Google My Business SEO: How to Set Up a Google Business Profile

Posted on January 20th, 2025

Getting your business to appear in local search results can be tough, even if you’re already familiar with SEO. One great way to improve your visibility on Google is using Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). This free tool lets you control your business’s appearance on Google Search and Google Maps. When you set up a Google Business Profile, you can add important details like your hours, contact info, business description, and photos to help your profile stand out. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need about Google Business Profile SEO, from setting up your profile and fixing any issues to tips for improving your rank in local searches.

Why Is Google My Business Important for Local SEO

When you search locally on Google, the first three things you see are Google Ads, the Google 3-Pack, and organic search results. Having a Google Business Profile helps your business get noticed by showing useful information about what you offer.

When more people see your business, they’re more likely to visit your website, which can lead to more customers and sales. Filling out your Google Business Profile helps Google understand your business better. This includes picking the right category, confirming your location, and adding important details like descriptions, hours, product lists, and photos.

A well-optimized profile is more likely to appear higher in local search results. Improving your Google My Business SEO will help you connect with potential customers. For example, by providing contact details and business info, you make it easier for customers to reach out with questions or feedback. It also helps you respond quickly to them.

Another great feature of Google My Business is showing customer reviews. Research shows that online reviews can greatly affect a customer’s decision to buy. Positive reviews on your profile will make your business more trustworthy, which can help attract more customers.

How to Set Up a Google My Business Account

In this part, we will go over the steps to create a Google My Business account.

How to Create Google My Business Account

The first thing you need to do to create a Google business account is go to the Google My Business website, where you can manage your business details. Begin by logging into your Gmail account. It’s a good idea to use a professional email that includes your business name. After logging in, you’ll see an option to add your business to Google.

If your business has been around for a while, Google may already have a listing for it based on information found online. To prevent duplicate listings, search for your business name on Google. If there’s already a listing, you can claim it by requesting ownership. For new businesses, just fill in the required information to create your listing.

Add Business Name and Category

When you add your business name, make sure it’s the same across all places, like your website and social media. This helps people find you easily. Then, pick a category that matches your business, like a nail salon, web design agency, or tea shop. This will help you appear in the right search results. You can pick up to nine categories, but the first one you choose will be the main category.

Add Location and Service Areas

The next step is to add your business address. For businesses with a physical location, ensure the address matches what’s listed on other platforms, like your website’s contact page.

If your business doesn’t have a physical store, it will be listed as a Service Area Business (SAB). These businesses provide services at customers’ locations instead of having customers come to the store. Examples are plumbing or cleaning services. In this case, you should list the areas you serve, such as cities, postal codes, or regions.

Add Contact Details

To make it easier for customers to contact you, include your business phone number.

You can add up to two extra numbers, besides your main one. Keep in mind that only mobile or landline numbers are allowed, not fax numbers. If you have a business website, it’s a good idea to add it as well. This can help bring more visitors to your company’s site.

Add Business Hours

Show your store’s regular hours on your Google My Business profile so customers know when you’re available. Once your profile is set up, you can also adjust your hours for special times, like holidays.

Add Messaging

Google has a feature that lets customers message you directly from your listing. To turn it on, just switch on the “Accept Messages” option.

Add Business Description

To finish setting up your Google My Business listing, add a short description of your company. Share what your business offers and include helpful details about your products and services. Keep it clear and interesting to grab the attention of potential customers. Avoid adding URLs or HTML code, and make sure the description is under 750 characters.

Add Photos of Your Business

To make your GMB listing stand out, upload pictures of your business, such as the storefront, products, and street view. Adding photos not only boosts engagement but also helps build trust with customers by showing them what your business is about. It’s also a good idea to upload your official logo to make it easier for people to recognize your business.

How to Verify and Publish Google My Business Listing

To publish your listing, Google needs to verify that your business is real and that you own it. For businesses with a physical location, the usual way to verify is by postcard. After you enter your mailing address, Google will send a postcard with a unique code.

Once you get the postcard, go to your Google Business Profile and enter the five-digit code to confirm your business location. There are other ways to verify your business, like through SMS, email, video, or a live video call. After the verification is done, Google will officially publish your Google Business Profile.

How to Troubleshoot Google My Business Account Issues

Facing problems while managing a Google My Business account can hurt your local SEO. It’s helpful to know what issues might come up and how to fix or avoid them.

Why is my Google My Business listing not showing up?

