How To Set Up Your Google Business Profile For The First Time
If you have never claimed your Google Business Profile, then follow these 8 steps to quickly create your profile listing.
Step 1) Visit the Google Business Profile Website
To set up your Google Business Profile listing go to this link: https://www.google.com/intl/en_au/business/
Step 2) Take over management of the Business Profile
Click the manage now button (outlined below) which will take you to the claiming process of your GBP.
![GBP manage now](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GBP-manage-now.png)
![GBP manage now](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GBP-manage-now.png)
Step 3) Enter your business name
Google may have your business in its index already or you may have to set it up brand new. This step lets you find out which path to follow. There are 3 things Google looks at in terms of your business's identity in its local ecosystem.
Business Name
Business Address
Business Phone Number
Ensure you get the spelling of your business name right. Do not try to push any "keywords" into your name to game the search engines. Keep your name exactly on brand that the market knows you for.
![Picture of entering business name for Google Business Profile Sign Up](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/picture-of-entering-business-name-for-Google-My-Business-Sign-up.png)
![Picture of entering business name for Google Business Profile Sign Up](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/picture-of-entering-business-name-for-Google-My-Business-Sign-up.png)
Step 4) Choose A Business Category
![entering a business category on GBP](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/entering-a-business-category-on-GMB.png)
![entering a business category on GBP](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/entering-a-business-category-on-GMB.png)
Categories describe your business and help you reach your target audience.
Choose a category that best describes your business and be specific.
So if you are a restaurant specialising in pizza, choose a “pizza restaurant” as your category.Some example of business categories include:
- Accounting School
- Acupuncturist
- Air Conditioning Contractor
- Air Conditioning Store
- Fencing School
- Advertising agency
- Car Dealer
- Cattle Farm
- Electrical Repair Shop
- Fish & Chips Restaurant
- Health Club
- Fish Spa
- Fruit and Vegetable Store
- Flower Delivery
- Liquor Store
- Vegan Restaurant
- Pizza Delivery
- Pizza Takeaway
Step 5) Choose Your Business Type
Choosing the business type is straight forward. Stay honest and best represent what your business actually does!
![options to choose business type on GBP](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/How-to-choose-business-type-on-GMB.png)
![options to choose business type on GBP](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/How-to-choose-business-type-on-GMB.png)
Step 6) Enter your business address
This is the second critical part of the information to get right.
While this is simple, from an SEO perspective this is one of the most critical parts of the listing.
Make sure you get your address exactly correct the way it will be displayed on your website as well as any other profiles or citations around the Internet for consistency.
![entering your business address into your Google Business Profile](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/entering-your-business-address.png)
![entering your business address into your Google Business Profile](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/entering-your-business-address.png)
Step 7) Enter your contact details
The last one of the 3 critical things to keep consistent in your Google Business Profile set up is the phone number.
Ensure the phone number is the same as the one you'll display on your website and other profiles across the Internet.
![entering contact details on GBP](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/entering-contact-details-on-GMB.png)
![entering contact details on GBP](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/entering-contact-details-on-GMB.png)
Step 8) Put Your Business On The Map
Once you have added all the information, you may have to wait a few days to get a post or a phone call to verify your identity. When you receive your code, enter it into your profile and your profile will be activated.
But that’s not enough, you need to optimise it to be discovered by your customers and improve brand engagement.
![send a GBP listing live](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Sending-a-GMB-listing-live.png)
![send a GBP listing live](https://www.websitesthatsell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Sending-a-GMB-listing-live.png)
Next Steps
Using Google Business Profile is free and will complement your marketing efforts.
However, in 2024, the marketplace has become more competitive than ever before.
The next step is to optimise & grow your business profile.
If you'd like help with this next step you can learn more about our local SEO services here.