A Step-by-Step Guide to Google My Business

A robust online presence is crucial for Orange County online businesses in today’s digital age. One virtual platform to establish your online presence is Google My Business (GMB). GMB lets you showcase your business information, interact with customers, and improve local search visibility. In this accessible guide, we’ll walk you through setting up your Google My Business profile.

Step 1: Sign Up for Google My Business:

1. Visit the Google My Business website at business.google.com.
2. Click on the “Manage now” button.
3. Sign in using your existing Google account or create a new one.

Step 2: Add Your Business Information:

1. Enter your business name. Make sure it is accurate and matches your official business name.
2. Select the category that best describes your business.
3. Add your business location, including the address, city, state, and ZIP code.
4. If you provide products or services at customer locations and don’t have a physical storefront, select “I deliver goods and services to my customers.”

Step 3: Verify Your Business:

1. Google will require you to verify your business to ensure its legitimacy. Verification usually involves receiving a postcard at your business address with a verification code.
2. Follow the instructions to request the postcard, which typically takes 5-10 business days to arrive.
3. Once you receive the postcard, log in to your Google My Business account and enter the verification code.

Step 4: Optimize Your Profile:

1. Add high-quality photos of your business, including the exterior, interior, products, and staff members.
2. Write a compelling business description. Emphasize your unique selling points and include relevant keywords to improve search visibility.
3. Provide accurate business hours, contact information, and website URL.
4. Encourage customers to leave reviews by enabling the review feature on your GMB profile.

Step 5: Manage Customer Reviews:

1. Monitor and respond promptly to customer reviews, both positive and negative. Here, you can show you value customer feedback and are committed to addressing concerns.
2. Encourage satisfied customers to write positive reviews by providing excellent service and politely asking for feedback.

Step 6: Use Google My Business Features:

1. Create posts to share updates, promotions, or events.
2. Utilize the Q&A section to answer customer queries.
3. Add relevant attributes to highlight special features or amenities your business offers.

Step 7: Regularly Update Your Profile:

1. Keep your business information current, including hours of operation, contact details, and website links.
2. Please update your profile with new photos, posts, and offers to keep it fresh and engaging.

Conclusion

Setting up your Google My Business profile is essential to improving your online visibility and attracting more customers. Following this easy guide can create a comprehensive and engaging profile that helps customers find and connect with your business. Remember to keep your profile updated and actively engage with customer reviews and inquiries to make the most of this powerful marketing tool.

If you need more help improving your online presence, Drive Traffic Media can help you there. As a digital marketing agency in Orange County, we provide everything from social media management to search engine optimization to website design! If you’re interested in what we offer, call us at (949) 800-6990 or (310) 341-3939 to get started.