Possible reasons why your Google My Business listing isn’t showing up:

  • Incomplete Profile: Make sure your profile is fully filled out and verified.
  • Business Category Issues: Ensure that the category you’ve selected is correct.
  • Duplicate Listings: Having multiple listings for the same business can cause issues.
  • Suspended Account: Google may suspend your listing if it violates its guidelines.
  • Location Issues: Ensure that your address is accurate and follows Google’s location guidelines.

How can I edit my Google My Business listing?

To edit your GMB listing:

  1. Sign in to Google My Business.
  2. Click on the location you want to manage.
  3. Select the “Info” tab to update information such as business hours, contact info, address, and business category.

Can I manage multiple locations with Google My Business?

Yes, Google My Business allows you to manage multiple locations from a single account. You can add new locations and assign different managers or owners to each listing. The management interface allows you to handle each listing separately.

Fixing a Suspended Google My Business Account

A common problem with Google Business Profiles is having your account suspended. When this happens, you won’t be able to manage your listing, and it might not show up in Google Search. This reduces your visibility and can hurt your ability to generate leads. Accounts are often suspended because Google thinks the business has broken one of its rules. Some common reasons include:

  • Using an incorrect business name.
  • Listing your business address at a virtual office or co-working space.
  • Using a P.O. Box or a home address for your business.
  • Posting inappropriate content.
  • Showing a physical address when your business is service-based.
  • Making too many changes to your profile at once.

To fix a suspension, you need to restore your account. However, simply asking Google to review your account without figuring out the cause won’t help. First, you need to understand what led to the suspension. Since Google doesn’t tell you the reason, it’s best to carefully review Google’s guidelines and check your account for any issues. Once you find the problem, fix your listing. Then, fill out the reinstatement form. You may need to provide proof, like legal documents, utility bills, photos of your physical store, or the URL of your GMB dashboard. To avoid future suspensions, it’s a good idea to regularly check your listing and make sure everything is accurate.

Flagging a Negative Review

Negative reviews about past jobs or your competitors go against Google’s rules. Fortunately, you can remove such reviews by reporting them. Just log in to your GMB account, find the review, and click the three dots next to it to mark it as inappropriate. Google usually processes reports within three days. If the review isn’t removed, you can contact the Google Business Profile support team for help.

Trouble Signing In to Your GMB Account

If you have trouble logging into your account, like forgetting your password or email, or facing issues with two-step verification, it can be frustrating. In these situations, go to the Google Accounts Troubleshooter for help with different sign-in problems. You can also check the Google Business Profile community forum, where people talk about common issues and share solutions.

How to Report a Google My Business Account

Improving your business for local SEO can be a lot of work, and it can be frustrating when fake listings rank higher. Knowing how to report a fake Google My Business listing can help improve your search results. A spam listing on Google Business Profile might look like:

  • Fake listings: Businesses that don’t exist or are not at the listed address.
  • Duplicate listings: Businesses that either mistakenly create multiple listings or do so on purpose to appear more often in the search results.
  • Keyword stuffing: Businesses that add extra keywords or street addresses to their names.

If you come across a listing like this, it’s a good idea to report it to Google right away. The easiest way is to suggest an edit. On the business listing, you’ll see an option called “Suggest an edit.” You can use this to suggest changes to the name, category, address, hours, or other details. If the business doesn’t exist or is a duplicate, choose the “Close or remove” option instead.

Another way to report a Google Business Profile is by filling out a Business Redressal complaint form. You can use this form to report multiple spam listings, incorrect details, or any dishonest activity that goes against GMB’s rules.

Determining Google My Business Ranking Factors

When figuring out local search rankings, Google looks at the following factors:

Relevance

Google checks how well your business matches what customers are looking for. Being clear about what your business does helps Google recognize it as a relevant choice for searches. Make sure to fill in all the necessary details and pick the correct category to increase your visibility.

Proximity

Proximity is another factor that affects local rankings. It means the distance between the search location and the potential business results. For example, if your business is in Canada, you can’t show up in local searches for New York. If there’s no specific location in the search, Google may use past location data or content to figure out the most relevant businesses for the search.

Prominence

Prominence looks at how well-known your business is. Google gathers info from articles, reviews, local events, and directories to assess this. Google also looks at the reputation of businesses in popular offline places like museums, landmarks, or stores. Your website’s ranking is also important, so make sure to optimize it. Keep it updated and regularly post new photos and updates to attract and engage visitors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting up a Google Business Profile is an important step to boost your business’s online visibility and local search ranking. As more people search for businesses online, having a Google My Business profile is important to increase your company’s visibility on search engines. It makes it easier for people to find your products, contact information, and store location. Taking these simple steps can help bring more people to your business, build trust, and support growth.

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