Everything You Need to Know About Google My Business Listings

Google doesn't charge for business listings, and Google My Business (GMB) listings are free. GMB's main goal is to provide users with accurate and relevant information, and it helps businesses reach and interact with local customers on Google Search and Maps. With GMB, you can track the number of potential customers who called your business based on local maps and search results. You can also create your profile at no cost and manage your business from Google Search and Maps. Verifying your property is an important step in setting up a GMB listing. Most companies verify the property by phone, SMS or by requesting and receiving a postcard from Google to your address. It's important to strategically use and manage each GMB feature so that your company has an edge over the competition. Google also uses the information on your website in different ways, a factor that will affect your ranking in search engine results. When you respond to a review, your response appears below the customer review in Google Search and in Maps labeled Owner Response. Google will also insert itself into the conversation by using the most frequently asked questions. If you're looking for additional guidance, you can schedule one-on-one meetings with a Google Advisor specially trained to receive recommendations for your business profile and more. Ultimately, time will tell if Google decides to charge for GMB listings instead of just using Google Ads or Google Ads Express for local ads. Learn how to use your business profile on Google to inform customers with important information, such as new business hours, health and safety measures, temporary closures, and more.