How to Set Up Google My Business Effectively (Step-by-Step)

Google-Map-Business-Label

If you haven’t had your business registered on Google Map, you should keep reading.

Today, I will show you step-by-step regarding how to list your business on Google Map.

Bonus, I am also going to highlight a few Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tweaks that you should know in order to improve your local business presence on the internet.

Steps:

  1. Sign into Gmail Account & Visit Google My Business Website
  2. Name your Business with this Formula
  3. Make sure you have an Address
  4. Google Business matching
  5. Google Business exact location on the map
  6. Choose your Business Category
  7. Google Business contact details
  8. Finish and Verify your Business

1. Sign into Gmail Account & visit Google My Business Website

how-to-register-Google-My-Business

First, visit the website Google My Business. Click on the “START NOW” button to get started.

Make sure that you are signing into the correct Gmail account of your Company before you click on the “START NOW” button.

2. Name your Business With This Formula

Name-of-Google-Business

Next, Google will ask for your business name. This is the very first step and this is also where lots of company failed in naming their business.

The best formula is to name it this way: “Company Name” “Product/Services” – “Location”

For example, Casey Hair Saloon Kuala Lumpur

The reason is obvious, who want to tell people about your Company Name and also the product/services that they are searching for on the internet.

The naming of the “Location” part is kind of important if you are in the service industry because people will definitely type in something like “plumber in Bukit Bintang” rather than just a general term “plumber”.

However, based on Google recommendation, you should only fill in your business name on the blank and there should be no marketing taglines, services or product, location or containment information. This is subjective because one could include these when naming your business or company. If you check through Google Map, you will find that the naming that I recommend is not penalized and for SEO reason, they actually give your customers the best info, and thus most of the listings are ranking on the top positions.

3. Make Sure you Have An Address

Location-Google-Business

You will require to have an address in order to be featured on Google Map. Fill in the Country/Region, Street address, Village/Township, Postal code, City and State accurately.

If you are providing goods or service delivery to your customers, make sure you check on the box that states “I deliver goods and services to my customers.” Then you will be able to further pick the locations that you will deliver to.

4. Google Business Matching

Google Business name matching

To avoid duplicating business listing on Google Map, Google will display a list of businesses that look similar (or Google thinks that it is similar) to your business that you are creating.

If you find your business on the list, open Google Map and check the business details on the map. If the business described is yours, select the business and Google will allow you to improve your listing.

However, for most of the cases, especially when your business is new, nothing will match your business, and you should select “This doesn’t match” option.

5. Google Business Exact Location on the Map

Google Business Location on the Map

This step is particularly important, make sure you have a sense of “map knowledge” before you proceed. You might want to ask someone to guide you if you don’t really know how to read a map.

If your address is correct and understood by Google, a red marker will be automatically placed on the exact spot/location on the map.

However, in some cases, especially when your area is not well indexed in Google Map, you will need to zoom into the map, find your exact location, and drag the red marker to the exact spot where your business is located on the map.

This step is very important because Google will forward all traffic and direct them to the exact location spot on the map (even if your address is unknown).

6. Choose your Business Categories

Google Business category

Google suggests using as few categories as possible to describe your overall core business from the provided list.

This is to avoid any misleading or confusing information and make sure that your business listing is as accurate as possible.

I suggest you include all related services in your Business Category to help describe your business better, however, make sure that these are the services that you provide and do not attempt to put in any category that is not related.

7. Google Business Contact Details

Google Business Contact details phone and website

Next, insert your company or business phone number (not your personal phone number). This will be displayed on Google Business listing for your customers.

Make sure you include the website URL too. If you do not have a website, why not create one with Skeneur. We have the best Web Design Malaysia package in the country. We offer the cheapest, most complete, beautiful, and ready to rank on Google website for you, check it out!

If you are not ready to create a website, make sure you put in the Facebook Page URL into the “website” blank. Check out how you can create a Facebook Page here.

8. Finish and Verify your Business

finish and verify Google Business Listing

Last but not least, finish and verify your business listing.

verify Google Business listing by Postcard

A postcard will be sent to your business address within 14 days. You will find the verification code and instructions on the postcard from Google.

Have you listed your Business on Google?

Let me know if you have further questions related to Google Business listing in the comment section below.

Simon K.
Simon K.

Founder of Skeneur. He has vast experience in the field of Digital Marketing & Search Engine Optimization (SEO). He loves to talk about business strategies and helps business owners with their digital marketing campaigns and web designing needs.

2 Comments

  1. This is a very good basic way to set up a Google Map for a business. However, how can we make sure when someone type keywords related to a specific niche, the website will be showing up on the Google Map? Is there any secret method to instantly showing up?

    • I believe, if your company is the only one that exists in the region for a certain service or business, Google will automatically place you at the top. Thus, tips #1. BE THE FIRST

      Secondly, as always, you are probably not the only one that wants to rank to the top in Google Map. In this case, the only way to feature your business above the rest will require more effort. You need to prove that you are the best among your competitors. Thus, tips #2. BE THE BEST

      I will probably write an article on how to BE THE BEST among your competitors (that guarantees top ranking in Google) when I have time.

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