A Step-by-Step Guide To Set Up Your Next GBP

In the digital era, a strong online presence is vital for local service-based businesses to thrive. Setting up a Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the most effective ways to boost your visibility and attract new customers.

At Rotate Digital, we leverage the power of organic SERP rankings, a robust website, and Google Business Profiles to optimize your results.

GBPs feature prominently in the search result map pack, where 70% of purchasing decisions occur, allowing customers to easily locate you, submit a quote request, and book your services.

Having partnered with over 200 moving companies, we have assisted our clients in extending their local service reach to nearby suburbs and cities through the creation of additional GBPs.

By concentrating on enhancing their market share and visibility, we help our clients dominate their local areas and achieve top 3 rankings in the map pack, surpassing their competitors.

Setting up a Google Business Profile is straightforward, but it demands careful attention to detail.

Follow this step-by-step guide to create your GBP correctly.

We also have a step by step guide on how to pick the right location and office space for your business in part 2.

This post is part 3, which provides a detailed, step-by-step process to ensure a successful setup and verification process, helping you expand your presence and attract more customers.

We have broken down the major topics around Google Business Profiles into a series of posts for you.

This is part 3; to find the other parts of the blog post, click the links below.

Step 1: Lock in Your Lease and Access Your Property

Ensure you have your lease agreement in place and physical access to your property. This is essential before you proceed to create your Google Business Profile.

Step 2: Visit the Google Business Profile Website

1. Go to the Google Business Profile website: Open your web browser and navigate to Google Business Profile.
2. Sign in with your Google account: If you have a Google account, sign in. If not, create a new Google account specifically for managing your GBP.

Step 3: Create a Dedicated Google Account

• Create a new Google account: If you don’t have one, set up a new Gmail account dedicated solely to managing your GBP. This helps in keeping your business information organized and secure.

Step 4: Navigate to the Business Profile Manager

1. Access Business Profile Manager: Once logged in, go to the Business Profile Manager.
2. Click on “Add a Single Business”: Begin the process of adding your business to Google.

Step 5: Enter Your Business Information

1. Business Name:
   • Enter your business name accurately.
   • Avoid including legal designations like LLC unless necessary. For example, use “BigLick Moving” instead of “BigLick Moving LLC”.
2. Business Category:
   • Select the most relevant category for your business. For instance, choose “Moving Company” if that is your business type.
   • Keeping your category specific and relevant helps Google accurately represent your business.

Step 6: Provide Your Business Address and Contact Information

1. Physical Address:
   • Enter a precise physical address for your business, including suite numbers or additional details as required.
   • If you operate as a service area business, specify the areas you serve instead.
2. Service Areas:
   • If you don’t have a physical storefront, list the cities or counties within a one to two-hour drive from your primary location.
   • Ensure these areas align with your operational range.
3. Phone Number and Website URL:
   • Enter your main business phone number and website URL.
   • Ensure this information is consistent with other online listings and your website.

Step 7: Verification

• Verify your business: Follow the prompts to verify your business. This may involve receiving a postcard by mail or another verification method specified by Google.

Step 8: Finalize Your Profile

• Complete your profile: Add any additional details, such as business hours, photos, and a business description.
• Publish your profile: Once all information is entered and verified, publish your profile to make it visible to potential customers.

Important Tips:

• Use separate Gmail accounts: For every new GBP you create, use separate Gmail accounts to avoid all your profiles being suspended if one gets flagged.
• Consistency: Ensure your business name, address, phone number, and website URL are consistent across all online platforms to build trust and improve credibility.

Step 1: Understand the Verification Methods

Google offers several methods to verify your GBP. Choose the one that best suits your setup:

1. Postcard Verification: Google sends a postcard with a verification code to your business address.
2. Phone Verification: Receive a verification code via phone call or SMS.
3. Email Verification: Receive a verification code via email.
4. Video Verification: A video call where you show your office or home office setup to a Google representative.

Step 2: Choose Your Verification Method

• Recommended Method: We recommend using video verification for the highest rate of success. It can be quicker if you have a well-prepared office or home office setup.

