Get Your Business Verified By Google: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why is being ‘verified by Google’ critical for your business? It serves as a beacon of trust to potential customers and a catalyst for increased local search ranking. This guide will detail the vital steps to achieve verification, elevating your business’s online reputation and visibility.

Key Takeaways

• Google verification enhances a business’s credibility with consumers, improves local search visibility, and grants access to business tools for online management.
• Verification for Google Business Profiles is initiated by creating or claiming a profile, followed by selecting a verification method offered by Google, which could include postcard, phone, email, or video call verification.
• Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date Verified Google Business Profile is crucial for sustaining online presence. It can involve post-verification edits, re-verification processes, and potential transfer of profile ownership.

The Importance of Google Verification for Your Business

The power of being verified on Google cannot be overstated – it’s a game-changer for businesses. A verified Google Business Profile serves as a symbol of credibility and trust for consumers searching online. The Google verification shield signals to these searchers that the business is legitimate, helping to build trust with potential customers. But it’s not just about trust; a verified presence on Google significantly impacts your local search visibility, giving your business a substantial edge over non-verified competitors.

Moreover, verification provides access to various business tools, greatly improving your online management capabilities.

The Impact on Local Search Visibility

Being verified on Google is particularly critical for local businesses. This verification enhances visibility in search results and Google Maps, making it easier for potential customers to discover your business. Without verification, a brand may become practically invisible on Google’s services, severely limiting local search visibility.

Regularly refreshing your Google Business Profile with new images increases user engagement, which has a positive effect on your search result ranking. Businesses with verified Google Business Profiles are 50% more likely to secure purchases from customers who discover them through Google.

Building Trust with Potential Customers

Trust is a valuable currency in the business world, and Google verification can significantly enhance it. Being verified on Google sends a powerful trust signal to potential customers, indicating that your business is both legitimate and reliable. A verified business listing on Google can increase the likelihood of being considered reputable by potential customers by as much as 2.7 times.

The inclusion of unique selling points and relevant products or services in your business description further boosts trust.

Access to Essential Business Tools

Verification doesn’t just boost your visibility and credibility; it also grants access to a range of essential business tools. Verifying a Google Business Profile provides access to:

• The Google Business Profile Manager is a centralized dashboard that simplifies the management of business listings
• Google My Business for maintaining accurate contact information and business hours
• Responding to customer reviews

Furthermore, verification permits businesses to modify their profile content, examine metrics, and interact with customer reviews, thereby maintaining their online presence. Also, Google provides verified businesses with insights, analytics, and post-related analytics, all of which support business growth and online management.

Getting Started with Google Business Profile Verification

Taking the first step towards Google verification is easy. The initial stage involves creating or claiming your business’s profile on Google. By verifying ownership or representation through Google My Business, you gain the ability to update and manage your business information. The best part? Google verification is completely free of charge. Yes, you heard it right – the verification process is free.

Creating Your Google Business Profile

Creating a Google Business Profile is quite uncomplicated. The key is to provide accurate and complete business information to help potential customers learn more about your business. As a business owner, you can add or edit various pieces of information on your Google Business Profile, such as the business name, category, and social media links.

Bear in mind, that a comprehensive and accurate profile increases the likelihood of potential customers engaging with your business.

Claiming an Existing Business Profile

If your business already has a Google My Business profile, you’ll need to claim it. This involves searching for your business name, scrolling to the bottom of the knowledge panel, and clicking on ‘Claim this Google knowledge panel’. The option is available for an official representative to claim the knowledge panel on behalf of the business. This allows them to manage and edit the information displayed. To complete the claim, Google may request general information about the business, like social media handles, and a government-issued identification to verify the identity.

Once claimed, primary ownership of the profile can be transferred instantly by the current owner through the Business Profile settings.

Navigating the Verification Process

After the creation or claim of your business profile, you’ll embark on the verification process. Google offers several verification methods, including:

• Standard postcard verification
• Phone calls
• Texts
• Emails
• Live video calls

It’s important to note that the choice of verification method is determined by Google, not the business owner. If a verification postcard does not arrive within the typical 14-day window, another request can be made, or you can contact Google support for further assistance.

Postcard Verification: The Standard Method

The postcard verification method is the standard way to verify Google Business Profiles. It involves receiving a postcard in the mail with a verification code. This method involves a postcard with a unique verification code being sent to the business address. Once received, this code must be entered on Google Search or Maps to complete the verification process.

It’s a simple yet effective method that helps Google confirm the physical location of your business using the Google Maps app.

Alternative Verification Methods

In addition to postcard verification, Google offers several alternative verification methods, including instant verification, for your mobile device. These alternative methods include phone calls, texts, emails, and live video calls.

Video verification, for instance, requires a comprehensive, uninterrupted recording that showcases both the interior and exterior of the business premises to confirm its location and authenticity. After submitting the verification video, Google’s review process can take up to five business days. If video verification fails, businesses may be asked to reattempt it or consider using another verification method provided by Google.

Enhancing Your Verified Profile for Maximum Effect

Upon completion of the verification process and the verification of your business on Google, there’s no time to rest on your laurels. Instead, you should leverage this opportunity to actively engage with your Google Business Profile. This involves creating posts, replying to customer reviews, and ensuring all business information is up-to-date.

