Mastering Google Business Profiles: A Step-by-Step Guide to Claiming and Verifying Your Online Presence. Learn how to claim and verify your Google Business Profile (GBP) to attract new customers. Increase your online visibility, rank higher in local search results, and manage your online reputation effectively. 

What is a Google Business Profile (GBP)?

Google Business Profile (GBP), formerly known as Google My Business (GMB) is a free service that helps businesses reach customers through Google Search and Google Maps.  You can use it to provide information about your business, such as your name, address, phone number, website, hours, products, and services. You can also use it to interact with your customers, such as by posting updates, offers, photos, videos, reviews, and messages. A Google Business Profile can help you increase your online visibility, attract more customers, and improve your local SEO 

What are the benefits to my business of having a GBP?

Having a Google Business Profile can have many benefits for your business, such as:

• You can show up in Google Maps searches and boost your sales. Many people use Google Maps to find nearby businesses that offer the products or services they need. By creating a Google Business Profile, you can display your location, contact details, and directions on Google Maps and attract more customers to your business.

• You can become a part of Google’s 3-pack and rank higher in local search results. Google’s 3-pack is the top three results that appear when someone searches for a local business on Google. These results are based on factors such as relevance, distance, and prominence. By verifying and optimizing your Google Business Profile, you can increase your chances of appearing in the 3-pack and getting more clicks and calls from potential customers.

• You can manage your online reputation and interact with your customers. Reviews are one of the most important factors that influence customers’ decisions when choosing a business. By claiming and verifying your Google Business Profile, you can respond to reviews, questions, and messages from your customers and build trust and loyalty. You can also use Google My Business insights to monitor how your customers interact with your profile and improve your performance.

• You can showcase your products and services and inspire people with your content. By optimizing your Google Business Profile, you can provide as much information as possible about your business, such as your name, address, phone number, website, hours, products, and services. You can also post regular content on your profile, such as updates, offers, photos, videos, and more. This can help you showcase your expertise, personality, and value proposition to your customers.

How can I create and verify a Google Business Profile?

Here is a step-by-step procedure to claim and verify your Google Business Profile:

1. Sign in to Google: If you already have a Google account, sign in to it. If you don't have one, create a Google account using your business email address.

2. Go to Google Business Profile website: Open your web browser and go to the Google Business Profile website.

3. Search for Your Business: Use the search bar on the Google Business Profile homepage to find out if your business is already listed on Google. Enter your business name, address, or phone number to perform the search.

4. Select Your Business or Add It: If your business is listed, select it from the search results. If not, click on the "Add your business to Google" button and follow the prompts to create a new listing.

5. Confirm Basic Details: Once you've selected your business or created a new listing, confirm the basic details such as your business name, address, and phone number. Ensure that this information is accurate and matches your actual business details.

6. Verify Your Connection: If your business is already claimed by someone else, you won't be able to claim it immediately. In such cases, you may need to request access from the current owner or contact Google Business Profile support to resolve the issue.

7. Choose a Verification Method: Google requires you to verify your ownership of the business before you can claim your GBP. Select a verification method from the options provided. The most common methods are postcard verification, phone verification, and email verification although some business categories now require video verification. More on that later.

8. Provide Additional Information: Depending on the verification method you choose, you may need to provide additional information, such as your contact name, email address, or phone number for Google to send the verification code.

9. Wait for the Verification Code: If you chose postcard verification, Google will mail a postcard containing a unique verification code to the business address you provided. For phone verification, you'll receive a verification code via a phone call or SMS. For email verification, the code will be sent to the email address associated with your Google Business Profile account.

10. Enter the Verification Code: Once you receive the verification code, log in to your Google Business Profile account, and enter the code when prompted. This confirms your ownership and verifies your GBP.

11. Complete Your Profile: After successfully verifying your GBP, you'll gain access to your Google Business Profile dashboard. Take the time to complete your profile, adding photos, business hours, a description, and other relevant details to provide potential customers with accurate and helpful information.

By following these steps, you can claim and verify your Google Business Profile, ensuring that you have control over your business's online presence on Google.  Following these steps will give you an online local presence so when prospects search Google for local providers your business will be there.  

However, while claiming and verifying your business is a necessary first step, it is not enough to get the kind of results you want or expect.  The next step is to optimize your Google Business Profile to gain maximum exposure and results.  Click here to read our detailed tutorial on how to optimize your Google Business Profile, or just...  

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In mid-2023, the option to verify Google Business profiles by video recording became available for some listings. In most cases, it is the only verification method available. This verification method entails recording and uploading a video that shows your business's location, on-site equipment, and proof of management.  Here's more information:

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