How to Maximise Your Online Presence: Google Business Profile for Beginners

What is Google Business Profile?

Definition and Why

What is Google Business Profile?

Google Business Profile is a free tool to help you manage and grow your online presence across Google’s biggest platforms, Search and Maps.

By having a Google Business Profile you can centralise your business info so customers can find you easily. This profile allows you to show your products, services, opening hours and contact details.

Having a presence on Google is gold as that’s where many consumers are making their purchasing decisions.

A full and optimised Google Business Profile increases the chances of showing up in local search results and driving more foot traffic to physical stores and online interactions.

Having an up to date and active Google Business Profile is key to building credibility and trust. Consumers trust businesses with a clear professional online presence which is seen as more legitimate.

Reviews, responses and up to date info builds trust and customer engagement and retention.

Plus Google Business Profile allows you to connect with customers through the messaging system and get insights through data analytics on customer interactions and profile performance.

This data can be used to refine your marketing and optimise your online presence.

Google Business Profile Benefits

Show up on Google Search

One of the main benefits of having an optimised Google Business Profile is to show up on Google Search and Maps.

This visibility is especially important in local search where Google shows local businesses in what’s called the “Local Pack”.

The Local Pack shows businesses related to a search query in a specific area making them more visible and accessible to customers.

By using relevant keywords that customers might use to search for services or products businesses can improve their search rankings.

This targeted approach not only increases visibility but also drives quality traffic to the business profile and subsequently to the business’s website or physical store.

Drive Customer Engagement and Sales

Being visible on Google’s platforms does more than just show up, it engages customers.

With features like messaging, clickable CTAs like ‘Call now’, ‘Visit website’ or ‘Get directions’ and latest info on services and products customers can interact with businesses more than ever before.

This interaction builds engagement which is the first step to converting browsers into customers.

Use Customer Reviews for Credibility

Another benefit of Google Business Profile is to collect and showcase customer reviews. Positive reviews builds trust and credibility so new customers will choose your business over others.

Responding to reviews (both positive and negative) shows a business is customer obsessed and can boost reputation.

Conversion Optimised

An optimised Google Business Profile is also designed to convert visitors into customers.

By having all the info at a glance (business hours, contact details, services offered) and engaging visuals and real time updates businesses can increase conversion rates.

This optimisation means once a customer finds your business they are more likely to take the next step and buy or book a service.

Get Started with Your Google Business Profile

Create a New Listing

Creating a new listing on Google Business Profile is easy and quick. Here’s how to get started:

Enter Basic Info

• Business Name: Enter the official name of your business as you want it to appear across Google services.

• Address: Enter the physical address of your business. This helps Google to pin your business on the map so customers can find you.

• Category: Select the category that best fits your business. This helps Google to categorise your business and match it with search queries.

Add More and Contact Info:

• Website URL: Add your business website to direct customers to your website for more info, online orders or bookings.

• Phone Number: Add a contact number for customer inquiries, support or reservations.

• Business Hours: Enter your business hours so customers know when you are open. Accurate hours helps to manage customer expectations and reduces customer dissatisfaction due to timing issues.

Manage Your Listing:

• Once you have entered the basic info you can manage and optimise your listing from the Google Business Profile dashboard. This centralised dashboard allows real time updates, performance tracking and direct customer interaction through reviews and messages.

Tips:

• Accuracy is King: Make sure all info is accurate and up to date so you don’t confuse or mislead potential customers.

• Add Images: Adding high quality images of your location, products or services can boost your listing.

• Use SEO: Use relevant keywords in your business description and posts to increase visibility and search relevance.

Claim an Existing Listing

Find and Claim Your Listing

For businesses that find an existing listing on Google Search or Maps that they didn’t create, claiming this listing is the first step to take control of their business info.

Here’s how to claim your existing Google Business Profile:

Search for Your Business:

• Use Google Search or Google Maps to find your business listing. This could be a profile created from user generated info or data Google has compiled.

