How to Set Up GBP for Clients Effectively

Setting up a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) for your clients is an important activity, as it forms their online visibility. By setting this up and optimizing it, they show up in a series of targeted searches on Google when people look for a type of business locally. Here we detail how to set up a GBP account effectively.

Create a Google Business Profile Account

Gather Required Information

Before proceeding, gather all the details from your client. These should include the business name, address, phone number, URL of the website, and hours of operation. This will make the setup quite easier and quicker.

Also, request images from your clients that best describe their business location, their products, or their team. Good-quality photos really give your profile a great look to which potential customers will be attracted.

Create Account

First, log in with your Google account or, if needed, set up an account. After having logged in, go to the Google Business Profile web page and click on the “Manage Now” button to initiate setup.

Enter the business name exactly as it appears offline. Consistency is key for search engine optimization. Then, follow the prompts to add the address, service area, and preferred communication methods.

Optimize the Business Profile

Add Detailed Business Information

Once the basic setup is complete, it’s time to fill in additional details. Adding accurate and comprehensive information helps build trust with potential customers and improves the profile’s performance in search results.

Add a brief business description describing what makes your client’s business unique.
Assign the appropriate categories that describe the type of business accurately. You can use a primary category and then add one or more secondary categories if this covers all services.
Update the hours of operation, including special hours for holidays or events

Enhance with Multimedia

Photo and video content can enhance the customer response. Add high-resolution photos of the exterior and interior of the business, pictures of staff members, and products. One short promotional video might be really brilliant in capturing attention.

Keyword tags will help people discover your photos. Update these images regularly with any changes in the business.

Verification Process

Choose Verification Method

Verification by Google is required for any business so that full functionality can take place with the profile. Several verification options are available:

• Postcard by mail: Google sends a postcard to the address, including a verification code to the business.
• Phone call or text: For some businesses, this is an option to receive the code via phone or message.
• Email: Sometimes, on occasion, email verification may be offered for certain types of businesses.

Choose the approach that works for your client. In most cases, postcard verification is very common and quite reliable.

Complete the Verification

Once you’ve received your verification code, sign back in to the Google Business Profile and complete verification with your code. Now you have complete ownership of the profile and can perform full management and optimization.

If there are any problems with the verification process, feel free to reach out to Google Support. They can walk you through steps tailored more specifically to your situation.

Managing Listings and Updates

Regular Updates

Keep the profile fresh; update the business hours, especially on holidays and special events. Respond to customers’ reviews promptly, showing engagement and concern about customer satisfaction.

Besides, regular updating of new products, services, or promotions keeps the audience well updated and interested in your establishment.

Analyze Performance

Google then gives insights into how customers interact with the business profile, including views, clicks, and queries that lead customers to it. This data should be utilized to understand the behavior of users and adjust the marketing strategy appropriately.

Have clients regularly review their profiles for improvements based on such metrics. If certain products have more views, for example, let them be highlighted more in posts and updates.

Encourage Positive Reviews

Reach out for Customer Feedback

Positive reviews are a social proof that helps bring in new customers. When they are satisfied, ask them immediately to leave a review on the business profile. You may send follow-up emails, thank-you notes, or even inform at the point of sale.

Make it as easy as possible for customers to find where to leave the review by providing direct links or a QR code that links directly to the review section of the Google Business Profile.

Respond to Reviews

Interact with customers through the review response. Responding to both positive and negative reviews helps prospective customers know that the business takes the feedback seriously and is committed to constant improvement.

Response to reviews should be courteous and professional. Provide solutions to problems mentioned and appreciation for positive remarks.

Why Consistency Matters

NAP Consistency

NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number. Having this information consistently on all online platforms, not just on the Google Business Profile, increases the effectiveness of local SEO.

Check for business information across the website, on social media, and other directories that businesses use. These should not be inconsistent with search engines or would mislead potential customers. This makes the process of visibility hard to achieve.

Regular Audit of Information

Periodically audit the business profile to ensure all information remains accurate. Businesses change, and little edits like updated contact numbers or new services should become live without too much lag.

This may be achieved by creating a quarterly or bi-annual schedule for these audits to easily keep the profile relevant and accurate.

Utilize Advanced Features

Explore Google Posts

Google Posts enables an enterprise to publish updates directly in their profiles. These could involve announcements, offers, events, or even blog-like entries. Posts would normally stay live for seven days, ensuring that fresh content is always seen.

Writing relevant keywords and high-quality images in Google Posts gives much more power to these posts. Encourage your clients to post regularly to keep their audience informed and engaged.

Leverage Q&A Section

The Questions and Answers section allows your potential customers to ask questions directly within Google Business Profile. A fast response to these questions shows one’s attentiveness and knowledge.

You can also add commonly asked questions and answers pre-emptively in this section, guiding the potential customer proactively and improving their experience with the profile.

Key Takeaways for Managing Client Profiles

Make Sure Information Is Thorough

Thoroughness from the start simplifies long-term management. Complete every available field with precise information. Utilize all the profile sections to accurately represent the business.

This comprehensive approach not only benefits local SEO but also establishes a strong foundation for ongoing engagement and updates.

Create a Checklist for Regular Upkeep

Creating a checklist for regular maintenance ensures everything that needs to be done is covered. This gives you an organized way to stay ahead in profile management.

The steps above can help in successfully setting up and managing a Google Business Profile for your clients, thereby helping them improve their online visibility to drive more business.