Having an online presence is crucial to raising awareness of your business and attracting new customers. And the first step to increasing your online visibility is to create a Google My Business listing. This listing will appear in local search results and on Google Maps, making it easier for users to find your business. In this blog, we'll explain step-by-step how to create your Google Business Profile. Follow these instructions carefully to get your business listed, optimize your online presence and attract more customers!
Create a Google Business Profile account
Starting from scratch
To get started, you'll need to create a Google My Business account. If you don't already have one, go to the dedicated Google site: https: //www.google.com/intl/fr_fr/business/. Click on "Create a listing". Log in to your Google account, or create one if you don't have one.
Then follow the form to fill in the main information about your business. Here are a few screenshots of the form you'll be asked to fill in when creating your Google My Business listing.
You'll be asked to enter all your company's details: address, telephone number, website, etc. You'll also be asked for your opening hours and coverage area. Finally, when the form is correctly completed, Google will ask you to validate your business. This can be done in several different ways:
- By phone or SMS using the number on your Google Business listing.
- By email.
- Video call.
- By video recording.
- By post to the address shown on your form.
In all cases, you'll be asked to provide your location, the establishment you're in, and proof that you manage the business.
Claim a Google Business Profile listing
In the same way as to create a Google My Business listing from scratch, you need to go to the dedicated page. Also click on connect and select the existing listing from the drop-down list. You will then be redirected to the specific page where you can request access.
Once you have completed the form that follows this access request, you will receive a reply from the current owner of the file. The current owner may choose to transfer ownership to you, or authorize you to manage the profile.
Access to the Google My Business dashboard
So now that you've successfully created your Google My Business account, it's time to access the dashboard. To do so, enter your business name in the search bar. If you're logged in with your Google account, you should see your business listing.
A whole range of elements are available to you! You can edit key data such as opening hours or contact information by clicking on "Edit listing". Easy access to reviews, messages, photos and statistics from your Google Business account.
You can also activate many services from the main panel:
- Add a news item about your establishment.
- Activate online booking from your Google Business Profile.
- Share a review form to get your first opinions from customers who have already visited your store.
- Create an ad via your Google Ads account.
- Create an offer to highlight your discounts or sale periods.
With your Google Business dashboard, you can easily promote your business. Take advantage of all the features of the most widely used search engine and develop your SEO to increase the number of customers visiting your store. Attract more customers.
Focus on basic information
Basic information is information that describes your business and your location. Up-to-date, relevant information enables Google to give you greater visibility to an audience interested in your offerings. It also shows that you're careful with information, and that you don't want to disappoint search engine users. All the more reason to increase your visibility. Let's start with some basic information!
The name of your Google My Business listing
Your name is the most important element in allowing you to stand out from the millions of establishment listings out there. To increase your natural referencing, your name can be enhanced with additional information. Here are a few techniques.
Company name + activity
This type of name gives Internet users more information. Such a catchphrase will more easily attract those who are looking for the services you offer, and who may not be familiar with your brand. This strategy involves choosing a name such as :
- Atelier des Trésors - Jewellery
- Dufresne - Jeweller
- Latitude Bijoux
Name + Location or address
With such a formulation, potential customers can choose the location according to its proximity to their location. This strategy pays off for groups with several stores. It avoids confusion and reinforces the strength of the location sheet in its coverage area. Here are a few examples:
- McDonalds - Paris Champs Elysées
- Mc Donalds - Arc de Triomphe
- McDonalds - Paris Louvre Rivoli
Your brand description
Your brand description tells us a little more about your business. It is added to your Business Profile and appears at the top of the page. This element can help Internet users unfamiliar with your brand to take a closer look.
Type of business
The type of your business is important and will define how Google and Google Maps display your establishment. It's therefore important to select the type or types that correspond exactly to what you do. There are three options, and you can select one or more of them:
- E-commerce: If you offer products via your website.
- Local store: If you want to showcase a physical store.
- Service provider: If you're travelling to your home.
The website linked to your Google Account
Add your website so that Google can easily direct your potential customers. You'll gain visibility and improve your website's SEO. Make sure you add the page that's most relevant to the search query. If you have more than one location listing, then direct your customers to the web page dedicated to that location.
You can skip this step. However, we strongly advise you to add a website. Don't have one? It's easy to create a site in just a few minutes! Creating a website or web page can help you convert more customers. They increase trust in your company and raise awareness of what you have to offer.
Activity category
Select your company's activity category. Make sure you select the category closest to what you offer. This will enable web users to meet your most specific needs. Categories can be used to display your listing when a user is looking for a particular service, without necessarily indicating a company. It also helps position your brand when a potential customer is looking for a competing company.
When creating your listing, you can only add one main category. Later, however, you'll be able to add additional categories.
Address and coverage area
Address and coverage area are very important. Indeed, a major part of natural searches involving local SEO are articulated in the following way: activity + location. Adding your store's location and coverage area will help index your brand and your store in these searches.
If you run several stores, it's important to create a Google My Business listing for each location. This allows you to build an effective mesh that will enable your web pages to occupy the space on the results page. Such a strategy is sure to increase your website traffic and the number of customers in your store.
Opening hours
Finally, let's talk about opening hours.
They are a staple of Google Business listings. Displaying precise, detailed opening hours, including weekend and public holiday times, is a must. This prevents your customers from making a trip for nothing, but not only! It also tells Google that you're providing accurate information. And it's in your interest to do so! Because Google will reduce the visibility of your listings if the information doesn't reflect reality: especially opening times.
The last word
The business listing is your company's showcase when it comes to local Google searches. Your listing is displayed automatically, taking up around 40% of the search results page. It's a significant display, and one that you shouldn't overlook if you want to increase your in-store visits and conversion rate.