Select the Listing:

• Once you find the listing look for the option “Own this business?” or “Claim this business” and click on it. This starts the claiming process.

Verify Your Business Connection:

• Google will ask you to verify that you are the business owner or authorised representative. This is an important step to protect the business info.

Verification:

Verification Methods: Google may offer the following methods to verify your claim:

• Postcard Verification: Google will send a postcard to the business address with a verification code.
• Phone Verification: Google will call the business number listed and give you a verification code.
• Email Verification: Google will send a verification code to the registered business email.
• Instant Verification: If you’ve already verified your business website with Google Search Console you may be eligible for instant verification.

Enter the Verification Code:

• Enter the verification code you receive through whichever method you chose. This will confirm your claim and give you access to the listing.

Benefits of Claiming Your Listing:

• Update and Manage Info: Once claimed you can update your business name, address, contact info, hours and more to ensure accuracy.
• Respond to Reviews: Claiming and managing your listing allows you to respond to customer reviews which can impact public perception and customer decisions.
• Add Photos and Offers: Add photos, offers and events to engage with potential customers and keep them up to date with what’s new with your business.

Claiming and verifying your Google Business Profile not only secures your business online presence but also gives you the power to optimise the listing for maximum visibility and engagement.

Verify Your Google Business Profile

Verification Methods for Google Business Profile

Your business info on Google needs to be accurate and authentic.

Google offers several methods to verify your business profile, each suitable for different business setups and needs. Here’s how you can verify your Google Business Profile:

1. Postcard Verification

Process: Google will send a postcard with a verification code to the business address listed on your profile. This is the most common method and takes about 5 business days.

Steps to Verify: Once you receive the postcard, log into your Google Business Profile, enter the code and confirm your location and claim your listing.

2. Phone Verification

Process: Available to some businesses, phone verification involves Google sending a verification code via SMS or a phone call to the business number listed on your profile.

Steps to Verify: Enter the code you receive on your phone into your Google Business Profile dashboard.

3. Email Verification

Process: Like the above, this is limited to eligible businesses. Google will send a verification code to your business email.

Steps to Verify: Check your email for the code, then enter the code in your Google Business Profile dashboard to verify your listing.

4. Instant Verification

Process: If you’ve already verified your business website with Google through Google Search Console you may be eligible for instant verification.

Steps to Verify: Log into Google Business Profile with the same account you used for Google Search Console and you may be able to verify your business without a code.

Why Verify

Accurate and Current Info: Verification ensures the info on your Google Business Profile is accurate and current. Accurate info helps customers trust and rely on your business for their needs.

Control Over Your Profile: Once verified you have full control over your profile. You can update business details, respond to reviews and post updates to your customers.

Google Business Profile Dashboard

Manage Your Profile: After verification use the dashboard to update and optimise your profile. This includes refining your business description, managing reviews, posting updates and adding new photos or offers.

Verifying your Google Business Profile not only secures your business’s presence on Google but also gives you more control over your presence so customers see the most up to date info at all times.

Manage Your Business Profile

NAP Consistency: The Local SEO Secret

One of the key to having a strong online presence is to ensure your Name, Address and Phone number (NAP) is consistent across all digital platforms where your business is listed. This consistency is important not only for local SEO but also for building trust with your customers. Here’s how you can manage and review NAP consistency through your Google Business Profile:

1. Check Your Online Presence

• Listings: Start by listing all the places your business is listed. This includes your Google Business Profile, social media pages, directories like Yelp or TripAdvisor and your own website.
• Check for Consistency: Check each listing to make sure your business name, address and phone number is the same. Even small variations like street abbreviations (St. vs Street) or phone number formatting can affect how search engines view your business’s credibility and authority.

2. Update Inconsistencies

• Google Business Profile Dashboard: Use your Google Business Profile dashboard as the hub to manage and update your NAP. Make sure your primary listing is accurate first.
• Other Platforms: Once your Google Business Profile is updated make the changes on other platforms. Consistency across all platforms tells search engines your business info is reliable and will show up in search results.

