What is the difference between Google+ (Brand) and “Google My Business” ?
Google+ was originally meant to be a social networking site like Facebook, but it never really took off…
It still carved out an important role for itself, though! Google+ is what customers or potential clients sees when using Google Search or Google Maps.
Basically, if you don’t have a Google+ as a business, YOU DON’T EXIST.
And then you have Google My Business which is the dashboard that puts your business’s Google presence (i.e. maps, search, google+, reviews and posts) all in one place.
Google My Business is important to set up because it is what puts your business on Google’s map.
Literally.
Think of it as an umbrella, and Google+ is just one of the elements that falls beneath it.
If you haven’t setup your Google+ account (or can’t remember if you created one), don’t worry! Google My Business covers all the bases now.
Let’s go over how to build one from scratch…
How to Create your Google My Business account
Step 1: Sign into your BUSINESS GMAIL ACCOUNT and click the App Launcher in the Right hand corner of the screen.
Step 2: Scroll to the bottom of the app launcher drop down menu
Step 3: This will bring you to a new page (see below). Scroll all the way to the bottom of Google’s App Page and click “Google My Business”
You’re almost done! Just a few more clicks and you’ll be set up in Google…
Step 4: Agree to terms of service and click “Continue”
Step 5: Click “Add a Single Location”
Now that your Google My Business account is set up, it’s time to get visible on Google Maps through your new Google My Business Dashboard:
How to Set Up Google Maps through the Google My Business Dashboard
Step 1: Click: Create a Google+ Page – Google My Business
*It will bring you to this page below
Step 2: Fill out all business information
You will need:
- Business Name
- Country
- Physical Street Address
- Business Phone Number
- Category (Type of Law)
- Website
Step 3: Verify information is correct and click that you are authorized to manage your business and click continue
Step 4: In order for Google to verify that your business is legitimate, they will send you a postcard via snailmail with a code inside that you will need.
Step 5: Add the name of the person who needs to keep an eye out for this postcard and hit send.
*You will only have 30 days to enter your code once it is mailed
Google My Business will now allow you optimize your page
Step 6: Google will provide you with a step by step process to optimize your page
O
nce you’ve selected photos that you want to add to your Google My Business listing, make sure that they’re in either JPG or PNG format and are the right size.
Here are the requirements:
- Profile (LOGO) Pic: The profile photo is displayed as 250 x 250 pixels, but it’s best to upload at 1000 x 1000 pixels for best quality.
- Cover Pic: 1600 x 900 pixels – The minimum size of the cover image must be more than 480 x 270 pixels.
Example of a Profile Picture (Logo):
Example of a Cover Photo:
Once you have uploaded and completed all the information required, Google will bring you to your dashboard. This page shows you all your business information as well as allows you to edit, upload photos, add social posts, add users, and add multiple locations.
When your Google Postcard arrives, log into your dashboard, click verify now, and enter the code.
Done and done. That wasn’t so hard, was it?
