As the day goes by, more and more persons are now beginning to realise the importance of having their business listed on the Google my business platform. It is estimated that 1 out of 2 persons who searches for any local business (say, plumbers near me), end up visiting a local shop that day. That is 50% of all actions. So, if your business is not added to any local directory, you are truly missing out a lot. We will show you how to add my business to Google My Business platform.

So, what is Google my business? Google My Business is a free tool that lets you manage how your business appears on Google Search and Maps. That includes adding your business name, location, and hours; monitoring and replying to customer reviews; adding photos; learning where and how people are searching for you, and more.

Also See: How To Register A Business on Google Maps

Setting up your business in Google My Business is the way to go if you really want to set up local SEO. While it’s important to have other online business strategies, it is also very vital to not overlook this very important SEO strategy. So let’s see how to add my business to Google my business account. Shall we?

How To Add My Business To Google My Business Account

You can do this on the web and on the app. Let’s show you how to do both.

On PC (Web)

1. Go to google.com/business and click Start now at the top right corner.
2. Sign in to your Google Account, or create one if you don’t already use Google services.
3. Enter the name of your business and click Next.
4. 
5. Enter the street address of your business and click Next. You may also be asked to position a marker for the location of your business on a map.
   1. If you manage a service-area business, follow these extra steps:
      1. Check the box for I deliver goods and services to my customers. Optionally, check the box for Hide my address (it’s not a store) Only show region –.
      2. Click Next.
      3. Select a delivery area option and click Next.
6. 
7. Use the search field to select a business category and click Next.
8. Enter a phone number or website URL for your business, then click Next.
   Note: You’ll also have the option to create a free website based on your information.
9. To complete sign-up and verify your connection to this business, click Continue.
10. Select a verification option:
    1. To verify at another time, select Try a different method and click Later. If you’re not authorized to manage the business, find the person in your organization who’s authorized and continue the process.

Note: If you see a page that says “This listing has already been claimed,” click Request access and follow the directions to claim your business.

Also See: Top Free US Business Directories To List Your Business

On Mobile (Google My Business App)

So, you can also do the following using the Google My Business mobile app.

1. Open the Google My Business app.
2. Sign in with the Google Account you’d like to use to manage your business.If this is your first time adding a business to Google, sign in with the Google Account you’d like to use to manage your business and tap Continue.
   • If you’ve added a business before, tap More, then tap the name of your business to reveal a list of all listings in your account. Scroll to the bottom of the page and choose + Create new business.
3. If you see a dialog letting you know that someone else has verified the business, follow these steps below.
4. Enter your business name and information and agree to the Terms of Service. Tap Continue when you’re ready to create a listing for your business.

How To Claim your Business

Maybe, someone else has already included your business before you know. You can claim your business as the owner.

1. Open the Google My Business app.
2. Search for your business.
3. Open the business information panel, then scroll down and tap Claim this business .

Also See: How To Submit Your Site For Free SEO Ranking

How To Verify Your Business

So, after you have gone ahead to Add My Business To Google My Business (Google Map). The next is to verify your business listing. Here is how to do that.

There are several ways to verify your GMB listing:

1. By postcard
2. By phone
3. Instant verification
4. By email
5. Bulk verification

Postcard Verification

• Sign into your Google My Business account. Choose the business you want to verify.
• Make sure your business address is correct. Optional: Add a contact name — that’s who the postcard will be addressed to.

• Click “Mail.” The postcard should reach you in five days — make sure you don’t edit your business name, address, or category (or request a new code) before it comes, because this could delay the process.
• Once you’ve gotten the postcard, log into Google My Business. If you have more than one business location, select the location you want to verify. If you only have one, select “Verify now.”
• In the Code field, enter the five-digit verification code on your postcard. Click “Submit.”

If your postcard never shows up, or you lose it, you can request a new code by signing into Google My Business and clicking the “Request another code” blue banner at the top of the screen.

Phone verification

Google lets some businesses verify their location by phone. If you’re eligible, you’ll see the “Verify by phone” option when you start the verification process.

1. If you aren’t already logged into Google My Business, sign in now and choose the business you want to verify.
2. Make sure your phone number is correct, then choose “Verify by phone.”
3. Enter the verification code from the text you receive.

Email verification

Google lets some businesses verify their location by phone. So, if you’re eligible, you’ll see the “Verify by email” option when you start the verification process.

1. If you aren’t already logged into Google My Business, sign in now and choose the business you want to verify. (If you’re already logged in, you’ll be at the verification step.)
2. Make sure your email address is correct, then choose “Verify by email.”
3. Go to your inbox, open the email from Google My Business, and click the verification button in the email.

Instant verification

If you’ve already verified your business with Google Search Console (a free tool that lets you manage your website’s search performance and health), you might be able to instantly verify your email.

1. Sign into Google My Business with the same account you used to verify your business with Google Search Console. (Some business categories aren’t eligible for instant verification, so if you don’t get a notification asking you to verify the listing, you’ll have to use a different verification method.)

Also See: Top Best Online Business Directories In Nigeria Today

Bulk verification

If you operate more than 10 locations for the same business — and you’re not a service business or an agency managing locations for multiple businesses — you might be eligible for bulk verification.

1. If you aren’t already logged into Google My Business, sign in now and choose a location. Click “Get verified” next to its name.
2. Click “Chain.”
3. Fill out the verification form with your business name (as well as the parent company, if applicable), country or countries where you operate, all contact names (i.e. everyone who will be using the Google My Business account), contact phone number, business manager email (someone at the business who can verify you’re a representative of that business), and the email address of your Google Account Manager.
4. Submit the verification form. It can take up to a week for Google to review and process your claim.

By doing all the above, you’ve been able to Add My Business To Google My Business.

Conclusion

You have seen how to Add My Business To Google My Business, what you do from here is upto you. Take your business to the next level. Will you?