The short answer: Google My Business is a free tool that lets you control how your business appears on Google Search and Google Maps. You claim your listing, fill in your name, address, phone number, opening hours, photos and website, verify that you own it, and then ask happy customers for reviews. It takes less than an hour to set up, and it helps nearby customers find you when they search on their phones.
Think about how you look for a restaurant, a pharmacy, a tailor or a clinic when you are out. You take out your phone, type what you need and the name of your area, and Google shows you a map with a few businesses on it. You call one or tap for directions.
If your business is not in that list, those customers never see you, however good you are. The good news is that being there is free. This article explains what Google My Business is, how to set it up step by step and how to get more customers from it.
What Is Google My Business?
Google My Business (often shortened to GMB) is a free service from Google. It lets business owners manage their information on Google Search and Google Maps: what the business is called, where it is, when it is open, how to contact it and what it looks like.
When someone searches for a local business, Google often shows a small group of three businesses beside a map, sometimes called the "local pack." Below that are the usual website results. Your listing is what appears in the local pack and on Google Maps.
Why Does It Matter?
- It is free. You pay nothing to be listed.
- Many searches are local. People search for things "near me" and for services in an area, especially on phones.
- It works even without a website. A listing can show your address, phone number and hours. A website adds more, as I explain in Why Your Business Needs a Responsive Website in 2016.
- Customers can reach you in one tap, by calling or asking for directions.
- Reviews and photos build trust before anyone visits.
- You can see how it performs. The dashboard shows how many people viewed your listing, called you or asked for directions.
How Does Google Decide Who to Show?
Google says that local results are based mainly on three things:
- Relevance: how well your listing matches what the person searched for.
- Distance: how close your business is to the location of the search.
- Prominence: how well known your business is, based on information from across the web, such as reviews and links.
You cannot change the distance, but you can improve the other two with a complete, accurate listing, good reviews and a website that supports it.
How to Set Up Your Listing, Step by Step
1. Check whether you are already listed
Search for your business name and your area on Google and Google Maps. Google may already have a listing created from public information, perhaps with wrong details. If so, you will usually see an option to claim it.
2. Sign in and add your business
Go to the Google My Business website and sign in with a Google account. Use an account that belongs to the business, not to a staff member who might leave. Search for your business and choose it, or add it as a new one.
3. Enter your details carefully
- Business name: use your real name, exactly as it appears on your signboard. Do not add extra keywords.
- Address: write it clearly. If customers do not visit you (for example, you deliver or go to their homes), you can set a service area instead.
- Phone number: use a number you answer.
- Website: add your address if you have one.
- Category: choose the category that best describes your main business. This affects when you are shown.
- Opening hours: include your weekly hours.
4. Set the map marker correctly
In Dhaka and other cities, many addresses are informal, so a street name alone may not help. Move the marker on the map to the exact spot, and mention a well-known nearby landmark in your description if it helps customers find you.
5. Verify your business
Google needs to check that you really own or manage the business. Depending on your business, it may offer verification by postcard, phone or email. A postcard contains a code that you enter in your account. Follow the instructions you are shown, and keep the code safe. Until you verify, your changes may not appear publicly.
6. Add photos
Photos make your listing far more attractive. Add:
- Your logo
- A cover photo
- The outside of your shop, so customers recognise it
- The inside of your shop or office
- Your products, food, work or team
Use real, clear photos, not stock images.
7. Write a short description
In a few sentences, say what you offer and what makes you different. Write for customers, not for search engines.
Reviews: Ask, Answer and Never Buy
Reviews are one of the strongest parts of a local listing.
- Ask satisfied customers to leave a review, in person, by message or on your receipts.
- Reply to every review, thanking people for good ones and answering bad ones calmly and politely. How you respond shows other customers what you are like.
- Never buy reviews or write them yourself. It breaks Google's rules, and it is easy to spot.
- Do not argue. If a review is false or abusive, you can report it to Google, but do not get into a public fight.
Keep Your Information Consistent
Your business name, address and phone number should be the same everywhere: on Google, on your Facebook page, on your website and on any directories. Differences confuse customers and search engines. If you also use a Facebook page, read Facebook Page or Website? What a Small Business in Bangladesh Really Needs, and make sure the two match.
Keep It Fresh
- Update your hours when they change, especially before holidays such as Eid.
- Add new photos from time to time.
- Check your listing every month for wrong information or new reviews.
- Look at the dashboard to see what customers do.
Common Mistakes
- Using a fake or shared address. It breaks Google's rules and may get your listing removed.
- Stuffing keywords into the business name. Use your real name.
- Creating duplicate listings. Claim the existing one instead.
- Choosing the wrong category.
- Leaving old hours, or a wrong phone number.
- Ignoring reviews.
- Using a personal email that you may lose access to.
A Quick Google My Business Checklist
- I searched for my business to see whether a listing already exists
- I claimed or created the listing with a business Google account
- My name, address, phone number and website are correct
- I chose the right category
- The map marker is in the exact place
- I entered my opening hours
- My listing is verified
- I added a logo, a cover photo and real photos
- I asked customers for reviews and I reply to them
- My details match my Facebook page and website
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a website to use Google My Business?
No. You can have a listing with your address, phone number, hours and photos without a website. A website helps because it gives customers more information, and it supports your listing.
How long does verification take?
It depends on the method. A postcard can take a couple of weeks to arrive, while other methods can be faster. Follow the instructions shown in your account, and use the code before it expires.
Does it cost anything?
No. Google My Business is free. Be careful of anyone who offers to "get you on Google Maps" for a fee. You can do it yourself.
Can I list more than one location?
Yes. Each shop or office needs its own accurate listing. Do not create listings for places where you do not really operate.
Why does my competitor appear above me?
Google considers relevance, distance and prominence. They may have more reviews, a more complete listing or be closer to the searcher. Complete your listing, collect honest reviews and keep your information accurate.
What if someone else created a listing for my business?
You can usually claim it, or ask for ownership if someone else has already claimed it. Follow the steps shown on the listing.
Need Help Getting Found Locally?
If you would like help setting up your listing or making your website support it, I can help. I design and develop websites for businesses, and I can explain every step in plain language. Send me a short message with your business name and location.
