How to verify google business account

The Ultimate Guide to Google My Business

Written by Aja Frost @ajavuu

What is Google My Business?

GMB is a free tool that lets you manage how your business appears on Google Search and Maps. That includes adding your business name, location, and hours; monitoring and replying to customer reviews; adding photos; learning where and how people are searching for you, and more.

To learn how to create your Google My Business account, verify your business, and make its listing as strong as possible, read on.

Is Google My Business free?

Create a Google My Business Listing

How to Verify Your Business on Google

There are several ways to verify your GMB listing:

Postcard Verification

If your postcard never shows up, or you lose it, you can request a new code by signing into Google My Business and clicking the «Request another code» blue banner at the top of the screen.

Phone verification

Google lets some businesses verify their location by phone. If you’re eligible, you’ll see the «Verify by phone» option when you start the verification process.

Email verification

Google lets some businesses verify their location by phone. If you’re eligible, you’ll see the «Verify by email» option when you start the verification process.

Instant verification

If you’ve already verified your business with Google Search Console (a free tool that lets you manage your website’s search performance and health), you might be able to instantly verify your email.

Bulk verification

How to Optimize Your GMB Listing

Once you’ve verified your business, it’s time to finish fleshing out your profile.

Go to the Google My Business dashboard, click the listing you’d like to work on, select «Info,» and then choose a section to fill out or update.

Add as much information and media as you can, including a business profile photo, the area you serve, your hours, attributes (e.g. «wheelchair accessible,» «free wifi»), the day and year you opened, and a public phone number and website URL.

Anyone can «suggest an edit» to your listing, so it’s important to A) get everything right the first time (so you don’t encourage random people to make their own changes) and B) periodically log into your GMB dashboard and make sure all the details look right.

At any point in time, you can edit your business profile by logging into your GMB dashboard, clicking on «Info,» clicking the pencil next to the field you’d like to edit, making your change, and then choosing «Apply.»

Google My Business Photos

According to Google, businesses with photos see 35% more clicks to their website and 42% higher requests for driving directions in Google Maps.

Photos should be at least 720 pixels wide by 720 pixels high and JPG or PNG files.

Cover photo

Your Google My Business cover photo is one of the most important, as it shows up front and center on your listing.

Profile photo

Your profile photo is what appears when you upload new photos, videos, or review responses.

Along with your profile and cover photos, you can and should upload other pictures to make your listing more informative and engaging.

Google My Business Videos

You can also add videos. Videos must be:

Google My Business Reviews

One of the best ways to encourage future customers to leave positive reviews? Respond to current ones. Not only does leaving an appreciate response show the original reviewer you’re thankful for their support, it also makes that positive review stand out on your listing and influences people to leave their own reviews.

Here’s a sample reply to a satisfied customer:

Google My Business App

Google My Business is also available in app form for both iOS and Android.

You can use the app to:

You cannot use the app to:

Google My Business vs. Google Places for Business vs. Google+

If you’re confused about the many names and options for managing your Google presence, you’ve got a right to be. Google Places used to be Google’s tool for owners to manage their business profiles, but it was retired in 2014. Now Google My Business is the central hub to manage how your business appears on Google Search, Maps, and Google+.

A Google+ account for your business lets you interact with niche groups and post pictures and updates. In other words, it’s like a Facebook page for your business. You can access your Google+ account from your Google My Business dashboard (but a Google+ account isn’t necessary to have a GMB account).

Do you need a Google My Business account? If you’re targeting local customers, I highly recommend it.

Originally published Apr 27, 2018 6:30:00 AM, updated April 26 2018