Frequently updating with lively images and visuals can greatly strengthen customer relationships and maintain a noticeable and appealing presence in local search results.

Crafting a Compelling Business Description

The description of your business on your Google profile plays a critical role in attracting potential customers. A clear, accurate, and descriptive business bio can make your Google Business Profile stand out among competitors. The first 250 characters of your description are particularly important as they are the first to be displayed, meaning crucial information should be included in this segment.

It’s important to keep the description professional by avoiding the use of HTML code, links, or gimmicky characters, focusing instead on key details about your business. Including your primary business category in your description can also aid in clarifying your main offerings to search engines and users.

Selecting the Right Business Category

Choosing the right business category can significantly improve your profile’s relevance in search results, leading to potentially higher visibility. It’s important to select a category that accurately represents your business as it helps customers find and identify your business. For optimal relevance in search results, it’s advisable to select a primary category that is very specific and indicative of the primary services or products you offer. It’s important to note that Google provides a dropdown list of categories to choose from and businesses cannot create custom categories if they don’t find an exact match.

Adding High-Quality Images and Videos

Visual content has the power to significantly increase engagement and visibility. Therefore, verified businesses are encouraged to enhance their Google Business Profile by updating and adding high-quality photos. High-quality images and videos can significantly increase click appeal and engagement, bolstering the visibility of your business profile on Google.

Verified accounts also can create a variety of visual posts on Google, including stories, articles, videos, events, or a poll.

Maintaining Your Verified Status

Maintaining your Google verification is key to sustaining the success of your online business presence. Google may ask for re-verification if changes to the business information occur or to ensure quality maintenance. Utilizing tools like the Google Search Console can help you monitor and manage your website’s presence in Google search results.

Any edits to the Business Profile, such as the name, category, address, or other important details, will be reviewed to maintain quality before they appear on Google Search and Maps. Users can suggest edits to ensure that non-sensitive business documents and information are accurately represented.

Updating Your Business Information

As a verified business owner, you are granted the privilege of editing your Google Business Profile. You can update critical details such as:

• the business address
• operating hours
• contact information
• add new photos

After making updates, it may take several weeks for the changes to be fully reflected across Google’s services.

It’s important to note that managing a Google Business Profile may vary based on whether the access is via Google Maps or Search, and there can be differences in the process depending on the operating system used.

Transferring Ownership of a Verified Profile

There might be occasions when you need to transfer ownership of your verified profile. Before a primary owner can transfer ownership of a Google My Business profile, another user must be designated as the new primary owner. The user who is to become the new primary owner must already have owner or manager status on the profile.

The current primary owner can go to the business profile, navigate to the managers’ section, select the new primary owner, and confirm the change. The verified status of the profile is retained during an ownership transfer when initiated by the current verified owner. Following the correct transfer procedure ensures the business profile remains verified under the new ownership.

Leveraging That! Company’s Expertise for Local SEO Success

If you aspire to elevate your business’s online presence, That! Company is the ideal partner for you. Known as ‘The Local SEO Company That Other Local SEO Companies Use’, That! Company has been providing white label SEO services since 2007, servicing local businesses with strategies including Local SEO, PPC management, and social media optimization. That! Company’s local SEO services are comprehensive, offering full-service digital marketing solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes.

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Customized Local SEO Strategies

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• Analyzing competitors
• Understanding the target audience
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Google Business Profiles are a key component in a business’s local SEO strategy, helping to enhance search rankings and establish legitimacy. That! Company’s comprehensive approach to digital marketing includes:

• extensive keyword research
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Operational anonymity is guaranteed by That! Company, using clients’ email addresses, portals, and private caller IDs for direct calls, ensuring the partnership remains confidential.

Comprehensive Digital Marketing Support

Beyond SEO, That! Company offers a wide range of white label digital marketing services, including:

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Summary

In conclusion, Google verification is a powerful tool for any business aiming to bolster its online presence. From increasing visibility in local search results to building trust with potential customers and gaining access to essential business tools, the benefits are immense. However, the journey doesn’t end at verification. Businesses should actively enhance their verified profile and maintain their verified status to reap the full benefits. Leveraging the expertise of a company like That! Company can further enhance a business’s online authority and search rankings. So, are you ready to take your business to new heights?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of Google verification for businesses?

Google verification is important for businesses because it enhances credibility, trust, and visibility in local search results, and provides access to essential business tools.

What are some ways to enhance a verified Google Business Profile?

To enhance your verified Google Business Profile, focus on creating posts, replying to customer reviews, and keeping all business information current. This will help improve your online presence and customer engagement.

How can businesses maintain their verified status on Google?

To maintain verified status on Google, businesses need to regularly update their information and transfer ownership of a verified profile when needed.

What services does That! Company offer?

That! Company offers digital marketing services such as SEO, PPC management, and social media optimization. They provide a comprehensive range of services to enhance your online presence.

What are white label services?

White label services are unbranded solutions that clients can present as their own, such as confidential SEO services provided by That! Company.