3. Ongoing Monitoring

• Regular Checks: Check your listings across all platforms regularly to ensure your NAP is consistent. New directories may pull old data or changes may be made without your knowledge.
• Respond Quickly: If you move location, change your phone number or modify your business name update all listings as soon as possible to stay consistent.

Why NAP Consistency

• Better Local Rankings: Search engines like Google favour businesses with consistent and accurate info as it means they are reliable. This can boost your local search rankings.
• More Online Visibility: Consistent NAP details helps customers find your business more easily, less confusion and missed opportunities.

By managing your NAP consistency businesses can supercharge their local SEO and overall online presence. The Google Business Profile dashboard is the perfect tool to do this with an easy to use interface to manage and sync your business info.

Business Description

Writing a Compelling Story

Your business description on Google Business Profile is a brief but powerful story about what your business offers and why you stand out. This description is important for engaging customers and SEO. Here’s how to write and update a description that grabs attention and drives traffic:

1. Clarity and Relevance

• Simple Language: Keep it simple and to the point. A few sentences that clearly states what your business does, what services or products you offer and any unique selling points.
• Target Audience: Write for your target audience. Use language and terms they use, talk to their needs and how your business can solve them.

2. SEO Tips

• Relevant Keywords: Identify the keywords customers would use to search for your services or products. Add these keywords naturally into your description.
• Local Keywords: If your business is location based include local keywords that reference your area. This will help with local search visibility.

3. Update and Optimise Regularly

• Google Business Profile Dashboard: Use the Google Business Profile dashboard to write and update your business description. Keeping your description fresh and relevant will help with search engine rankings.
• Reflect Changes: If you have changes to your business or want to highlight new features or promotions update your description as soon as possible.

4. What to Add

• Core Offerings: What you offer, products, services or specialties.
• Unique Features: Any unique features or benefits that set you apart from competitors.
• Call to Action: End with a soft call to action, visit your website, book, call for more info.

Benefits of a Good Description

• Increased Engagement: A good description will grab the reader’s attention and make them more likely to visit your website or contact your business.
• Better Search Visibility: SEO descriptions will help with search rankings and make your business visible to customers searching online.

By spending time writing a detailed and keyword rich business description you’ll create a great first impression and get more customers.

Google Maps for Business Visibility

Local Discovery

Google Maps is not just for navigation, it’s a powerful tool for local business visibility. By listing your business on Google Maps you tap into a massive network of customers searching for products and services in your area. Here’s how your business can benefit from being on Google Maps:

1. More Foot Traffic

• Visibility to Locals and Tourists: Being on Google Maps makes your business visible to locals and tourists. People use Maps to find dining, shopping and service options near them. A pin on Google Maps puts you on their radar.
• Directions and Proximity: Customers can find directions to your business easily, reducing the hassle of finding you and increasing the chances of visiting.

2. Better Search Relevance

• Local Search Optimisation: Google Maps is key to local search optimisation. When users search for services or products near them Google Maps shows local businesses that match the query. A well optimised Google Business Profile with location data will increase your chances of showing up in those searches.
• Category Filters: Users can filter search results by category or amenities. Make sure your Google Business Profile is accurate with your business category and attributes so you show up in those searches.

3. Customer Interaction

• Reviews and Ratings: Customers can leave reviews and rate your business directly on Google Maps. Positive reviews and high ratings will attract more customers, managing reviews will help maintain your reputation.
• Live Updates: You can post live updates, such as changes to hours, special offers or events which will be visible to users browsing your location on Maps. This will keep your audience informed in real-time.

4. Business Insights

• Customer Insights: Google Maps provides valuable insights into how customers are interacting with your business listing. You can see how many people are requesting directions, viewing photos or calling your business, which will help you understand customer behavior and preferences.
• Performance Tracking: Track these interactions to help you refine your marketing and operational strategies to better serve your target audience.

5. Integration with Other Google Services

• Seamless Integration: Your Google Maps listing is connected to other Google services like Search and your broader Google Business Profile. This integration will give you a consistent presence across Google platforms and increase your overall visibility.

