How To Add Your Business To Google Maps

What Is Your Google Business Profile (GBP)?

Google Business Profile  is a free tool from Google that lets you manage how your business shows up in Google Search and Google Maps. With a Business Profile, you can:

• Add your business to Google
• Add the location(s) for your business
• Add the hours for your business
• Add photos for your business
• Interact with customer reviews
• Understand how customers are getting to your business
• Add directions for your business

A Business Profile puts your business in front of nearby customers when they search on Google, and it lets you reply to their reviews. Setting up a Google Business Profile is how your business appears in Google Maps.

A complete, verified profile is also one of the first steps in local SEO (search engine optimization), because Google says businesses with complete and accurate info are more likely to show up in local search results.

How To Add Your Business To Google Maps?

Create a free Google Business Profile, enter your business name, address and category, then verify it, and your business can appear on Google Maps.

If you are wondering, “How to add business to Google?” Here are some steps that can not only help you list your business on Google but also verify the listing and optimize it for maximum visibility. Let’s take a look.

Do you need a Google account for your business?

Yes, the first thing you need is a Google account that you will use to manage your Google Business Profile listing. That same Google account will control your Business Profile dashboard and your business details in the future. You can have several Google accounts. Here’s an example:

(Image credit: WordStream)

Once you have created the account, you can simply log into this Google account and go over to Google.com/business. You will see several options here, and you have to choose the “start now” option in the top right-hand corner.

This will be the first step towards creating a listing for your business on Google Business Profile tool. This way, you will also be able to associate this newly created account with your business for the future.

What business details do you enter for Google Maps?

Enter your exact business name and the address of each location customers can visit, written the way you want them to appear on Google Maps.

The next step is to enter the right details for your business on the Google business dashboard. On this dashboard, you can set the business name for your brand, and you can also enter the Google Business Profile locations for different locations.

If you only operate from one location, you can easily enter the singular location into the address bar. However, if you have more than one location, you will have to make sure that you click on the box that says “multiple locations” and then set multiple addresses for your Google Business Profile locations. This way, you can handle all your franchises from a single account.

What if you deliver goods or services to customers?

Add a service area that lists the cities or postal codes you serve, and remove your street address if customers don’t visit you there.

While some businesses operate from a single location, other businesses go over to customers personally and deliver at their addresses. Therefore, if you also have a business that goes to customers’ locations and delivers them the goods, you need to check the box that says, “I deliver goods and services to my customers.”

You will also have the option to hide your address if you work from the comfort of your home and do not have an actual store. This way, customers will not be able to see your address, and they will only be able to see your business details, such as your services and goods. Moreover, if you decide to go with the hide my address option, only your region will be shown, and your exact address will only be visible to you.

The next thing you will have to select is your delivery area. If you only deliver in person within your region, city, or postcode, you will have the option to choose this option and make sure that your clients understand your delivery range.

If you also serve people in other cities, add each city or postal code to your service area. Google allows up to 20 service areas, and its help page says you can’t set a service area as a radius distance around your business.

How do you choose a business category?

Choose the most specific category that describes your main business, then add a phone number and website that customers can use to reach you.

Now that you have set up the business account, the next thing you need to do is to choose the appropriate business category for your business. You can choose from the following categories and much more:

• Infrastructure
• Technology
• Construction services
• It services
• Hardware services
• Much more

Once you have chosen the appropriate business category, the only thing left to do will be to add a proper business phone number and website, so that the customers can easily get in touch with you when they want.

You have to make sure that the website you are adding to your business is active and offers a contact us button so that the customers can get in touch with you. Moreover, it would be best if you also made sure that the phone number you are listing as your business phone number is not only active but is also monitored so that the customers do not have to wait for hours to contact your company. Otherwise, the customers will end up having a bad experience, and this will reflect poorly on your business listing on Google.

Once you have set up everything, Google will ask you to verify your business with the help of several methods.

How to Verify Your Google Business Profile Listing?

Sign in to your Business Profile, select Get verified, and use one of the verification methods Google offers you, such as phone or text, email, video, or a postcard.
Your business will not appear in Google Maps until you have verified your listing. Depending on your business, Google may offer these methods to verify your Business Profile:

• By postcard
• By phone
• By email
• Instant verification
• Bulk verification
• Let’s take a look at each method.

How do you verify a Google Business Profile by postcard?

Request a postcard to your business address, then sign in and enter the 5-digit code printed on it in your Business Profile.
Postcard verification is one of the oldest methods, though Google no longer offers it to every business. You can log into your Google account associated with your business and choose the business that you want to verify. There are a few things you need to make sure before choosing the verification method. You need to ensure that all the details associated with your business are correct, such as your business address and phone number.

Once you have finalized that the business address is correct, you can then choose the method to verify your business listing. You can choose the “postcard by mail” method for verification and verify your business address where you will receive the postcard.

Google says most postcard codes arrive within 14 days and expire after 30 days. Avoid editing your business details while you wait, so the code still matches your listing.

Once you receive the postcard, you can simply log in to your Google Business Profile listing, click on the “verify now” button, and enter the five-digit verification code that you received in your postcard. This is what that postcard will look like:

If the postcard never reaches you, you lose your postcard before you verify your business; you can simply request another code by clicking at the blue banner at the top of the screen. Moreover, you will have to request several postcards for different Google business sites. One postcard can only be used to verify one Google business site of your business.

