How Do I Claim My Business On Google? 

Key takeaways:  

• Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free tool that enables businesses to manage their online presence across Google Search and Google Maps. 
• Google’s algorithm favors claimed, optimized, and well-maintained GBPs since its goal is to provide users with the most relevant information. 
• For a small business, local search engine optimization (SEO) is a foundation that helps you reach potential customers ready to purchase or hire a service. 

The United States ranks third in internet users worldwide, with 322 million users. A majority of them rely on Google, which boasts of an 86.06% search engine market share, to find services and products in their area. If they can’t find your business, you’re not reaching your target market.  

With local SEO, you can boost your search results. This is beneficial for small businesses like restaurants, retail shops, and home service providers that have limited budgets and a specific geographic area.   

This is where Google Business Profile comes in. We’ve created a detailed explanation of this online tool and why it’s an integral part of a local marketing strategy. Let’s dive in. 

What is Google Business Profile?

Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a free tool that enables businesses of all sizes to manage their online presence across Google Search and Google Maps. It’s a business listing platform from the said search engine.   

Its key features are as follows:

• Business information (such as name, address and location) 
• Customer interaction 
• Products and services  
• Booking and ordering  
• Business attributes 
• Reviews  

Here’s how many businesses like yours use it:

• To keep your business details current. List and update basic information, such as your business name, address, phone number, website, and operational hours.   
• To connect with customers. Post news and special deals, share pictures, and videos. You can also reply to customer reviews or inquiries about your business. 
• To show off what you sell. Through regular posts, you can showcase your products or services with descriptions, prices, and photos, giving customers a clear idea of what you offer. 
• To help customers take action. Depending on your type of business, customers can order food, book appointments, or request quotes directly through your profile. 
• To highlight what makes you special. You can add labels and tell customers what makes your company stand out. For instance, your restaurant can highlight plant-based options, a cozy dining experience, and fresh seafood. 

Why you need to claim your business on Google?

Claiming your GBP ensures you control how your business appears when potential or existing customers search for it online. By taking ownership, you can achieve the following:

• Increased visibility and local SEO  
• Provides important information at a glance   
• Builds trust and credibility   
• Facilitates customer engagement   
• Showcase your business (like social media for businesses)   
• Provides valuable insight   

Increased visibility and local SEO

Google’s algorithm favors claimed, optimized, and well-maintained listings since its goal is to provide users with the most relevant information. If your GBP has undergone these measures, it signals to Google that your business is reputable and active.  

According to Google’s official documentation, a GBP with a valid Google account and a valid business URL has a good chance of appearing in searches, especially for localized queries such as “restaurants near me.”  

The “regularly updated” aspect is a must. The algorithm doesn’t just check whether a profile is claimed. It also looks at the following activities:

• Responding to reviews. This shows that your business engages with your customers.  
• Adding new photos and videos. High-quality visuals tell a story and define your business’s identity. They tell users who you are, what your products and services are, and what they expect from your business establishment. 
• Making regular posts. Google favors local business listings that announce events, updates, and offers. This signals a dynamic and active business.  

Provides important information at a glance 

Your GBP is like an online storefront that shows customers the information they need: the website URL, physical location, contact information, and operating hours. This strategic display of key information lets them decide if your business meets their needs and requirements. If it does, they’ll likely visit your facility or contact you. 

Builds trust and credibility 

Positive customer reviews, coupled with the information above, demonstrate professionalism and legitimacy to potential customers. These reviews, when combined with responses to feedback, create effective social proof that influences customer decisions and affirms that you value customer input. 

Facilitates customer engagement 

A Google Business Profile helps your business engage with customers by establishing an active communication channel where you can communicate back and forth. It lets customers talk to you via direct message and make queries in a question-and-answer (Q&A) section. These features work together to turn your page into a lively place rather than  just a basic page with business hours and an address. 

Showcase your business  

You can treat Google Business Profile like a social media platform right on Google. You can use it to share updates and posts to keep your content fresh, just like you’d post them on other social channels. This allows you to highlight special offers and events that can strengthen your brand. You can also include call-to-action (CTA) buttons that encourage customers and drive results.  

You can also connect your social media accounts, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, to your Google Business Profile. This directs customers to your other channels, where they can engage with your content. 

Provides valuable insight   

A Google Business Profile acts as a data tracker that allows you to determine the performance of your local online presence. It shows how people find your business, whether they search for it directly or through keywords. You can also see what they do next, such as visiting your website, calling you, or getting directions to your location. This information helps you understand what customers want, improve your profile, and enhance your results. 

How do I add or claim my business on Google via computer? 

Claiming your GBP is a must if you want to unlock its features. The process involves the following:

1. Go to Google Business Profile  
2. Claim your business 
3. Verify your business 

The sooner you set up your profile, the faster you can attract nearby customers and grow your business.

Step 1: Go to Google Business Profile    

Go to the GBP website and click “Add your business to Google.” Add details about your business by following the on-screen instructions.   

Step 2: Claim your business 

There are instances when an unverified Business Profile for your business already exists. Here, simply claim the business profile. To do this, go to your computer and open Google or Google Maps and enter your business name and city in the search bar.  

