What is Google My Business?

You may or may not be aware that Google has shut down Google+. If you had a Google+ account, it was removed in April 2019. You will want to remove the social icon from all your pages.

While Google My Business is not the same thing, it can be an effective marketing tool for your business. We strongly encourage all businesses with a physical location to set themselves up with a Google My Business account.

What is Google My Business?

A free tool that allows you to manage how your business appears on Google Search and Maps. That includes adding your business name, website, map location, and hours. You can monitor and reply to customer reviews; add photos and learn where and how people are searching for you, and more.

Who Can Use Google My Business?

It is designed for businesses that have a physical location and service a geographical location. More search results are focusing on listings in the general area that the searcher is located. This is especially true of mobile searches. Creating your GMB account and verifying it will help you get found more easily in Google local search results.

After you verify your business, make sure to go to the info section in your dashboard and fill in all possible information. You'll also want to get a good photo to add as your cover photo. This photo can show up in search listings. You can upload other images as well that will help searchers see your business. More information tends to build trust and make your location more appealing.

What else?

Reviews. Encourage customers to use Google reviews to comment on your business. Google has explicitly stated that more reviews and good reviews will rank higher in results.

Google posts. A great place to add upcoming events or sales.

GMB is not available in all countries. When you are setting up, and enter your address, you will be notified if your country is not allowed. Google also has some guidelines for you to read.

So get started with GMB today and rank higher in search results.