Google My Business: How your company is found

Author Kurt Schauer

You can easily advertise for free on Google. How? With “Google My Business”.

What is the advantage of Google My Business?

You've probably used the service yourself before. Google My Business is a wonderful addition to your website, but it's also perfect for those who don't have a website yet.

For example, let's say you are a bar owner and are logged into Google My Business and someone is searching for nearby bars and pubs via Google Maps.

In this case, a red arrow points to the respective bars in the vicinity - but of course only to those that are also registered and registered on Google My Business. What is particularly helpful is that Google provides additional information about your bar, such as your opening hours, your website or your telephone number.

Since TripAdvisor and Co., most users often “google” bars, restaurants, products and services before they actually decide to spend money on them – Google My Business is also very helpful here, because you can upload and maintain the content that is displayed on your profile yourself.

Your customers can also rate you with stars, which will also be displayed in the search results. Positive experiences speak for themselves.

You can upload additional information to your Google My Business profile, such as your logo, photos of the food and premises, your drinks and menu and much more. Google Maps also recently offers the option to "explore" the area - this shows the user various categories such as "Top breakfast spots", "takeaway", "coffee & snacks", "dinner" and "Drinks".

Here again, the rating and comment function plays an elementary role, because the Google My Business suggestions are sorted hierarchically according to rating.

It is also practical, of course, that all the information on the Google My Business Page is automatically included in Google's organic search results, so it is also shown to customers who are specifically looking for your business.

How can you register with Google My Business?

The only requirement for a Google My Business account is a Google Account – a Gmail address. Once you have created this, simply click step by step through the Registration.

For your free entry for Google My Business, you need the following information:

A short description of your company.
Your phone number, Address, Website, Opening hours and further contact informationthat you want to make known.
A logo or imagethat represents your business (for example, a picture of your office, store or restaurant).

Once you have created your profile, Google will send you a postcard with a verification code in the following weeks. This is Google's way of trying to prevent fake entries.

If you provide a phone number, this must also be confirmed with a short call. Once the verification is complete, your free advertising will be displayed on Google.