Google my business, a free way to grow your business and access, new customers

Set up a free Google my business account

Creating a free google my business account is a free way to grow your business and access new customers.

It’s a lot easier to set up than you think, no website is actually needed. Google really stepped up their game with the pandemic and played a big role in helping small businesses stay or finally going digital.

Gain Insights Into Your Business

Google My Business can help you gain insights into your business that you cannot get through other platforms — they can help you make strategic decisions. These insights include:

  • The number of views your profile, photos, and posts receives.
  • The search queries which people are using to find your business.
  • The engagement.
  • A profile of your audience (age groups, gender, and countries).
  • The number of website clicks, phone calls, and direction queries.

How to get to the front page of Google in 2021 without Ads

  1. Create a keyword strategy to target the terms your target customers are searching for.
  2. Incorporate the keywords into your website content as well as HTML tags.
  3. Write for humans (not search engines).
  4. Target location-based searches.
  5. Optimize for mobile.
  6. Focus on user experience.
  7. Create a Google My Business account.
  8. Optimize your Business Profile.
  9. Obtain customer reviews.
  10. List your business on directories.

Sign up for Google My Business (straight from google support, link embedded)

Important: When you register a new business, there might be a Business Profile for an old business at the same location. Do not try to claim it. Instead, suggest an edit to have it marked as closed. Then, you can create a new profile on Google My Business for your business.

    1. On your computer, sign in to Google My Business.
    2. Sign in to your Google Account, or create one. Then, click Next.
      • Sign up with your business email domain since this account will be for your chain. Enter the name of your business or chain. If you have a chain, you can also select it from the suggestions that display as you type.
    3. Enter your business’ or chain’s address. Then, click Next.
      • You may also be asked to position a marker on the location of your business or chain’s branch on a map. If your business doesn’t have a physical location but operates within a service area, you can list the area instead. Then, click Next
    4. Choose how your business will display on Google Maps.
      • If you serve customers at your business address:
        1. Enter your business address.
        2. Click Next. If you also serve customers outside your business address, you’ll have the option to list your service areas as well.
      • If you don’t serve customers at your business address:
        1. Enter your business address.
        2. At the bottom, click I deliver goods and services to my customers and then Next.
        3. List your service areas, then click Next.
    5. Search for and select a business category. Then, click Next.
    6. Enter a phone number or website URL, then click Finish.
      • You’ll also have the option to create a free website based on your information. It’s recommended that you provide the individual phone number or store page for each location, rather than a single centralized call center.
    7. Select a verification option. It’s recommended 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 and then Later.
      • If you’re not authorized to manage the Business Profile for the chain, find the person in your organization, find the person in your organization who’s authorized and continue the process. 
Review your business information
  • Be sure to confirm that your business information is correct. When you verify your business information, it means all your information is ready for customers to find across Google.

    To edit incorrect information, follow these steps:

    1. When you sign up for Google My Business, during the verification step,  click Verify later and then Later.
      • If you manage more than one location, on the left, open the Menu and click Manage locations. Then, select the location you want to edit.
    2. On the left, click Menu and then Info.
    3. Next to each section, you want to change, click Edit. Then, enter your business information.
    4. Click Apply.

    Now that you either claimed or created your Business Profile, it’s time to verify your business. After you verify, your business information will be eligible to display across Google.

At Success By Design, we design and implement growth strategies, business processes and customer experiences that increase sales, productivity and generates profit in a sustainable way. Are you ready to grow your business and increase productivity and profitability? Learn more  about our tools and services by visiting our website. Let us help you with your business challenges, book a 30-minute free discovery call now.

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