Step 3: Prepare for Video Verification

1. Office Setup:
   • Ensure your office or home office looks professional.
   • Clear signage: Make sure your business name is clearly visible on a sign or banner.
   • Tidy workspace: A clean and organized workspace helps in presenting a professional image.
2. Documentation:
   • Have all necessary documents ready, such as your business license, utility bills, or lease agreement that can confirm your business address.

Step 4: Follow Google’s Instructions for Verification

1. Postcard Verification:
   • Ensure your business address is accurate.
   • Wait for the postcard to arrive (typically within 1-2 weeks).
   • Enter the verification code in your Google Business Profile.
2. Phone/Email Verification:
   • Ensure your phone number or email address is correct.
   • Enter the verification code you receive via phone call, SMS, or email.
3. Video Verification:
   • Schedule a video call with Google.
   • During the call, show your workspace, clear signage, and any necessary documents.
   • Follow the representative’s instructions to complete the verification.

Step 5: Verification Timeline

• The verification process usually takes 1 to 5 business days. However, it can sometimes take longer.
• Be patient and ensure all your information and documentation are ready to minimize delays.

Step 6: Addressing Issues

• If any issues arise during the verification process, follow Google’s guidance to resolve them promptly.
• Ensure all information provided is accurate and up-to-date.

Example: Video Verification by Big Lick Moving

• Below is an example video of a company called Big Lick Moving, showcasing their verification process:
  1. The video shows their office with clear signage displaying the company name.
  2. The workspace is clean and well-organized.
  3. Necessary documents are readily available and shown during the video call.

Optimizing Your Google Business Profile

Once your GBP is verified, add your business hours to your profile. Ensure these hours are consistent with those listed on your website and other online directories.

Note, your business hours affect if your GBP shows up in Google Searches.

If a potential customer searches moving companies at 7pm and your GBPs hours end at 5pm, that potential customer will not see your GBP show up, instead they will see your competitors who have later hours.

So if possible, try to extend your hours when you can accept phone calls and take walk-ins, which can increase your lead volume. 

Next, upload high-quality photos that represent your business, such as pictures of your office, team, and services offered.

Then craft a compelling business description that highlights your services and value proposition. Include relevant keywords to improve your profile’s search engine optimization (SEO).

A well-written description helps potential customers understand what you offer and why they should choose your business.

Take advantage of Google’s additional features like posts, updates, and the Q&A section.

Regularly posting updates about your business, promotions, or events keeps your profile active and engaging.

Respond to customer questions promptly to build trust and demonstrate excellent customer service.

Post-Verification Steps

Actively monitor and manage customer reviews on your GBP.

Respond to both positive and negative reviews to show that you value customer feedback and are committed to providing excellent service.

Engaging with reviews helps build trust and encourages more customers to leave feedback.

Keep your GBP information current by regularly updating your business hours, services, and photos.

Accurate and up-to-date information helps maintain your profile’s credibility and ensures potential customers have the correct details about your business.

Use Google’s analytics tools paired with UTM parameters to track your GBP’s performance.

Monitor metrics like views, clicks, and customer actions to understand how your profile is performing.

Use this data to refine your strategy and improve your profile’s visibility and engagement over time.

For more information on what UTMs are and how to handle lead attribution properly, read our blog post on Leveraging UTM Codes. 

What’s Next?

Once you have followed this step by step guide and watched the videos for more clarity, you are ready to start getting some reviews!

Read our next blog post which gives you some tips and tricks on how to Grow GBP Review Quantity And Star Rating. 

If this content was helpful and you would like to learn more about us, do not hesitate to reach out!

We believe utilizing Google Business Profiles is a game-changer for local service-based businesses like yours.

If you would like to take advantage of the benefits of GBPs for your business we are here to help!

Having served over 200 moving businesses and deployed these techniques, we are the leading experts on leveraging organic SERPs, optimized websites, and GBPs working synergistically to maximize your businesses results.

If you would like to learn more about Rotate Digital and how we can help, reach out to us below!

We would be happy to assist you with some of the more challenging questions such as: How can I get the best return on investment for a new location?

How can I prepare for initial losses when starting up a location?

How do I choose where my next location should be?

How do I actually set up a GBP and get it verified?

This process worked for me once, how can I repeat it again and again to continue surpassing my revenue goals this next year?