Claiming, Managing, and Improving your Google My Business Profile

Google My Business is a free tool that allows small businesses to manage their online presence on Google. By claiming and optimizing your GMB listing, you can improve your visibility in local search results, attract new customers, and manage your online reputation. Having an up-to-date and complete GMB listing can also help customers find accurate information about your business, such as your hours of operation, location, and services offered. This can increase the likelihood of customers visiting or contacting your business. Claiming your GMB listing is also important because it allows you to control the information that appears on your listing and respond to customer reviews. Overall, maintaining and optimizing your GMB listing is crucial for small businesses looking to improve their online presence and reach potential customers through Google.

Claiming your GMB listing

1. Go to https://www.google.com/business/ and click on "Start now"
2. Sign in with your Google account
3. Enter your business name and address
4. If your business is already listed on Google, you will have the option to claim it. If it is not listed, you can add it by following the prompts
5. Google will send a postcard to your business address with a verification code. Enter the code to verify your business

Managing your GMB listing

1. Once you have claimed your GMB listing, you can access it by going to https://www.google.com/business/ and signing in with your Google account
2. From the dashboard, you can update your business information, such as your hours of operation, phone number, and website
3. You can also add photos of your business, products, or services to your listing. These photos will appear when people search for your business on Google
4. You can also manage and respond to customer reviews from the dashboard. It is important to respond to both positive and negative reviews in a timely and professional manner

Improving your GMB listing

1. One of the most important aspects of managing your GMB listing is ensuring that all of your information is accurate and up-to-date. This will help customers find your business and make informed decisions about whether to visit or purchase from you
2. Another important aspect is ensuring that your listing is complete. This includes adding photos, a detailed business description, and relevant categories and services
3. Encourage customers to leave reviews on your GMB listing. Positive reviews can help improve your visibility and reputation
4. Utilize Google Posts to share updates about your business, such as new products or services, sales or promotions, or events. These posts will appear in the Knowledge Panel when someone searches for your business
5. Use Google Insights to track how customers are interacting with your GMB listing. This includes data on views, clicks, and direction requests

By following these steps and regularly managing and updating your GMB listing, you can improve the online presence and visibility of your small business on Google.  

Reviews and Managing them

Managing reviews on Google My Business (GMB) is an important part of maintaining a positive online reputation for your small business. By responding to both positive and negative reviews in a timely and professional manner, you can show customers that you value their feedback and are committed to providing a high-quality experience. In addition, positive reviews can help improve your visibility and credibility on Google, potentially leading to more customers. However, managing reviews across multiple platforms can be time-consuming and overwhelming. To streamline the process, consider using a tool like The SMBHub Reputation Management software. This software can help you manage your reviews on GMB as well as over 70 other platforms, saving you time and ensuring that you are able to respond to all of your reviews in a timely and effective manner. By prioritizing review management, you can help your business grow and build trust with your customers.  

What to do next

In conclusion, managing and optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) listing is crucial for small businesses looking to improve their online presence and reach potential customers through Google. By following the steps and tips outlined in this guide, you can increase your visibility in local search results, attract new customers, and manage your online reputation. To make the process even easier, consider using a tool like The SMBHub listing builder to manage your listings for your business. This tool can help you save time and ensure that all of your listings are accurate and up-to-date across multiple platforms, including Google My Business. By taking advantage of these resources, you can effectively reach and engage with your target audience online.