The Ultimate Guide to Optimising Your Google Business Profile
RANK YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE IN THE TOP 3!
Initial Optimisation
Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online platforms
Business Name: Ensure it’s the exact legal/business name.
Profile Picture: Design a 3D version of the Logo.
Cover Photo: Design a Cover Photo using content & imagery that are relevant to your Service Focus.
Categories:
- Primary Category: Use your Primary Service
- Secondary Categories: Select other relevant Secondary categories based on your Service List.
- Note: After selecting Categories, choose from the Service Options under each Category.
Services: Manually add additional services that were not captured during Category selection.
Use a Business Address: If you don’t have an address that you’re willing to display online, consider a Virtual Office. Businesses rank in roughly a 15 mile radius based on where the address is located. If you choose not to have an address, your chances of ranking will decrease.
Shortname: Create a Shortname that matches the business name.
Phone Numbers: List your business phone number
Website: Ensure the link is to your website, even if it’s not live yet.
Business Description: Describe your services, unique selling points, and your commitment to customer satisfaction. Use keywords relevant to your services and service areas but avoid keyword stuffing.
Operating Hours: Select your Business Hours (Don’t do 24/7).
Add Photos: Upload Photos of your work, employees, equipment, etc.
Questions & Answers: Create roughly 10 FAQs related to your primary services and service areas.
Add Service Areas: Add all Cities & Zip Codes that you service.
Booking Button: Send to Website Contact Page or Other Appointment Link.
Products: Add Services again here with a picture and brief description.
Social Links: Link your Business’ Social Profiles.
Update the “More” Section:
- From the Business
- Service Options
- Turn on Messaging.
Recurring Maintenance
Google Review Acquisition – IMPORTANT: Ask your Customers for a Google Review, you can find the Link on your GBP. Reviews are the Currency that Google uses to understand your work activity and local authority. They boost all of your Google platforms including Ads!
GBP Messages: Ensure that Messages to your GBP are being monitored and can be responded to FAST.
Review Responses: Respond to all Reviews, especially the bad ones. Use it as an opportunity to showcase your professionalism to potential customers.
Frequently Add Images & Create Posts!
Check your Insights to see how your efforts are impacting your Local Presence.
Video Verification Guide
This guide shows you how to pass video verification using our process which has a 95% Success Rate!
One of the most challenging parts to getting your GBP Optimized is the Verification Process.
ESPECIALLY when you update your Business Address to a more ideal location!
This will for certain trigger a Verification Process with Google, so let’s prepare first ;
Verification Prep
Standard Process (Video Submission):
Typically, you start here and get verified after submitting your Video. Here’s what you will need to prepare.
- A Canvas/Sign for your “Office Door” - CRUCIAL
- Business Cards
- Vehicle Branding
- Branded Shirt & Hat (Optional but helps)
You can Design on Canva or Fiverr and print on VistaPrint.
Business Identity Verification (Document Submission):
If your Video Verification fails, it will be escalated to Business Identity Verification. We recommend getting these items now just in case you get to this stage!
Gather Images
- Vehicles / Equipment
- Outside of Location
- Street Signs
Business Documentation WITH THE ADDRESS ON IT.
- This could be either:
- Business Registration
- Insurance
- Licensing
- Utility Bill
Once everything is ready, update your profile and go through Verification.
Verification Prep
This requires attention to detail and will result in further delay if not done properly.
Begin by going to your Google Business Profile, and click Get Verified.
Read the instructions and be attentive to whatever recording restrictions they give you.
BEGIN STEPS
- Start Outside
- Introduce yourself and claim ownership of the business. Wear your Shirt and Hat with company Logo.
- Show Equipment in the Vehicle or Shop.
- Show the outside of your building:
- Vehicles / Equipment
- Outside of Location
- Street Signs
- Go Inside
- Open “Public Office” and say “This is where Customers Conduct Business”
- Open “Private Office” and say “This is where Customers cannot enter”
END STEPS
Important Notes
1. Public Office: Google wants to see where you conduct/talk Business with Clients. So use your Canvas/Sign on a door and open the “Public Office” to showcase the room very briefly. An Office type space with Business Cards/Laptop on table is ideal.
2. Private Office: Google also wants to see a place that Clients can NOT access. Open the “Private Office” door and showcase it briefly. We have had a client open his Closet before and it worked… Just somewhere that the Clients can’t go without access.
3. Answers to Potential Questions:
- a. Customers CAN & DO Visit Your Location.
- b. You’re NOT a Service Area Business, you have a Physical Location.
- c. This is NOT a Virtual Office Location.
Rejection
- First Rejection: Submit a Ticket via GBP Support and request a Live Video Call with a Google Rep, which is the same process just Live.
- Second Rejection: Submit another Ticket with your Documentation from Phase 2. Also ask for an Appeal Form.
Reinstatement Guide
For some reason your Profile has been Suspended and requires proof of Business Identity.
Submit the Reinstatement Form and use Documentation from “Business Identity Verification (Document Submission)”.
If rejected, Request an Appeal Form and follow up in the same thread.
Summary:
- Initial Optimization: sure your Business Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) are the same across all Online Platforms.
- Recurring Maintenance: Check your Insights to see how your efforts are impacting your Local Presence.
- Video Verification Guide: The guide provides a 95% success rate for passing Video Verification, especially when updating your Business Address to a more ideal location, which triggers a Google Verification Process.
- Reinstatement Guide: Your profile has been suspended and requires proof of business identity. Submit the Reinstatement Form and use documentation from “Business Identity Verification”. If rejected, request an Appeal Form.
For further guidance please email us directly at:
hello@constructvirtual.com