars on Facebook ads across his agencies and agencies he advises. Mr. Yu is the "million jobs" guy-- on a mission to create one million jobs via hands-on social media training, partnering with universities and professional organizations.You can find him quoted in major publications and on television such as CNN, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, NPR, and LA Times. Clients have included Nike, Red Bull, the Golden State Warriors, Ashley Furniture, Quiznos-- down to local service businesses like real estate agents and dentists. He's spoken at over 750 conferences in 20 countries, having flown over 6 million miles in the last 30 years to train up young adults and business owners. He speaks for free as long as the organization believes in the job-creation mission and covers business class travel.You can find him hiking tall mountains, eating chicken wings, and taking Kaqun oxygen baths-- likely in a city near you.