How Do I Set Up My Google My Business Page? [2022]

So you're going to set up your business on Google My Business, huh?

That's great! It shouldn't take long and is the first step in increasing online visibility for customers. To get started with GMB just follow these simple steps: 

1: Head to Google My Business’ Create Page

Google My Business is an easy way to manage your local business on the web and mobile app. Visit Google's 'create' page, search for ‘your name,' this step will help you quickly see whether or not there are already accounts in existence that share similar features as yours if unsure how do so!

You can either click onto the pop-up, which should now have appeared or use the ‘add your business to Google’ link.

2: Fill Out Your Business Name

Here's where you need to enter in your real-world business name. Make sure it doesn't include unnecessary keywords within the name (or your listing could get suspended!).

3: Choose the Category That Best Fits Your Business

Next, choose the best main category that represents your business. There can be a number of options, so select the best one!

If there are other categories that represent your business, no worries, we can add them in later.

>> Google My Business Categories List

4: Choose Whether or Not to Add a Location

Do you have a storefront for your business that people can visit? Select yes so you show up on Google Maps 😉

5: Add Your Address

Fill in your full address, using additional lines if needed, to make it easy for people to find your business.

6: Review Possible Listings

If a close match for your business has been found, you may be asked to confirm if the existing location is yours! If there are no profiles for your business found, select None of These.

7: Choose Whether or Not You Serve Users Outside of This Location

Do you travel to serve your customers (yes)? Or only serve your customers from a storefront (no)? Do you deliver or travel to work at their location (yes)?

8: Select the Areas That You Serve

If you selected ‘yes’ in the previous step, you will be able to choose the areas that you serve (you can add more than one).

9: Add Your Contact Information

Next, add your phone number and website URL.

10: Opt-in to Updates and Recommendations

Almost, done. Choose if you want to opt-in to get Google My Business updates and recommendations. You're call!

11: Finish and Manage Your Listing.

All done!? Just click finish and BOOM. You're GMB profile is all set up.

12: Verify Your Listing

There are a few options for verifying your listing (don't skip this step!) and you can verify with an automated phone call (recommended if you have access to the number you listed) or by a postcard (sent to the address you listed), which can take about a week.

We don't recommend verifying it later, as we won't be able to manage the account for your citations.

13: Say Hello to Your GMB Dashboard

Once you have verified your listing, you will now see your GMB dashboard and be able to complete your listing, including adding opening hours, photos, your logo, description, and more.

14. Add Industrial Marketing to Your Account for Management

1. On your computer, sign in to Business Profile Manager.
2. If you have multiple locations, open the location you'd like to manage.
3. In the menu on the left, click Users.
4. At the top right, click Invite new users Invite new users.
5. Enter: gmb@seoptiks.com
   Note: To add an agency to your location, you need to add the agency's location group ID here. (ID: 5496470764)
6. To select the user's role, click Choose a role and then Manager. This lets Industrial Marketing manage your profile while you.
7. Click Invite. Invitees will have the option to accept the invitation and immediately become users.

This page displays all active users and people who are invited to become users. To cancel pending invitations, click Remove in the row with the invitation you want to remove.

When an invitation is accepted, the owners of the profile are notified through email. All users in the account can find the names and email addresses of the owners and managers of the profile.

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FAQ

1. What to Do When Your Business’ Category Isn’t Available on GMB

   1. It’s recommended that you be as specific as possible when choosing how to categorize your business on GMB. That said, it’s not uncommon to find that there isn’t a category available within Google My Business that perfectly represents your business. Knowing that the primary category that you choose is given the most importance, you want to get it right.
      
      Currently, there are over 3,000 different options available, and you can find a full list of available categories here. 
      
      If you’re struggling to find a suitable way to categorize your business, it is recommended that you choose one that is broader than your current classification.
      
      As an example, let’s say you run a parcel forwarding company.
      
      You won’t find that as a category within GMB, but you would find ‘Shipping and Mailing Service’ which is a little less specific, yet still relevant, so choose this one.