How to Set Up Google My Business

Originally published on May 2nd, 2019. Updated for April 13th, 2021.

You need to set-up a Google My Business page. It is absolutely essential if you want your business to appear on Google when people use the search engine. Your business will appear on Google Maps, Google Knowledge Graph, and Google Local Park, which will attract tons of customers and will make your business known. And yes – it’s totally free!

Setting up a Google My Business account is really easy, and only takes a few minutes! Here are some step-by-step instructions for setting up your account.

1. Create a Google My Business Listing

• On your computer, sign in to Google My Business.
• Sign in to your Google Account, or create one
  • Sign up with your business email domain since this account will be for your chain. Enter the name of your business or chain. If you have a chain, you can also select it from the suggestions that display as you type
• Enter your business’ or chain’s address
  • You may also be asked to position a marker on the location of your business or chain’s branch on a map. If your business doesn’t have a physical location but operates within a service area, you can list the area instead
• Choose how your business will display on Google Maps.
  • If you serve customers at your business address:
    • Enter your business address
    • If you also serve customers outside your business address, you’ll have the option to list your service areas as well
  • If you don’t serve customers at your business address:
    • Enter your business address
    • At the bottom, click “I deliver goods and services to my customers.”
    • List your service areas
• Search for and select a business category
• Enter a phone number or website URL, then click Finish
• Select a verification option. It’s recommended that you review your information before you request verification

2. Verify your Google My Business Account

• To verify now, at the top of the page, find the red banner and click Verify now
• To verify later, click Verify later and then click Later
• If you’re not authorized to manage the Business Profile for the chain, find the person in your organization who’s authorized and continue the process

Most people choose to verify their accounts by text or by email. However, some people need to verify multiple business accounts at the same time, in which case they would be able to “bulk verify.”

If you verify your account by phone:

• Make sure you have entered the correct phone number
• Check your texts to see the code that Google has sent you for verification
• Enter the code

If you verify your account by email:

• Make sure you have entered the correct email address for your business
• Check your email, and click the verification link Google will send you

If you are doing bulk verification:

• Click “chain” on your Google Business verification page
• Fill out all of the information regarding your business
• Submit the verification form

It can take Google up to a week to verify a bulk verification request.

Once you have your account verified, the hard part is over! Now, you can optimize your account, and add elements like pictures and a cover photo.

3. Optimize

Add plenty of information about your business when you set up your Google My Business page. Include information like your business hours, if your business is wheelchair accessible, if you have free WiFi, and also your website and business contact information. You want this page to be easy for your customers to access.

And that’s all there is to it! From time to time, you should update your account and add more pictures and any other relevant information that you think your customers should know. Google My Business is extremely helpful to all businesses, and truly will increase your customer base!

Into the Inbound with Technology Aloha