How do I create a Google My Business Account?

Google My Business (GMB) is a listing service that manages your online presence across Google. You’ll sync your GMB listing with your ZipBooks account so that we can help you manage multiple listings with one location and adhere to best practices that will benefit your business.

We help our Growth customers keep listings up-to-date to improve SEO. Updating locations, contact information and hours within ZipBooks will automatically transfer to GMB, making it easy for prospective customers to find you. Current listings appear at the top of Google’s search results (including Google Maps and Reviews).

A current GMB profile also helps to build critical social proof–customers can easily find your location, view product photos, and peruse customer reviews.

What are the steps for creating an account?

Go to google.com/business and click “Manage now”
Sign in or create a Google Account
Enter the name of your business
Enter your street address. (You will be required to list an address. If your only current address is your home, you have the option to select “Hide my address (it’s not a store).”You can also select “I deliver goods and services” to indicate that you don’t have a storefront. You will then be prompted to identify a Delivery area. You may be asked to drag the Google Map Marker to your exact location.)
Select a business category
Enter contact information: a phone number or website URL (optional)
Finish and verify your business

Google strongly recommends verifying your business—and so do we. According to Google, verified businesses are twice as likely to be considered reputable by users.

The most common GMB verification method is receiving a postcard at your business address, but you can also verify by text or email.

How can I improve my Google My Business ranking?

ZipBooks helps you improve your GMB profile by following SEO best practices. We’ll show you how to improve your ranking on Google Search and optimize your GMB profile.

To keep customers informed and improve SEO, regularly update your information on Google My Business. You’re unlikely to get a positive review if your customer can’t find you:

Log into your GMB dashboard
Click “Info”
Click the Pencil next to the field you’d like to edit
Once you’ve made the change, click “Apply”

FAQs

Do I have to publicly list my location? No, you have the option to “Hide my address,” but we highly recommend acquiring an address that you can list, even if you don’t have a storefront. This will improve your SEO and your credibility.
What do I do if there is a listing for an old business at my current location? Do not attempt to claim the old listing. Instead, suggest an edit to have it marked as closed. Then, create a new Google My Business listing for your own business.
Do I need Google My Business if I already have a website? Your GMB listing is separate from your website, though you can (and should) link to your website through your GMB profile. Creating a Google My Business listing complements what you’re already doing by adding a public listing and local visibility.