Did you know that when people see a complete profile on Google Search and Maps they are 50% more likely to buy something?

I don’t know about you but to me, that a really good reason to setup your profile. And besides that… It’s FREE! ?

What is a Google My Business Account?

You can create and manage a listing for your business on Google. Among the services that Google offers, Google My Business is a great way for your company to appear in searches and get seen by more potential customers. It doesn’t take long to set up and it can definitely make it easier for potential clients to find you.

Why Do You Need an Account?

Your Google My Business account makes it easy for potential customers to discover, familiarize, and contact your business online. You want to set up an account because:

• You need a Google My Business account to respond to your Google reviews, which is a mandatory section of the Business Profile. These reviews affect your Google ranking and they can influence why a consumer may buy from you, so being able to manage them is a necessity.
• It all comes back to SEO again. Google ranks Business Profiles according to their quality, but a Business Profile alone is not enough. But a Google Business Profile managed through a Google Business account can be optimized to rank above your competitors for relevant keyword searches.
• Your listing can link to your website, so this is a great way to get more traffic to your website.
• If your listing provides all of the information a potential customer needs to make a decision, they might forego your website and contact/visit your business directly.
• Increases your visibility on a platform whose users have the intent to buy because you show up for searches applicable to your business and location.
• If you don’t have a Google My Business account, you won’t have control over the information displayed in your Business Profile, consumers are less likely to use a local business after finding incorrect information online.
• Having no profile or an incomplete profile can affect the trust that a potential client has for your business. They are more likely to click on the profile of a competitor that includes all the information and that looks like it’s been updated recently.

Optimize your profile because an optimized Google business listing gets 7x more visits than an incomplete one.

What Should I Include in My Account?

To begin with, you’ll literally need to put your business on the map. Search for your business and if you don’t find a match already, you’ll need to add it yourself. A form will appear asking for all the details on your business and you fill this in to the best of your ability. Once you submit the form, you’ll be asked to confirm that this is indeed your business. Clicking “continue” will create your page.

Google will also ask you to verify that your business information is accurate and you’re the business owner. You’ll be asked to receive verification either by phone, mail or email. But in some cases, only the mail option is given (which has been the case with every account I’ve set up in SK so far). The postcard verification will likely arrive within about a week. But you can continue setting up your profile without immediate verification. You won’t have access to insights or reviews until the verification is complete.

Important details to include:

• Profile Photo: Include your company logo so customers can easily and quickly identify you.
• Other Photos: These images can be used to upload your best work that will appear when your business is found in search. Try to include at least three.
• Phone Number: Include your phone number for customers to find easily on the web.
• Website: If a customer is looking for more information, your website will be their next stop.
• Hours of Operation: Let customers know when you’re available.

Include any extra information that will help potential customers find you within their search. You can update holiday hours and create a short introduction to show why you’re the best fit for the them.

Now that you’ve see the many benefits of a Google My Business listing, do you understand why you can’t afford to not have one as a local business? Create your listing and keep it updated as much as possible. Or if you need help setting up your listing, we can help.

If you need any help creating or optimizing you Google Your Business account – let’s chat. We would love to hear from you - please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..