Visit Scotland | Alba

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Google Business Profile is a free tool that lets you manage how your business appears across Google Search and Maps. It not only lets potential customers know the physical location of your business. A Google Business Profile listing will also increase your visibility online.

When customers search for your business on Google, information shows in a box. This appears in their search results, known as a Knowledge Graph. It includes your business name, location, business hours and customer reviews.

This article will explain the benefits of Google Business Profile and how to create an account.

 

In this section:

  1. Why you need a Google Business Profile account
  2. Creating a Google Business Profile account
  3. Optimising your Google Business Profile

1. Why you need a Google Business Profile account

Getting started with Google Business Profile is straightforward, but you may be wondering why you need this service. 

  • Provide all information

    It might sound obvious, but it’s important to fill in all the information Google asks for. This includes the area you serve, your hours, a public phone number and URL. But also any other information such as free Wi-Fi, or wheelchair accessibility. Not only will this provide your customers with any information they might need, it will also stop others from making edits on your page. Anyone can suggest an edit to a business listing, so you’ll want to make sure that you, the owner, have everything correct. Check in to your dashboard regularly to ensure that no one has suggested any unwanted edits.

  • Add photos and video

    Great imagery can help your profile stand out in the search engine results pages, so make sure to add a few different pictures. According to Google, businesses with photos receive 35% more clicks through to their website than those without.

    Read the full report.

    Remember to add a logo to help customers recognise your business. A cover photo can show your personality as a business, and any additional photos can put the spotlight on your products or services. You can also add short videos to your profile.

  • Photo guidelines

    Your photos will look best on Google, if they meet the following standards:

    • Format: JPG or PNG

    • Size: Between 10 KB and 5 MB

    • Minimum resolution: 720 pixels tall, 720 pixels wide

    • Quality: The photo should be in focus, well lit, and have no significant alterations or excessive use of filters

  • Video guidelines

    Make sure your videos meet the following requirements:

    • Duration: Up to 30 seconds long

    • File size: Up to 100 MB

    • Resolution: 720 pixels or higher

  • Reply to reviews

    One of the best ways to keep your Google Business Profile listing optimised and up-to-date, is to reply to customer reviews. When you respond to reviews, you show existing and potential customers that you value their business. Reviews appear publicly, so remember to be professional and courteous.

  • Google Business Profile app

    To ensure your Google Business Profile profile is working for you, it’s a good idea to download the Google Business Profile app. This gives you the ability to update your information and pictures as well as respond to reviews via your mobile device.

    The app's Knowledge Graph helps you regular insights. Think of people who find you through Maps and Search, those who have phoned, or those who got directions or visited your website. It also highlights the number of unresponded reviews that you can reply to directly from the app.

    Check out more info on getting started with Google Business Profile.

2. Creating a Google Business Profile account

Setting up your Google Business Profile account is free, quick and easy. Navigate to the Google Business Profile homepage and sign in with your Google account. After you created your account, you'll need to verify it.

How to create your business on Google

Create your account in four easy steps:

  1. 1

    Add your business name

    Don't worry if there are other kinds of businesses with the same name. You can specify your type of business later on.

  2. 2

    Enter your business address

    This way, people know where to find you.

  3. 3

    Choose your business category

    This tells Google which type of customers should be seeing your business listing.

  4. 4

    Add your business phone number and website

    This way, people know how to contact you.

How to verify your business on Google

Verify your business to make it visible for customers. Verification lets Google know that your business info is accurate and that only you, the business owner, has access to the listing. It also allows you to manage your business info in Search, Maps and other Google properties.

  1. 1

    By post

    Sign in and choose the business you want to verify. Make sure the business address is right and add a contact name. When you are ready, click "Mail", and your postcard should arrive within five days. Once the postcard has arrived, log back in to Google Business Profile and enter the five-digit verification code.

  2. 2

    By phone

    Some businesses are eligible to verify by phone. You’ll know that you’re eligible if you see the "Verify by phone" option when you begin the process. You will receive your verification code via text.

  3. 3

    By website

    Just like the phone option, some businesses may be able to verify by email. If you are eligible, you will see the "verify by email" button. Once you have requested verification, you'll receive an email in your inbox. Click the button within this email and you are ready to go.

Check out these guidelines for more info on representing your business on Google.

3. Optimising your Google Business Profile profile

Once you have created and verified your Google Business Profile profile, it’s important to make sure that you are making the most of it. This means adding as much relevant info as you can, including pictures and video. Please use the following tips to optimise your Google Business Profile listing:

  • Provide all information

    It might sound obvious, but it’s important to fill in all the information Google asks for. This includes the area you serve, your hours, a public phone number and URL. But also any other information such as free Wi-Fi, or wheelchair accessibility. Not only will this provide your customers with any information they might need, it will also stop others from making edits on your page. Anyone can suggest an edit to a business listing, so you’ll want to make sure that you, the owner, have everything correct. Check in to your dashboard regularly to ensure that no one has suggested any unwanted edits.

  • Add photos and video

    Great imagery can help your profile stand out in the search engine results pages, so make sure to add a few different pictures. According to Google, businesses with photos receive 35% more clicks through to their website than those without.

    Read the full report.

    Remember to add a logo to help customers recognise your business. A cover photo can show your personality as a business, and any additional photos can put the spotlight on your products or services. You can also add short videos to your profile.

  • Video guidelines

    Make sure your videos meet the following requirements:

    • Duration: Up to 30 seconds long

    • File size: Up to 100 MB

    • Resolution: 720 pixels or higher

  • Reply to reviews

    One of the best ways to keep your Google Business Profile listing optimised and up-to-date, is to reply to customer reviews. When you respond to reviews, you show existing and potential customers that you value their business. Reviews appear publicly, so remember to be professional and courteous.

  • Google Business Profile app

    To ensure your Google Business Profile profile is working for you, it’s a good idea to download the Google Business Profile app. This gives you the ability to update your information and pictures as well as respond to reviews via your mobile device.

    The app's Knowledge Graph helps you regular insights. Think of people who find you through Maps and Search, those who have phoned, or those who got directions or visited your website. It also highlights the number of unresponded reviews that you can reply to directly from the app.

    Check out more info on getting started with Google Business Profile.

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