Before you start putting efforts to get your business on the search results, you must know what Google My Business is all about.

What is Google My Business?

It is a free listing tool provided by Google that lets local businesses list themselves so that their name appears when online users are in search of a relevant business on Google.

Benefits of GMB for Local Service Providers

A complete and optimized GMB profile helps your business land on the top of the organic results when people look for a relevant business.

Plethora of Features

GMB listing can act as a mini website. It displays customer reviews, uploads, and Google posts which allows you to promote sales and offers.

Analytical Measurements

You can find all the analytical data in the ‘insights’ tab in GMB. Select a particular analysis, and the information will show up on a chart. Utilize this information to optimize your GMB listing and other tactics to target your customers better and acquire new leads.

Widen the Scope of Communication

GMB encourages online users to review your business, leave comments, and ask questions. You can respond to your audience and assist them with what they are looking for. So potential leads are converted into customers. Positive reviews make 73% of consumers trust a local business more and 85% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

Cost-Effective And Easy

By listing your local service business on GMB, you are putting your business in front of many potential customers, that too at no cost. To add to it, setting up your GMB account takes only a few minutes.

How to Create Your GMB Listing?

1) Sign in to Google My Business and click on ‘Start Now’

2) If you don’t have a Google account, create one.

3) Find your business to claim it. Type in your business name and address in the “Find My Business” search tab to find it.

4) While adding your business, you will be asked to fill in your business details. Enter all your business information such as the name-address-phone number (NAP) details, operational hours of your business, email, website, etc.

5) Next, categorize your service business correctly. Select the right category from the drop-down menu. Numerous category options are available with GMB. Make sure you are as specific as possible while selecting the category. When done, click on ‘Continue.’

6) Your Google My Business profile and account will be created. You will be asked to verify the address of your business so that Google can send you the verification postcard. This postcard will take 1-2 weeks to arrive. Once it does, it will contain instructions on how to verify that you are authorized to claim your business.

7) Once your address is verified, you can access your Google My Business dashboard. Click on the grid of squares in the top-right corner, and you’ll get access to all the Google tools.

8) Add your business’s logo, company photographs, and other additional details, and edit your company information to have a complete business listing.

9) Click ‘Done Editing’ and you are done with the profile creation.

10) If you don’t have a physical location, you’ll have to create a Brand Page. Click the ‘Not a local business?’ link in the top right-hand corner of the page. Then, under “Choose business type” click ‘Brand’. You’ll have to create a name for your brand page and enter your website address. Once done, you can edit your profile, much as described for the local business pages above.