The more information you can directly give to search engines, the better. Setting up Google My Business (GMB) and Bing Places should be at the top of your to-do list when promoting your business.
These platforms help search engines display essential details about your business in tools like Google’s Knowledge Panel, making it easier for potential customers to find and trust you.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up these critical accounts and maximising their potential:
How to Set Up Google My Business
You should set up your Google account first. Make sure you keep a note of exactly how you write your business name, address and phone number. When you start setting up local citations, you need to be consistent with this information.
- Visit Google My Business and click on the Start Now button.
- Enter your business name. If a listing already exists, claim it. Otherwise, create a new listing.
- Add your business address and verify its location on the map by adjusting the pin to the correct spot.
- Select a business category. Choose the most relevant one, and only add extra categories if they genuinely apply.
- Input your phone number and website URL to ensure customers can easily contact you.
How to Verify Your Business
Once you’ve completed the setup, verify your business. This can sometimes be through a phone call, but more often will involve Google sending a postcard to the address you registered. Enter the code promptly to avoid expiration.
Enhance Your Google My Business Profile
After verification, take the following steps to optimise your GMB profile:
- Opening hours are in the knowledge panel, so make sure you include them accurately. When people conduct a local search, knowing that you’re open can make the difference between a conversion and a bounce.
- Optimise your GMB page with compelling images (using image names related to your business and keywords), and keep checking back to make sure the information is always up to date. Sometimes people add suggestions for edits to your information. Google will usually email you to confirm the information, but it’s sensible to double check that nothing has been changed.
- Google Posts is a micro blogging platform within GMB, where you can add mini status updates that will show up in the knowledge panel. This increases the volume of information you have on show and offers another opportunity to attract people’s interest, without taking much time or effort, so it’s worth playing with this feature.
How To Set Up Bing Places
While Google dominates the search engine market, Bing accounts for around 20% of searches. Optimising for Bing gives you access to a less crowded platform, increasing your chances of ranking higher.
If you set up your Google My Business page before your Bing page, you can import the information. You should wait until you’ve completed your Google verification, as this means you are automatically verified on Bing, saving time.
How to Set Up Bing Places with Google My Business
If you’ve already set up and verified your Google My Business (GMB) page, you can save time by importing your information directly into Bing Places:
- Visit Bing Places and click ‘Get Started.’
- Select ‘new user’ and choose to import information from GMB.
- Allow access to your GMB account. If you manage multiple business accounts, select the correct one.
- Verification is automatic if your GMB listing has already been verified.
Manual Setup for Bing Places
If you prefer to manually set up your Bing Places listing, follow these steps:
- Go to Bing Places and click ‘Get Started.’
- Select ‘new user’ and choose ‘claim or add business manually.’
- Choose your business type from the drop-down menu.
- Input your business phone number, name, and location. If an existing listing matches your details, claim it. Otherwise, select ‘create new business’ and add your information manually.
Once verification is complete, your Bing listing will be visible to the public. It is important to keep checking back to make sure the information is always up to date and adding/removing pictures to best represent your business.
Why Optimising Search Listings Matters
Setting up and maintaining your GMB and Bing Places accounts ensures your business appears credible and accessible to potential customers. Features like verified contact details, up-to-date opening hours, and photos build trust and improve your chances of converting local searches into real customers.
Need Help? Contact Nivo Digital
Creating and managing online listings can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. We specialise in helping businesses optimise their online presence, from setting up GMB and Bing Places to improving local SEO.
Please contact Nivo Digital if you have any questions and we will be happy to help.