How To Create And Verify
Your Google My Business Listing
TYLER HEAL
If you have a store or business that covers a particular service area, verifying your Google My Business account will help your business reach more customers in the local area.
Why Create A Google My Business Account?
Customers can find, learn more about, and contact you online if you have a Google My Business account.
You should also consider setting up a Google My Business account for customer convenience.
What do you need to create a Google My Business account and verify your business?
If you have the following items, creating a Google My Business Account and verifying your business is easy.
- Google Account
- Your business profile (aka Google Maps listing that appears in the local results of a Google search)
- Google My Business account.
How to create and verify your Google My Business account
Step 1 - Create a Google Account For Your Business
We recommend that you use the Google email used to claim your listing for your business to ensure everything is in order.
Make sure you select "Manage My Business" when creating your Google account. Click the "Create Account” button on the Google sign in screen as shown in this picture:
After selecting this option follow the prompts for setting up your business account.
Step 2 - Register Your Google My Business Listing
Being signed in under the Google Account for your business, navigate to google.com/business. You should see the following screen once you have logged in to your Google Account.
Click the "Manage Now” button. After clicking it, you'll be asked for basic information about your company, such as name, website, address and phone number. If you don't have a website we offer website design services.
Step 3 - Make sure your business listing is online
An individual business listing can exist without the need to be claimed by someone with a Google My Business account. This is problematic because business owners don't have any control over the information Google provides until they claim the listing.
To locate your business listing, simply search the name of your business. (if you see an address show up it's likely you already have a listing and should move on to step 4.)
If an address doesn't show up
If the address does not appear next to your business name it is likely that there is no listing for it. Follow these steps to add a location:
Sign back into Google My Business
Click Manage Locations
Select a location group
Click on Add Location
Input the necessary information about your business
Follow the prompts to create a brand new listing
Step 4 - Register To Claim Your Business Profile
However, creating a Google My Business Account does not automatically link to your business listing. You will need to claim your listing to connect your account with your business profile.
Search for your query
Google allows you to search for the name of your business and its location. You will see the panel with your business information (Business Listing) on the right-hand side. Find the "Manage this Listing" option within the listing and choose it.
Once you have selected the option, you'll be taken to a screen with a "Manage Now" button. Follow the prompts to claim and register your business.
Maps Request
Go to google.com/maps and type in your business name. Click on your business profile to click the "Claim this Business" option.
Once you have selected the option, a popup window will open with a button that says "Manage Now". Follow the prompts to claim and register your business.
Step 5 - Verify Business Ownership
You will be asked to verify your ownership of the business listing by clicking the "Manage Now" button.
Depending on your business, and if you are signed in to Google My Business you might be verified immediately and have access to the listing.
Google will issue a verification code to you if you have not created a business profile. Google will send you the verification code via email, phone or postal mail, depending on your business.
After you have received the verification code, enter it into Google My Business. Then, your Business Profile will be available to you!
Google My Business is changing the way customers find your business and interact with it. Optimizing your business listing with local SEO is a great way to reach your target audience and attract new customers.