What if I told you there\u2019s only 5 minutes standing between you and powerful Google marketing tools? I\u2019m talking about Google My Business. It\u2019s free, easy to set up, and can drive serious traffic to your website or store from Google Search and Google Maps.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s set up your Google Business Profile (as it\u2019s now called) together in less than 30 seconds (yes, I timed it) and fully optimize it in 4 minutes and 30 seconds. You\u2019ll also find out how to keep your profile updated and where to fit it into your marketing strategy.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Bonus: <\/strong>Get the free template<\/strong><\/span> to easily craft a detailed profile of your ideal customer and\/or target audience.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Google Business Profile is a free marketing tool provided by Google. It allows business owners to manage how they appear in online tools like Google Search and Google Maps.<\/p>\n When you set up a Google Business Profile, the photos and other details of your business \u2014 including location, services, and products \u2014 are used across Google, increasing your visibility to prospects in online search.<\/p>\n Most businesses are eligible for Google Business Profile. This includes those without a physical address location, e.g. businesses that sell products through a website.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Create. Schedule. Publish. Engage. Measure. Win.<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFree 30-Day Trial<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n When putting together search results for someone\u2019s location-based search query (e.g. \u201cbike shop Lower East Side\u201d), Google uses Google Business Profile information \u2014 location, phone numbers, descriptions, etc. \u2014 to decide which businesses best fit the searcher\u2019s intent. The best matches show up in the top positions on the search results page.<\/p>\n The same goes for surfacing local businesses in Google Maps searches:<\/p>\n Source: <\/em>Google Maps<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Congrats! Now you have a basic understanding of local SEO.<\/p>\n You can update your Google Business Profile information at any time. That means you\u2019re always in control of how your business hours, phone number, and other attributes appear online \u2014 which helps potential customers get in touch with you via the most recent contact information.<\/p>\n Besides serving as a central place of information for search engines and Google Maps, you can also use your Google Business Profile as a bulletin board of sorts. You can make a post to share key business information, like unexpected closures or temporary business hour changes \u2014\u00a0or provide some details on your services. Posts are part of your profile, visible to anyone who looks you up in Search or on Maps.<\/p>\n Source: <\/em>Google Maps<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Reviews are a key element of social proof<\/a> and a meaningful way to build trust and credibility online.<\/p>\n Even if searchers aren\u2019t clicking through to read the content of your reviews, the 1-5 star rating prominently visible beneath each business result does impact their likelihood of checking you out.<\/p>\n Worried you can\u2019t keep up a string of solid 5-star reviews? Don\u2019t sweat it. Google sees a mixture of positive and negative reviews as being more authentic<\/a> and trustworthy, and ranks you better because of it.<\/p>\n You need a Google account to use Google Business Profile, so go ahead and create one<\/a> if you haven\u2019t already.<\/p>\n I recommend not using your personal Google account to set this up, as you may want to give others access to your Google Business Profile later and that\u2019s better to do from a dedicated work account (no one needs to see your weird Reddit notifications, okay?).<\/p>\n Once you\u2019re signed in, Google Business Profile asks you for your business name. Enter one and click Continue<\/strong>.<\/p>\n You can sign up for Google Business Profile as long as you either sell directly to customers online, have a physical location, or provide a service in-person to your customers. You can select all options that apply to you.<\/p>\n Click Next<\/strong> when you\u2019re done.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re an online-only business, Google asks for your website.<\/p>\n For both online and offline businesses, you\u2019ll need to enter the country you\u2019re registered in. This may or may not also be the country where your location is.<\/p>\n If you have a physical location, you\u2019ll enter that instead (with the ability to add your website URL and more information later). You may also be asked to position a marker for the location on a map for accuracy. If your business does not have a location customers can visit but offers in-person services or deliveries, you can list your service areas. Then click Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you didn\u2019t enter a physical address, Google will ask you to specify which region you\u2019re based in. Choose from the drop-down menu and click Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n You can add either a website, phone number, or both. These are publicly viewable on your profile.<\/p>\n Even if you don\u2019t have a physical business location, you need to enter a mailing address to become verified.<\/p>\n After that, you can choose to receive a verification code via email or the exciting option of recording a short video showing you working in your business and basically proving that you have a business. I\u2019m not sure why anyone would choose that over a simple email code but sure, more power to ya.<\/p>\n I chose the email code. Wait for it to arrive, enter it, and click Verify<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Becoming verified allows you to publicly reply to customer reviews, use messaging features, and more.<\/p>\n Now, add all the extra details that will get the most out of your profile. All of these are optional, but if they apply to you, be sure to fill it out.<\/p>\n You can add:<\/p>\n There are many more ways to optimize your Google My Business profile than the options you get in the setup screen. The next section covers everything else you should optimize.<\/p>\n Filling out your profile information isn\u2019t a fast track to the top of search results. But, completing your Google Business Profile makes it much more likely you\u2019ll stand out \u2014 2.7 times more likely<\/a> actually. Plus, people are 70% more likely to visit a business with a complete profile vs. an incomplete one.