If you own a business in Jacksonville, Florida, you need to have a Google My Business listing. Google My Business is a free and professional tool created by Google that allows a user to promote their business profile and websites. These business profiles appear on Google Maps and in the local results of Google search. This is where your customers can leave reviews, find your phone number, website address, hours of operation, see photos of your work, and more.

What does a business owner need to create a business profile on Google My Business?

To get a Google My Business account, you need to visit https://google.com/business and click “Manage now”. You will then be able to see the steps required to create an account. If you are a business owner in Jacksonville, you will have to sign up for your free Google My Business account online using your Google account. After that, the website builder utilities the user’s business profile details to auto-generate a simple professional website. From there, you can add photos or choose from the extensive variety of different template designs.

You will likely be required to receive a postcard from Google, which allows them to verify that you do operate at the address you provide. Without this step, anybody and everybody could claim fake addresses around the Jacksonville area, and dominate the search results. Some businesses have actually tried this, only to get caught, and have all their listings removed.

What does a user get with Google My Business?

When a user creates their Google My Business account, they can connect with their customers by updating their website, email, office address, contact information, open hours and social media links. They can also post updates with recent photos, special offers and promotions and monitor the interaction of customers with their business profile on Google. The users can use the dashboard of Google My Business to gain key insights of their audience and the local search performance.

Why should the business owners choose Google My business even if they already have a business website?

Google My Business is an absolutely free tool for the business owners to have the authority to attract and engage with the customers.

One’s profile on Google My Business gives their business website more visibility on Google Search and Maps. Moreover, it allows them to revert to reviews, post photos of products or services, promote special offers (if any) and edit their business details. It enables them to enhance their customer engagement by enabling direct messaging.

How to make a Google My Business Account

Are you still figuring where to sign up? To make a Google My Business account, just follow these simple steps mentioned down below:
 Sign in to google my business.
 Now sign in with your Google Account. Then click ‘Next’.
 Enter your business \ company’s address. Then tap ‘next’. Just remember that if your business does not operate within a service area, you can even list the general area of your business.
 Enter your contact information like Facebook, phone numbers, email, etc.
 Click ‘Yes’. Then click ‘Finish’.
 Another step would be to verify your account.

What’s even more commendable is that the business owners can use Google My Business even if they do not have a business shop front. This allows both home-based and office-based businesses to list their businesses on Google Maps and Search even without mentioning a physical address.