How to Set up your Google Business Page

Step 1:  Start by going to google.com/business
Be sure to bookmark this address in your internet browser, you will need it to access your Google Business Profile listing in the future. 

Step 2:  Log in with your Google account
If you don’t have a Google account, visit google.com/accounts. You’ll be able to create a free account with any email address. I usually set up a dedicated "gmail" account just for Google. 

Step 3: Enter your business name
Be sure you spell your name correctly, sounds like a stupid thing that you just wouldnt do, but its really easy to do if you are rushing, I have seen lots of businesses with misspelled names or words on their Google Business Profile.

  I also suggest that you use a Title Case Style (where you capitalise the first letter of each word.) This is the first impression for a customer, and you want to make sure it’s a positive experience. Do not over capitialise as Google will see this as falsification on your listing. 

Step 4: Enter your business address
This screen is where you’ll enter your business address, so Google can verify that your business exists. This cannot be a post office box or mailbox in a storefront. It has to be a physical location from where your business trades from. Should google decide audit your verification, you will need to give them proof that your business is registered to your address. You can also only have one business per residence.

Step 5: Choose whether you’re a storefront or a service provider
Here’s where you choose whether you want customers to visit your storefront or if you work from home or would prefer your customers don’t visit your office; you can choose a mile radius around your business, a specific city or state, or a group of zip codes. 

Step 6:  Choose your Primary business category
Choosing your primary category is very important because it dictates where and when you will show up on Google searches. Google is all about relevance, so if a potential customer searches for “hypnotherapist” but you've set your relevant category to "hypnosis service" If the customer searches “near me” or for “Best hypnotherapist near me,” then you’d have a much better chance of your business profile showing up in the search results. 

Step 7: Add your phone number and website
Both phone calls and website clicks are tracked by Google Business Profile, so make sure your information is correct here. The website will need to be verified by Google, so it is best to ensure that your website has been live for a while within Google, your domain is secure (SSL certified)  and that no suspicious links are back linked to your website (your web developer will be able to check all this for you). 

Step 8: Verify your local listing 
According to Google, to manage your business information in Search, Maps, and other Google properties, you must verify your business listing. The verification process helps Google make sure your business information is accurate and that only you, the business owner or manager, have access to it. This will be done usually via a text message, phone call or email to the details used when setting up your profile. Remember to ensure that the email address is relevant to your website domain name or you may have to verify via another method.