How to set up a Google My Business Page

Setting up a Google My Business page is an essential step for your small business. Not only is it an easy and free way to increase your online visibility, but it also plays an important role in boosting your ranking in Google search results. Setting up a page is easy and free. In this post I will cover how to set up a Google My Business page and explain why it’s so important for your small business. For other SEO tips for small business see my post on how to market your website for free.

Step 1: Sign up for Google My Business

The first step is to sign up for a Google My Business account. To do this, simply go to the Google My Business homepage and click on the “Manage Now” button. You will be prompted to enter your business name, address, and other details. Once you’ve entered all the required information, Google will verify your business through a postcard or phone call.

Step 2: Fill in Your Business Information

Once your business is verified, you can start filling in your business information. This includes your business hours, website URL, phone number, and any other relevant information that you want potential customers to know about your business. Make sure to fill out your profile completely, as this will help improve your search engine rankings.

Step 3: Add Photos and Videos

One of the most important parts of your Google My Business page is the photos and videos section. This is where you can showcase your products, services, and the overall atmosphere of your business. Make sure to add high-quality photos that accurately represent your business.

Step 4: Encourage Reviews

Reviews are one of the most important factors that Google takes into account when ranking businesses in local search results. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business page, and make sure to respond to them in a timely and professional manner. You can click on the ‘Get More Reviews’ button on your listing to get a quick link to send to your customers to enable them to leave a review for you easily.

Step 5: Display your Reviews

Once you have a few reviews you can display these on your WordPress website easily with the help of a plugin. There are lots to choose from and you can display them as a slider, grid, or just a badge showing your over rating. This adds credibility to your business as customers can see independent reviews provided for your business.

Step 6: Keep your profile up to Date

Once your profile is up and running, make sure to keep it up to date. Add new photos regularly, post about important events, news or services your business is providing and keep your opening hours up to date. This will help Google see you are an active business and increase your visibility online.

Why Google My Business is important for small business SEO

Now that you know how to set up a Google My Business page, let’s talk about why it’s so important for your small business’s SEO efforts.

Local SEO

By setting up a Google My Business page, you are increasing your chances of showing up in local search results. This means that when someone searches for a business like yours in their local area, your business will appear in the search results.

Increased Visibility

Having a Google My Business page also increases your online visibility. When someone searches for your business on Google, your Google My Business page will appear on the right-hand side of the search results, giving potential customers quick access to your business information.

Better Search Rankings

Google uses a variety of factors to determine which businesses appear at the top of local search results. By setting up a Google My Business page and optimizing it with accurate and detailed information, you are increasing your chances of ranking higher in search results.

Setting up a Google My Business page is an easy and free way to improve your small business’s online visibility and search engine rankings. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you’ll be well on your way to boosting your small business’s SEO efforts.

About the Author

Bridget is the owner and founder of Bridget Designs

She is an experienced web designer, front end and WordPress developer, graphic designer and illustrator with a background in fine art and digital art.