Strategic Tips for Google Maps Listing

• Complete and Accurate Info: Keep your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) up to date so customers don’t get confused.
• Quality Photos: Upload high quality photos of your business which can influence a customer’s decision to visit.
• Engagement: Ask customers to review your business on Google Maps and respond to their reviews quickly to increase engagement and trust.

Creating Content

Content is a key part of a successful Profile. It keeps you active online and encourages customer interaction. Here are two tools to help you with that: Google Posts and high quality images.

1. Create Google Posts

• Purpose: Google Posts allow businesses to share timely updates, promotions, special events or news directly on their Google Business Profile. This content will show up in Google Search and Maps for users to see.
• How to:
  • Access the Dashboard: Log into the Google Business Profile dashboard to create and manage posts.
  • Content Ideas: Post about upcoming events, special offers, new products or any exciting news about your business.
  • Engagement Tips: Use the call-to-action buttons available in Google Posts like “Learn more”, “Reserve” or “Sign up” to encourage customer interaction.
• Benefits: Posting regularly on your profile will keep your audience informed and engaged which can lead to more customer visits and interactions.

2. Add Images to Your Listing

• Purpose: Images are a crucial part of your business profile to visually show your products, services or the environment of your physical location.
• How to:
  • Access the Dashboard: Use the Google Business Profile dashboard to upload and manage images.
  • Types of Images: Include a mix of images like exterior and interior of your premises, staff in action and your best selling products.
  • Quality and Relevance: Make sure images are high resolution and relevant to the content of your profile to get more attention and give customers a realistic idea of what to expect.
• Benefits: Adding images will make your profile more appealing and help your business stand out in a crowded space. Visual content gets more views and can increase click through rate to your website or contact information.

Content Impact

• Consistency is King: Update your Google Posts and refresh your images to reflect seasonal activities, special offers or changes in your business.
• Monitor Engagement: Use the insights from Google Business Profile to see how your posts and images are performing. Monitoring these metrics will help you know what works with your audience so you can tailor your content.

By using Google Posts and strategic images, businesses can have a dynamic and engaging Google Business Profile that attracts and retains customer attention and drives both online and offline traffic.

Customer Interactions

Managing customer interactions on your Profile can boost your business’s reputation and customer service. Here’s how to engage with your audience through reviews and Questions & Answers:

1. Respond to Reviews

• Importance: Responding to customer reviews is key to building trust and credibility with potential customers. It shows your business values customer feedback and is committed to improving service.
• How to:
  • Access the Dashboard: Log into the Google Business Profile dashboard to view and respond to reviews.
  • Best Practices: Respond to both positive and negative reviews professionally. Thank customers for positive feedback and address any issues in negative reviews by offering solutions or asking the customer to discuss offline.
• Benefits: Responding to reviews regularly will improve your business’s image and encourage more customers to leave their feedback knowing their opinions are heard and acknowledged.

2. Add Questions & Answers

• Purpose: The Questions & Answers feature on Google Business Profile allows businesses to interact with users directly by answering their questions. This feature helps provide clear and accurate information to customers, transparency.
• How to:
  • Access the Dashboard: Use the dashboard to add or respond to questions posted by customers.
  • Proactive: Monitor and answer new questions. Consider adding your own FAQs and provide detailed answers to help potential customers.
• Benefits: Engaging with customers through Questions & Answers will increase your online visibility and engagement. It’s a live FAQ section that will resolve customer doubts and build trust in your services.

Interact More

• Monitor Regularly: Check your Google Business Profile regularly to manage interactions quickly. Continuous monitoring will keep your image positive and respond to customer inquiries or feedback in time.
• Encourage Interaction: Ask customers to leave reviews and questions. More interaction will increase your profile’s activity and relevance in search results.

Maximise with Insights

• Use Insights: Use insights from Google Business Profile to know customer behaviour and preferences based on reviews and questions posted. This data will help you refine your products, services and customer interaction.