To claim the profile, perform the following:

• Click “Own this business,” then “Manage now” on Google Search. 
• Click “Claim this business,” then “Manage now” on Google Maps 
• Click “I own or manage another business” to choose a different business.

Step 3: Verify your business

Google needs to confirm that your business is real and that you’re the owner, so they require verification. Depending on how you choose to verify, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to two weeks.

• Mail  
• Call or text  
• Email  
• Video recording  
• Google Search Console (GSC)

Let’s take a closer look at the verification methods.

• Mail. Google mails a postcard with a special code to your business address. This is the most popular option, but it can take up to two weeks to arrive. 
• Phone or text. Google sends a code to your business phone number via phone call or text. 
• Email. Google emails a verification link to your business email address. 
• Video. Google will require you to make a video showing your business location, signs, and proof that you own the business. 
• Google Search Console. You can verify your business profile immediately if you’ve already verified your website with GSC. 

How to tell if your Google Business Profile is verified 

Knowing your Google Business Profile is verified gives you complete control over your listing. A verified profile allows you to edit, access valuable insights, and respond to reviews. 

Here are simple ways to check your profile status:

• Check via the GBP dashboard 
• Refer to the Google Verification Status Checker 
• Look for Your Business on Google Search and Maps 

Check them out to see if you can use the full features of your GBP.

Check via the GBP dashboard 

Go to https://business.google.com/locations and log in using the Google account that you used for your profile setup, and visit your GBP dashboard. Once logged in, you’ll see your listed business locations. Check the “Status” column to see if your profile is verified; if it is, your business is already verified by Google.  

Alternatively, you can click on each business profile. If it’s verified, you’ll see a notification such as “Your Business is not visible to customers” together with a “Get Verified” button.

Refer to the Google Verification Status Checker 

Google offers a specific tool to check the status of Google Business Profiles. You can turn to this to confirm whether your profile requires verification, is pending, or is already verified. 

Look for your business on Google Search  

When you search for your business and city on Google, your account is verified if it appears and you can edit it directly. 

How to optimize your Google Business Profile 

Regardless of your business’s size, optimizing your GBP is important since it allows you to be a step ahead of the competition. This leads to more listing visitors, which increases the probability of customers checking your site, calling you, or visiting your store. 

An optimized GBP also helps your listing achieve a high position on Google Maps and in the Google Local Pack, a feature that directly displays your listing on the search engine results page (SERP). This enhances your chance of appearing in searches, which can translate into actual customers and repeat business. 

Below are ways to optimize your Google Business Profile.

• Upload high-quality photos 
• Write a keyword-rich description 
• Choose accurate categories 
• Add business hours and special hours 
• Encourage and respond to reviews

Don’t let your customers get ahead. Employ these steps and make a huge difference.

Upload high-quality photos 

When your listing appears in the local finder, Google looks for an image in your GBP to justify its inclusion in SERPs. Therefore, it’s best to have high-quality photos that appear alongside those searches. 

Make sure to employ these measures when uploading images:

• Choose a photo that works well in both horizontal and square formats. 
• Select an image where the main focus is in the upper portion rather than the lower half. 
• Pick a photo that can be zoomed in without messy backgrounds.  
• Make your cover photo 1024 x 576 pixels (recommended cover photo size) in JPG or PNG format for best results. 

Choose an accurate business category 

This enables customers to find you when they search for services like yours. You can choose one main category and add up to nine secondary categories if necessary. 

Indicate your service area 

This helps your business, especially if you don’t have a physical store. If you’re a contractor or a plumbing business owner, defining your service areas ensures your business appears in search results for the locations you serve, which helps you attract the right customers. 

Write a keyword-rich business description  

Your business description is a key opportunity to make an impression. Google allows you to write a summary of your business in up to 750 characters. Include keywords to highlight your unique selling points, and avoid using repeated keywords and promotional language. 

Focus on providing an engaging summary that convinces customers to learn more about your offer. 

Add business and special hours 

Indicating both operational hours and special schedules can improve customer experience thanks to the following:

• Prevents customer frustration. Clearly stating regular hours and changes for holidays or special occasions allows customers to feel confident when visiting your business. This can boost overall customer experience and pave the way for returning customers. 
• Builds trust and transparency. Showing the said information assures them that you’ll serve them in times they need to call or visit. Consequently, this builds trust and manages expectations 
• Get found when it matters. By indicating your business and special hours, you prompt Google to prioritize your profile during set periods. This allows you to reach customers actively looking for a business facility to visit. Make sure to change business hours if necessary. 
• Encourage and respond to reviews. Reviews are opportunities to showcase your business’s attributes. Positive ones should be appreciated, while negative ones should be treated as constructive responses that can be used to improve. This also leads to customer retention, which can lead to dialogues with potential customers. 

Beyond the business profile with Network Solutions’ Digital Marketing Services  

For a small business, local SEO is a foundation that helps you reach potential customers ready to purchase or hire a service in your local area. Leveraging this free tool from Google is a practical move that can boost your business’s reach and growth through reviews and engagement. 

If you’re ready to take your local SEO to the next level, consider Network Solutions’ Professional Digital Marketing Services. This ensures accurate and consistent business information management, strategic customer listing, and outstanding keyword optimization.  

Boost local visibility today and turn ordinary online searches into loyal customers.

Frequently asked questions