How do you verify a Google Business Profile by phone?

If Google offers phone or text verification, choose it and enter the code Google sends to your business phone number, which can’t be an automated phone system.
Phone verification is another popular method, but Google only offers it to some businesses. Therefore, if you are among the chosen ones and your business is eligible for phone verification, you will see the option to verify by phone when you start the verification process.

Once you log in to your Google Business Profile listing account, you will have to choose the business you want to verify. If you see the option to verify by phone, you can simply click on the option, and Google will text you the verification code on your business phone number.

Once you have received the verification code, all you have to do is log into your Google Business Profile listing, click on verify now and provide the 5-digit code that you received via text. Your business will be verified.

How do you verify a Google Business Profile by email?

If Google offers email verification, open the verification email sent to the address shown on screen and follow its steps to confirm your business.
Email verification is also only available for some Google Business Profile listings. Therefore, if you see the option to verify by email, you can start the verification process using this option.

You will have to log in to your Google Business Profile listing and choose the business you want to verify with the help of an email. Once you click on this option, you will instantly receive a 5-digit code in your inbox. Go back to the Google Business Profile listing and click on verify now option. Enter the 5-digit code, and your business will be verified.

Can you verify a Google Business Profile instantly?

Sometimes, yes: Google says it may verify a profile instantly if you have already verified your website in Google Search Console.

Google search console allows you to easily manage your website’s performance and health when it comes to customer interaction and engagement. If your website is already verified in Google Search Console, you may be able to verify your Google Business Profile listing with a single click.

Sign in to your Google Business Profile listing with the same account that you have previously used for the Google search console. Click on the verify now button. That’s all.

How does bulk verification work for multiple locations?

If you manage 10 or more locations of the same business, you can request bulk verification instead of verifying each location one at a time.

Log in to your Google Business Profile listing and choose the “get verified” next to the business name. You will see the option to click on a chain button.

Once you click on this button, you will be requested to fill out a verification form that will require:

• Your business name
• Country name
• Contact names
• Contact phone number
• Business manager email
• The email address of your Google account manager

Once you submit this verification form, Google reviews your account details and contacts you if it needs more information. Bulk verification means you don’t have to verify every single location separately, because one form covers all of them. For example:

How Can You Optimize Your Google Business Profile Listing?

Keep every detail complete and accurate, add real photos, and reply to reviews, because Google ranks local results on relevance, distance and prominence.
Listing and verifying your business is only the start. Optimizing your Google Business Profile listing is part of local SEO, and it helps more of the right customers find you. Here’s how you can optimize your Google Business Profile listing.

How should you optimize Google Business Profile photos?

Upload clear, well-lit photos of your business in JPG or PNG format, ideally 720 by 720 pixels, and pick a strong cover photo.
Good photos show customers what to expect before they visit, and they help your listing stand out next to competitors.

Google recommends photos of 720 x 720 pixels, with a minimum of 250 x 250 pixels, saved as JPG or PNG files between 10 KB and 5 MB. Use sharp, professional photos rather than blurry or heavily filtered ones.

You also need to ensure that you choose the fitting cover photo for your Google Business Profile listing as this will show up front and center on your listing in the search results. This is the first picture that all customers will see, and you need to make sure that this is not only professional but is also a high-quality picture.

How should you handle Google reviews?

Ask every customer for an honest review and reply politely to the reviews you get, whether they are positive or negative.
Handling reviews has two parts: asking customers for reviews and replying to the reviews you already have. When customers visit your shop or business, ask them to leave an honest review on your Google Business Profile. Google’s review policy does not allow businesses to offer incentives for reviews or to selectively ask only happy customers. If there are already customer reviews on your profile, reply to them politely. For example:

Even if you receive any negative comments and reviews, you need to make sure that you do not lose your calm and deal with such issues in a professional manner. This will go to show that you care about your customers and their feedback.

Can you manage your Business Profile from your phone?

Yes, you manage your profile in the Google Maps app or in Google Search, because the separate Google My Business app was retired in 2022.
As a busy business owner, you may not have time to sit at a computer to update your listing. In the Google Maps app, tap Business, then Edit profile, to update your Business Profile from your phone.

From your phone you can:

• update all the details regarding your business;
• post photos and updates;
• see how customers find and interact with your profile.

How to Set Up Your Business on Google Maps?

Your business appears on Google Maps at the address in your Google Business Profile, and you can move the map pin if it sits in the wrong spot. To adjust the pin, open your profile, go to your business info, and drag the pin to the correct spot. The pin will show up on your listing, and customers will be able to get directions to that location.

The Bottom Line

Modern era businesses require modern era strategies. So make sure that you are not only using local SEO to improve your business’s visibility in front of customers, but are also keeping up with the latest tools for your business.

A complete Google Business Profile is one such tool, and it helps customers in your area find your business when they search Google for what you offer.

diib: Your Google Business Profile Growth Experts!

Follow the steps above to set up your business on Google Business Profile. With diib’s customized user dashboard, you’ll see the benefits of a platform that connects with your Google Business Profile. Here are some of the features that you’ll enjoy:

• Google Core Algorithm monitoring
• Google Business Profile monitoring of on-page statistics
• Link auditing
• Broken pages where you have backlinks (404 checker)
• Keyword, backlink, and indexing monitoring and tracking tools.

Click here for your free 60 second website scan or simply call 800-303-3510 to speak with a growth expert!