<\/p>\n Google determines local search ranking based on three factors<\/a>:<\/p>\n Some business types \u2014 restaurants, hotels, and services \u2014 have access to special features, like:<\/p>\n In addition to those specific examples, there are a range of other types of buttons<\/a> most businesses can use, including appointment booking, reservation links, and online ordering.<\/p>\n You can also add attribute \u201clabels\u201d to your listing to communicate key information about your business, like if you are open by appointment only. Or, to ensure everyone feels welcome. For example, you may want to share information about wheelchair accessibility, free Wi-Fi, or outdoor seating. You can even share that your company is women owned and\/or 2SLGBTQI+ friendly.<\/p>\n To edit these labels, visit your dashboard and click Edit profile<\/strong>. Scroll down to the More<\/strong> section to find these attributes.<\/p>\n Photos help generate interest and catch people\u2019s eye in search results. For physical locations, this is easy: take some great photos of your business in operation.<\/p>\n Not great at photography? Hire a professional to do a photo shoot and use those amazing images across your social media profiles, including Google Business Profile, and on your website. Or run a contest by giving away a gift card or product in exchange for your customers submitting their best photos.<\/p>\n According to Google, businesses with photos receive more requests<\/a> for directions and more clicks to their websites.<\/p>\n You can add a cover photo and additional images during the setup process:<\/p>\n Or add or edit photos anytime from your Google Business Profile dashboard<\/a>:<\/p>\n You can add a custom description up to 750 words which appears across Google services, including search and Maps. Use this space to showcase what\u2019s truly unique about your business rather than simply stating what you do.<\/p>\n Adding relevant keywords to your Google My Business profile increases the likelihood of people finding you. Not sure what keywords to include? Check out popular searches with Google Trends<\/a> and see if any apply to your business, or do things the \u201cnew Gen Z way\u201d with TikTok Keyword Search<\/a>.<\/p>\n A good place to start is with the keywords people are already using to find you. Snag these from Google Analytics<\/a> reports for free, or use Hootsuite Insights<\/a> and advanced social monitoring tools<\/a> to uncover even more terms people type in to find you.<\/p>\n The idea isn\u2019t to stuff your profile full of a bunch of keywords just for the sake of rankings. It\u2019s important to naturally weave them into your sentences. Keyword stuffing hasn\u2019t been cool since 1999 (and can actually hurt your rankings).<\/p>\n A good review can be the deciding factor that tips prospective customers in your favor.<\/p>\n Customers can review your business directly from your profile or Google Maps, but the most effective way to get more reviews is to share your review link. Add it to your email marketing templates, share it on social media, or create your own shortened link<\/a> to display on in-store signage.<\/p>\n To find your unique Google Reviews link:<\/p>\n Pro tip:<\/strong> Use a URL shortener<\/a> to turn this into an on-brand custom link that\u2019s easy to type, like \u201cwww.hootsuite.com\/review\u201d.<\/p>\n You can, and should, respond to all reviews, both positive and negative. According to research by Ipsos, customer reviews are still the most trusted information source<\/a> when it comes to evaluating a product or business.<\/p>\n For positive reviews, take the time to thank your customer for sharing their experience. For negative reviews, also thank your customer and address their issue in a tactful, honest way and try to offer a solution or fix, if warranted.<\/p>\n Afraid of troll reviews from fake people? Don\u2019t worry, you can report inappropriate or malicious reviews<\/a> and have them removed from your profile.<\/p>\n Find your current reviews under the Reviews<\/strong> tab (once you have at least one).<\/p>\n If you didn\u2019t already do so during setup, verify your business now. This is especially important if you have a physical location, since verified locations are more likely<\/a> to show in Google Maps searches.<\/p>\n Not sure if you\u2019re verified? Check your verification status.<\/a><\/p>\n Make sure to keep your Google Business Profile up to date. Edit your profile if your business hours change, you get a new phone number, etc. Nothing annoys a customer more than looking up your hours online, then making the trek to your location only to find that you\u2019re closed.<\/p>\n For things like operating hours, edit that directly in your profile. For temporary or special updates, create a post to go on your page instead.<\/p>\n To edit your hours or other profile information, click Edit profile<\/strong>.<\/p>\n To create a post to share in your Google Business Profile feed, click on Add update<\/strong>.<\/p>\n You can choose to add an update, offer, or event. Each post type has different attributes to help spread your message.<\/p>\n For this example, I chose Add update<\/strong>. You can add up to 1500 characters, one or more photos, and attach a call to action button.<\/p>\n Post something promotional like your new product launch, or use this space to communicate holiday hours (in addition to changing it on your profile!) or special parking instructions while construction is happening nearby.<\/p>\n Last but not least, if you sell physical products via your website, add those products to your Google Business Profile. In addition to appearing on your profile itself, your products can appear in Google Shopping, the most popular<\/a> price comparison portal in the United States.<\/p>\n Source: <\/em>IKEA Coquitlam on Google<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n To manually add products to your Google My Business profile, click on Edit products<\/strong> from your dashboard.<\/p>\n From here, a popup will appear where you can add your first product, including its title, category, price, description, URL, and a photo.<\/p>\n If you only sell a few products, it may be easiest to add them this way. But for anything more than a dozen or so items, there\u2019s an easier, automated way with the delightfully named Pointy<\/a> app.<\/p>\n You can either connect Pointy to your point-of-sale (POS) system or scan products with the Pointy scanner. Then your products will show up in Google search, Shopping, and on your Google Business Profile.<\/p>\n However, there are certain eligibility criteria<\/a> to use Pointy, including requiring UPC barcodes on your products.<\/p>\n Yep, you can update and manage your business profile on GMB in the same place you manage all your other social media accounts.