By: Vanessa M.

March 24, 2023

in Local SEO

Updated July 6, 2022

If I Google your business name right now, what kind of information will I find? 

This might seem like a very simple question, but if you actually do this little exercise yourself, you might discover 2 things;

  • Your business cannot be found on Google search and maps meaning it isn't visible when customers search online.
  • The information you have out there is either incomplete, outdated, or not enough to convince your customers to want to engage further with you.

In this post, I'll show you how to set up your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) the right way.

But first let me explain why it's important to have your business listed on Google.

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Why your business needs to be on Google.

Let’s examine these 3 scenarios.

Scenario 1

Peter is a prospective customer in Abidjan looking to buy footwear made with African prints by Ivorian designers. 

The first thing he does is go on Google to search for businesses that sell such items near him. 

If your business name doesn’t appear on the first page of his search list, you are already losing him and other potential customers searching for the same products.


Remember, people rarely visit the second or third pages of the Google search page.

Scenario 2

Let’s say your business name does appear on his search page. Peter clicks to get more information about your products and how to purchase them, but he finds nothing.

No phone number to reach you on, no address to your physical store or link to your website where he can buy from.

If this happens, Peter will eventually leave your page and continue his search for another business he can buy from.

This also means that, you have lost Peter - a potential customer.

Scenario 3

Let's say Peter sees an address on your listing. He clicks on the 'Direction' button and begins to follow the instructions on the Google Maps to get to your store.

After a few minutes of driving around town, he realises that the address listed on your page is wrong, and since there is no other contact detail listed, he gives up the search.


Bummer! You've just lost a potential customer.

These are possible reasons why your business is losing customers online.

Such a scenario is likely to happen to you if you have not claimed and optimised your business profile on Google.

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it's that your business needs to be online and your customers need to be able to find and connect with you.

Having a social media page or a website isn’t enough anymore. You need to think one step ahead and ask yourself “how are people actually finding my business in the first place?”

You might have a website, but if people do not know you exist, how will they know what to search for in the first place?

If a customer is searching for a local business offering certain products or services, chances are that your business will likely come up on Google search and Google maps.

You might be asking, how do I get my business on Google?

Great questions. The first thing you need to do is to set up a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business).

What is Google Business Profile? 

Google Business Profile (Formerly Google My Business) (GBP/GBProfile for short), is a free and easy to use tool that helps local businesses manage how they appear online across Google search and maps.

As a business owner, there are several benefits to having and using your Google Business profile to enhance the visibility of your business online.

Since a large percentage of people use Google to conduct searches, it means a huge audience of potential customers can view and access your business profile online.

The more visible your business is online — or the more often your business shows up in search results — the better the chances are of drawing people’s attention to you.

Geography (i.e where your business is located) also plays a big role here as people want to find businesses that are close by.

"The more visible your business is online — or the more often your business shows up in Google search results — the better your chances of drawing people’s attention to you."

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How to set up your Google Business Profile the right way.

Step 1: Visit the Google Business Profile page

PS: You need to be signed into your Google account before setting this up. If you don’t have one, click here to create a new one.

Set Up Google Business Profile 1

Fig 1: The Google Business Profile sign up page.

Step 2: Add your business name & category

Type in your business name (label 1), select a category (label 2) that best suits your business, and then click next (label 3) to continue.

PS: Make sure that the name you use here is the same as the one listed on website, social media, and on other online directories.

Set Up Google Business Profile 2

Fig 2: Add your business name & category

Step 3: Add your business location

This next step will ask you if you wish to add an address to your business listing.

There are two categories of business owners who will be creating Google Business Profiles...

The first set are those who run virtual businesses i.e. they do not have a physical address for their business but operate from a particular service area.

The second set, are those who have a physical business address where their customers can visit.

  • If you do not have a physical address for your business, jump to 3.1 by clicking -> HERE
  • If you have a physical address for your business, jump to 3.2 by clicking -> HERE

3.1: Businesses without a physical location

If you do not have a physical location for your business, you will be required to provide a service area within which you operate.

By service area I mean an area where you are located and operate from. This is called a SAB (service area business).

Select 'No' (Label 2) as shown in the image below.

Set Up Google Business Profile 3

Fig 3

By selecting NO, you are informing 'Google' that you do not have a physical store/office where your customers can visit. 

By opting out of providing a business address, your business listing on Maps and search will be address-free. Instead, you’ll be asked to confirm the areas that your business operates.

3.1.1: Add your service area

Where do you operate from? Your home office, a rented workspace, etc. Type in the areas you cover in the space below and click next.

Set Up Google Business Profile 4

Fig 4: selecting your service areas

3.1.2: Add your contact details

Tell your customers how they can get in touch with you.

  • Include your business phone number (Label 1),
  • Add your web address (if you have one) (Label 2 ),
  • If you don't have a website you can opt out completely by clicking on (Label 3).

PS: These details will be displayed on your public listing so ensure you use a valid phone number.

Set Up Google Business Profile 5

Fig 5: Adding your contact details

3.1.3: Verify your new GMB account

When you arrive on this page, it means you are ready to verify your new GMB Account.

