How Do I Add My San Antonio Small Business to Google My Business?

---

Google My Business is a free online tool that allows you to manage your local business listings on Google Search. It lets you create your Google-style profile add photos, descriptions, contact info, and more. It also allows you to make changes to your listing at any time.

It's a great way to connect with your customers on Google. You also get better website optimization through your GMB listing. It works well with other Google services like their Maps. This helps customers find your business a lot quicker and easier. 

With the increase in mobile usage, Google My Business is becoming more important for small businesses. It can improve your SEO, boost customer engagement and generate leads.

Step-by-step Process to Add Your San Antonio Small Business to Google My Business

---

1. Navigate To The Official Website

The first step is to go to the website for Google My Business. You can search for ‘google my business’ in the search box. Alternatively, you can also type ‘www.google.com/business/’ into the address bar. 

Read: Step-by-step Setup Guide for Google My Business Set up

2. Fill In The Name Of Your San Antonio Business

This is where you type in the name of your business. You need to ensure that it is correct to the letter as this is critical to your business identity. Also, don't forget to add apostrophes and dashes if the name contains it. 

Read: Benefits of Optimizing Google My Business

3. Choose The Business Category

The next step is to add your business category. The category is a critical part of your business identity. It is used to identify the niche you will be competing in. it helps people find you easier on searches. 

4. Add Your Business Address

Your store address is integral to your GMB listing. Multiple listings with different addresses will have a detrimental effect on your ranking. Take care to ensure that you get it right, as it directly affects all your other listings.

5. (Optional) Claim Your Business

If there is already an entity with your business name, you'll have the option of claiming it. Once you claim your business, verify if your business requires all the details. This includes working hours, address, and other details. 

6. Add Your Contact Information

Your communication details are perhaps one of the most important things in this setup. Getting this wrong means, you're effectively handicapping your business. Verify and double-check your phone number and website address before filling them in.

7. Choose A Verification Method

Once the above is done, your GMB listing needs to be verified. Google normally sends a postcard to the location you've specified on your GMB. It has a unique identification code that you need to enter into the website. 

Once you activate verification, take care not to change any of the details. 

8. Fill In Your Business Hours

Your working hours are another helpful area many people visit your store. Google automatically updates national holidays from your location. Update this as best as possible because this is an important part of the optimization process. 

9. Opt For Free Messaging On Google

Another great way to communicate with your audience is through the Google Suite. People can directly chat with your business online through their Google IDs. This gives your business more flexibility to handle requests.

10. Describe Your Business 

A business description is where you can add interesting things about your brand. Here, you can also optimize your GMB with the right keywords. It is important not to write a business description that is too long. 

11. Add Images Of Your Business

Images are where you can build connections with people who visit your GMB listing. Remember to keep it authentic with images of your business and people. Adding a visual element to your GMB listing is a great idea.

12. (Optional) Claim Free Ad Credit

Once you finish the above steps, Google sometimes offers you free credit for your advertising. It can be really helpful while setting up a new ad campaign for your business. You can experiment and find out what works best for you. 

Related: Common Google My Business Mistakes People Make

Tips to Manage & Improve Your Google My Business Profile

1. Ensure Accurate NAP Data

Your NAP data is critical to your SEO performance on listings. Error in your NAP entry can cause serious problems, including invalidating your business listing. Verify all parts of your business address, phone number, and other details thoroughly. 

2. Use Optimized Meta Data On Your GMB Profile

This is one of the most overlooked steps for improving your Google My Business (GMB) profile, but it is also one of the most important. There are many ways to optimize your GMB profile for your business. But the most effective way is to ensure that all of your metadata is optimized. 

3. Create A Complete Description

The business description section on the GMB page offers you a chance to create an optimized copy. 

A good description helps potential customers find your business. They want to know what you sell and where they can find it. The business description is the first section on the profile page. It shows up when people search for local businesses on Google. 

4. Upload Photos Regularly 

The next step to improving your Google My Business profile is to upload photos. You'll need to upload your photos separately to Google. 

You can do this by logging into Google My Business and clicking on the "Photos" tab. Then select the pictures which you want to display. 

5. Set Up Communication Methods

While setting up your GMB profile is important, you should also be sure to add different platforms to communicate with your audience. 

It’s a good idea to include a few different methods of communication so that you can reach people through different means. This way, you’ll be able to reach your audience in the most effective way possible.

Related: Google My Business Issues Q&A

Key Takeaways

---

• Adding your business details into My Business is critical to your success. 
• Ensure that you have all the NAP details correct for your listing.
• Using visual imagery is important even on business listings. 
• Opting for different communication platforms can help you connect. 
• Optimize your GMB profile to help improve your website’s SEO strength.