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need to create and verify your Google Business Profile first before you can manage it inside Hootsuite.<\/p>\n Once you have your profile set up, install the free Google My Business app<\/a> from the Hootsuite app directory.<\/p>\n To finish installing, choose whether to create a new Streams board or add your Google Business Profile data to one of your existing Stream boards. Choose an option and click Add to Streams<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Next, go to the Streams<\/strong> tab in your Hootsuite dashboard.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t already see the three columns for Posts, Reviews, and Questions, use the Add a Stream<\/strong> box on the right and click to add them.<\/p>\nWhat is Google My Business (now Google Business Profile)?<\/span><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Inpost-CTA-Planner.png.webp\"\/)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t#1 Social Media Tool\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/p>\nThe 3 most important benefits of Google Business Profile<\/span><\/h2>\n
Get discovered in Google Search and Maps<\/h3>\n
![\"Thai](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-1-620x302.jpg?resize=620%2C302&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nManage your online business information<\/h3>\n
![\"Peak](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/word-image-445109-2-1-620x1103.png?resize=620%2C1103&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nBuild trust with Google Reviews<\/h3>\n
How to set up a Google My Business listing<\/span><\/h2>\n
Step 1: Log in to Google Business Profile<\/a><\/h3>\n
Step 2: Add your business information<\/h3>\n
![\"Get](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-2-620x355.jpg?resize=620%2C355&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nStep 3: Select your business type<\/h3>\n
![\"Choose](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-3-620x296.jpg?resize=620%2C296&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nStep 4: Enter your location and\/or location targeting<\/h3>\n
![\"Add](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-4-620x355.jpg?resize=620%2C355&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"Select](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-5-620x167.jpg?resize=620%2C167&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"Where](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/word-image-445109-7-620x439.png?resize=620%2C439&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/word-image-445109-8-1.png?resize=893%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nStep 5: Add contact information<\/h3>\n
![\"choose](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-6-620x356.jpg?resize=620%2C356&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nStep 6: Verify your business<\/h3>\n
![\"enter](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-7-620x458.jpg?resize=620%2C458&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"select](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-8-620x393.jpg?resize=620%2C393&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"enter](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-9-620x405.jpg?resize=620%2C405&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nStep 7: Optimize your profile<\/h3>\n
![\"customize](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-10-620x361.jpg?resize=620%2C361&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nHow to optimize your Google My Business profile<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
Use special attributes, if applicable<\/h3>\n
![\"Business](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-14-620x885.jpg?resize=620%2C885&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nAdd real images of your business<\/h3>\n
![\"Customize](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-12-620x381.jpg?resize=620%2C381&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"Add](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-13-620x457.jpg?resize=620%2C457&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nAdd a custom description<\/h3>\n
![\"Customize](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-11-620x353.jpg?resize=620%2C353&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nInclude keywords in your profile<\/h3>\n
Encourage and answer reviews<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"Ask](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-15-620x216.jpg?resize=620%2C216&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n
![\"Give](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-16-620x391.jpg?resize=620%2C391&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"Steve's](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-17-620x518.jpg?resize=620%2C518&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nVerify your street address<\/h3>\n
Regularly update your information<\/h3>\n
![\"Your](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-18-620x207.jpg?resize=620%2C207&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"add](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-19-620x331.jpg?resize=620%2C331&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"add](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-20-620x547.jpg?resize=620%2C547&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"Link](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-21-620x425.jpg?resize=620%2C425&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nImport your products<\/h3>\n
![\"Q&A](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/word-image-445109-25-620x867.png?resize=620%2C867&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"Your](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-23-620x209.jpg?resize=620%2C209&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"add](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-24-620x599.jpg?resize=620%2C599&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nHow to manage Google My Business with Hootsuite<\/span><\/h2>\n
Install the Google My Business app<\/h3>\n
![\"Google](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-25-620x313.jpg?resize=620%2C313&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nSetup your Google My Business Stream<\/h3>\n
![\"Welcome](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-26-620x341.jpg?resize=620%2C341&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"Google](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.hootsuite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-my-business-27-620x321.jpg?resize=620%2C321&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n