Due to challenges receiving the postcard in Africa, we will be using another method to verify your Google business profile.

Select 'Verify later' (Label 1) and then click next.

Set Up Google My Business Account -3-Verify Gmb Account

Fig 6: 

PS: This verification service is sponsored by Google and provided to you FREE of charge. Do not pay anyone to verify your Google My Business account.

Once you have selected the option to "Verify later" you will be presented with other options to optimise your profile. 

Follow the instructions that follow and select the best option that suits your business. Once you have completed all the steps above, continue to the final steps by clicking -> HERE.

3.2: Businesses with a physical location

If you have a physical address for your business, select 'Yes' (Label 1) and click next.

Set Up Google Business Profile 3

Fig 7: 

3.2.1: Add your business address

Fill in your address correctly to tell your customers where to find you.

PS: To avoid getting your account suspended or being asked to re-verify, ensure you put in the right business address when you are setting up your account. 

Set Up Google My Business Account - 3 Add Business Address

Fig 8

There are instances where your business might already have a Business Profile on Google Search or Maps. Google will provide you with a list of businesses it thinks might be yours.

If on the other hand, your business is not on that list, select 'None of these' (Label 1) and click next. 

PS: If your business name on that list (as shown below), it means you already have an existing business profile. Select it from the list to log into your profile.

Set Up Google My Business Account -3 Verify Business Name

Fig 9

3.2.2: Pin your position on the map

Click on the pin 📍 (Label 1) and drag it to the exact spot where your business is located on the map.

You can also zoom in and out by clicking on the + or - sign (Label 2) as shown below. 

Set Up Google My Business Account - 3 Pin Location

Fig 10

3.2.3: Add the service areas you cover

If you serve customers outside your office, i.e you visit them to offer your services (e.g. painter) or deliver your products to them, you can let them know where you are willing to go.

Set Up Google My Business Account - 3 Service Area

Fig 11

Click 'Yes' (Fig 11 - Label 1 above) if you do this and list out the service areas you cover as shown in fig 12 below, then click next.

Set Up Google Business Profile 4

Fig 12

If this does not relate to your kind of business, select 'No' (Fig 11 - Label 2 above), and click next.

3.2.4: Add your contact details

Tell customers how they can get in touch with you.

  • Include your business phone number (Label 1),
  • Add your web address (if you have one) (Label 2 ),
  • If you don't need a website you can opt out completely (Label 3).

PS: These details will be displayed on your public listing so ensure you’re putting a valid business number prospective customers can reach you on.

Set Up Google Business Profile 5

Fig 13

3.2.5: Verify your new GMB account

In order to fully manage and represent your business on Google, you'll need to verify it.

If you live in a country where the postcard system works, simply go ahead and request to receive a verification postcard by mail (Label 1 below.)

Due to challenges of receiving the postcard in Africa, we will be using another method to verify your Google business profile.

Select 'More option' (Label 2 above)

Set Up Google My Business Account - 3 Verify By Postcard

Fig 14

Select 'Verify later' (Label 1) and then click next.

Set Up Google My Business Account - 3 Verify By Ztallion

Fig 15

Once you have selected the option to "Verify later" you will be presented with other options to complete the set up of your business profile. 

Follow the instructions that follow and select the best option that suits your business. Once you have completed all the steps above, scroll down and continue to the final steps.

Final Steps:

1 - Join the GBP support community

The final and most important step is to join the GBP support community to ;

  • get updates on your verification status, 
  • get support from our team of GBP experts,
  • ask questions and learn how to manage your Google Business profile to avoid suspension.

Join the community here --> GBP Support Community

2 - Verify your Google My Business account

Once you have set up your GBProfile, the next step is to verify your business profile. Visit this page and follow the instructions given to -> verify your Google Business Profile.

How To Verify Your Google My Business Account Without A Postcard

Now it's your turn!

I've shown you know how to set up your Google Business Profile. Now it's your turn.

Give it a go!

In fact, do you have any questions after reading this article? If you need help figuring out how to select the best kind of business category, service area, etc....

Let me know in the comments below!


  • Hello Vanessa,

    Appreciative of the information shared, it was truly exhaustive. I have had the difficulty myself for over a year and each time I am told to provide the code sent to my address, I get confused because no postcard was received as notified.

    My home business has been on for some years now and I truly understand the extent of benefits that link to having a properly verified online presence.

    I hope this material proves useful and would update you on the development as I revert to complete the exercise again.

    Regards,

    • Hi Stannis, I’m happy you found this article useful. I know how frustrating it can be waiting for that postcard.
      Once you have created your account, please go ahead and follow the guide provided to verify your GMB account here -> https://ztal.me/gmb. If you have any challenges, feel free to reach out to us. We’ll be happy to assist you with it. Best of luck.

    • Personally, I would recommend that you create a free website using Google Sites, upload pictures of your products, add “buy” buttons to these products and link them to your WhatsApp business.

  • Hi Vanessa I would like to know more about this
    I think am confused somewhere please 🥺🙏

    • Hi there Alex, there has been a lot of changes to the verification process. Kindly join the GBP support community on Facebook for updates.

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