Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to make sure that your business information is accurate for users who search for you. It allows you to control how you appear on Google Search and Google Maps.

Here are the instructions for signing up.

  1. Getting started
  2. Requesting rights if someone else has already verified your listing
  3. Request access
  4. Double check your business information
  5. Verify your business
  6. Wait for your postcard
  7. Complete verification

 

1. Getting started

Go to google.co.uk/business and click Start now in the top right-hand corner of the page. Sign in to your Google account or create one if you don’t already use Google services.

You’ll see a map of your country with a form in the top left-hand corner. Enter your business name in the first field.

As you type, suggestions for possible matches will appear. If you can see your business, select it from the suggestions.

Complete the rest of the fields with your business information, then click Continue. You may see a potential matching business suggested to you. If this is your business, click it. If it’s not your business, click “Keep the information I entered”.

You’ll see an option to confirm that you’re authorised to manage the business. If you are, tick the box, then click Continue. If you are not authorised to manage the business, find the person in your organisation who is, then continue signing up.

2. Requesting rights if someone else has already verified your listing

Some businesses have already been verified by an owner or manager and have a Google My Business listing. The listing is owned by the person who verified the business.

 

Find advice on how to request access to your listing on the Google support forum.

 

3. Double check your business information

No matter what you see, double-check that your business information is correct. It’s crucial that when you verify your business information everything is ready to appear live to customers across Google.

If any of your information is incorrect:

  • Click Verify later.
  • If you manage more than one location, click Manage location for the location that you’d like to edit.
  • Click Info at the top of the page.
  • Click the section that you’d like to change and enter your business information.
  • When you’ve finished editing all of your business information, click Finished editing at the bottom of the page.

 

4. Verify your business

Verification helps ensure the accuracy of your business information across Google. Verified businesses are twice as likely to be considered reputable by users.

Verification also protects you from anyone who might otherwise pose as a representative of your business. Until you’ve completed verification, you won’t be able to edit the business information that appears on Google products.

For most businesses, verification means requesting, receiving and reading a verification postcard from Google. Some business owners may be able to verify through other methods like phone call, text, email or Google Search Console.

Find out how to go through the verification process for Google My Business.

 

5. Once verified

A few tips on what to do once you are verified:

  1. It may take a few weeks for your business information to appear across Google. Once your information is live, check out your listing.
  2. Visit your website as if you were a customer who found it on Google. Take this chance to spruce up your site or update any old information.
  3. Take pictures of your business and the products and services it provides, which will make great additions to your Google My Business listing.