By managing reviews and Questions & Answers on your Profile you can have a more customer friendly online presence. This proactive engagement is key to building a brand and a loyal customer base.

Advanced Features of Google Business Profile

To further boost your Profile, using its advanced features will give you more visibility and operational efficiency. Here are some of the advanced options:

1. Select Highlights & Attributes

• Purpose: Highlights and attributes allow businesses to showcase their unique features and services that sets them apart from competitors. Examples are ‘Free Wi-Fi’, ‘Outdoor Seating’ or ‘Pet Friendly’.
• How to:
  • Access the Dashboard: Use the Google Business Profile dashboard to choose which highlights and attributes best represents your business.
  • Customization: Choose from the list of available attributes that relate to your business type and customer interests. This will help potential customers see what makes your business special.
• Benefits: By displaying your unique offerings clearly, you can attract more targeted customers who are looking for specific features that your business provides. This will not only increase your profile’s appeal but also your overall online visibility.

2. Manage Multiple Locations

• Purpose: For businesses with multiple locations, Google Business Profile allows you to manage all your listings in one dashboard. This is perfect for maintaining consistency across multiple sites.
• How to:
  • Unified Dashboard: Log in to your Google Business Profile dashboard where you can view and manage all your locations. This centralised approach will allow uniform updates and all locations will be updated with the latest information.
  • Synchronized Updates: Update contact details, business hours or description and apply to all locations at once or customise per location as needed.
• Benefits: Managing multiple locations in one dashboard will simplify your administrative tasks and improve accuracy across your profiles. It will also increase customer engagement by providing consistent and reliable information no matter which location they search.

Maximise Your Profile with Advanced Features

• Monitor Continuously: Check your profile for updates or new attributes to add.
• Engage with Insights: Use Google Business Profile insights to see how changes in your highlights, attributes and location management affects customer interaction.

By using these advanced features, businesses can boost their online presence and operational efficiency. Highlights and attributes will differentiate your offerings and managing multiple locations will give your customers a seamless experience across all touchpoints.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Managing your Profile means knowing how to fix common issues that may arise. This proactive approach will keep your profile up to date and dynamic and customer-friendly.

1. Common Issues and Solutions

• Verification Delays: One of the common issues is verification delays. If verification via postcard takes longer than expected, check your address for accuracy or request a new postcard. Or explore other verification options like phone or email if available.
• Profile Updates Not Showing: Sometimes changes made to your profile may not show up immediately. This delay is due to the review process Google does to ensure the information is accurate. Make sure all edits comply with Google’s guidelines and be patient as it may take up to 48 hours to show up.
• Incorrect Information: If you see incorrect information on your profile that you didn’t post, it might be due to user suggested edits or automatic updates. Regularly check your profile for accuracy and reject or correct any incorrect changes through the dashboard.

2. Engage with Customers

• Negative Reviews: To fix negative reviews, respond professionally and quickly. Offer to resolve offline if needed which can often change the review or at least show other customers you care about service quality.
• Incorrect Location Pin: If your business location pin on Google Maps is incorrect, you can drag the pin to the correct location through the dashboard. Location data is important for customers trying to visit physical locations.

3. Use the Google Business Profile Dashboard for Troubleshooting

• Tools: The dashboard has all the tools to manage and update your profile. Get familiar with the dashboard to fix common issues as they arise.
• FAQ: Google Business Profile has an FAQ section that’s super helpful. It has common questions and detailed answers on managing your profile, optimizing your presence and troubleshooting issues.

4. Profile Reviews

• Check for Updates: Log in to your dashboard regularly to check your business information for accuracy and completeness. Regular checks will help you fix issues before they affect your business.
• Stay Informed: Google updates its features and guidelines for business profiles frequently. Stay updated on these changes so you can make the most out of the platform and follow the rules.

Advantages of Proactive Troubleshooting

• Better Online Presence: By troubleshooting and updating your profile, you can have a strong online presence that attracts and retains customers.
• Customer Trust: A well managed and accurate business profile builds trust and credibility to customers which is important for business growth.