In today’s digital-first era, customers rely heavily on Google to discover, evaluate, and contact local businesses. Whether someone is looking for the best salon near me, top pest control service, or electric scooter showroom in West Bengal, the first results they see are powered by Google My Business (GMB)—now officially called Google Business Profile (GBP).

This blog by GMB Expert Solutions, one of the best Google Certified GMB Experts in India, provides a complete breakdown of what GMB is, how it works, how to set it up, how to optimize it for local SEO, and how to fix issues like GMB suspension or number updates.

 

What is Google My Business (GMB)?

Google My Business (GMB) is a free and powerful online listing tool by Google that helps businesses manage how they appear in Google Search and Google Maps.

With a GMB profile, you can:

Display your business name, address, and contact number

Share your business hours and website link

Upload photos, videos, and updates

Manage customer reviews

Post offers, events, or promotions

Enable direct messaging and bookings

A verified GMB profile acts as your digital storefront, available 24/7 to attract nearby customers.

 

Why Google My Business Is Important for Every Business?

Here’s why every business—big or small—must have an optimized GMB profile:

1️⃣ Increases Local Search Visibility

When people search for terms like “best digital marketing agency near me” or “restaurant in Mohali”, Google shows the top three relevant GMB listings in the Local 3-Pack—prime real estate that drives maximum clicks and calls.

2️⃣ Builds Trust and Credibility

A verified GMB profile with consistent details, authentic reviews, and photos establishes trust and reliability, increasing customer confidence.

3️⃣ Drives Real Customer Actions

GMB listings enable direct actions like:

One-tap calls

Directions via Google Maps

Visits to your website

Booking appointments or sending messages

4️⃣ Enhances Local SEO

Google uses your GMB profile to understand your location, category, and services—which helps rank your business higher for local searches.

5️⃣ Offers Data-Driven Insights

You can track:

How many users viewed your listing

What keywords they searched for

Where they discovered you (Maps/Search)

How many calls, website visits, and direction requests were made

This data helps improve your local marketing strategy.

How to Set Up Your Google My Business (GMB) Profile – Step-by-Step Guide

Creating your GMB profile correctly is crucial. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

🔹 Step 1: Sign In to Google Business

Visit https://www.google.com/business/
and sign in using your Gmail account.

🔹 Step 2: Add Your Business Name

Enter your official business name exactly as it appears on your signage or branding. Avoid keyword stuffing — Google may flag it.

🔹 Step 3: Choose the Right Category

Select a primary business category (e.g., Electric Vehicle Dealer, Pest Control Service, Digital Marketing Agency, etc.).
You can add secondary categories later for additional services.

🔹 Step 4: Add Your Business Location

If customers visit your store, add your complete address and pinpoint it on Google Maps.
If you offer home or delivery services, you can choose “I deliver goods and services to my customers.”

🔹 Step 5: Enter Contact Information

Add your business phone number, website URL, and email address (if applicable).
Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) details are consistent across all online listings.

🔹 Step 6: Add Business Hours

Mention your accurate working hours. Keep them updated during holidays or special occasions.

🔹 Step 7: Verify Your Business

Verification methods include:

Postcard verification (most common)

Phone verification

Email verification

Instant verification (for some businesses)

Once verified, your profile becomes active and visible on Google Search & Maps.

🎯 Advanced GMB Optimization Tips (By Certified GMB Experts)

After creating your listing, optimization is the next step to ensure you rank higher and attract targeted customers.

Here are professional optimization techniques used by GMB Expert Solutions:

✅ 1. Optimize Your Business Description

Write a keyword-rich yet natural description.
Example:

“GMB Expert Solutions is a Google-certified digital agency specializing in Google My Business optimization, local SEO, and GMB suspension removal services across India.”

Include main keywords like GMB Expert, GMB Optimization, Local SEO Specialist, and Google My Business Management.

✅ 2. Upload High-Quality Images

Businesses with photos get 200% more direction requests and 90% more calls than those without.
Upload images of your:

Office/storefront

Products or services

Team

Interior setup

Tip: Add geotagged photos for local ranking boosts.

✅ 3. Use GMB Posts Regularly

Google favors active profiles. Post weekly updates about:

Offers & discounts

New product launches

Customer success stories

Before-after results

Blog snippets

✅ 4. Manage Reviews Professionally

Reviews are the backbone of trust:

Encourage happy clients to leave 5-star reviews

Respond to every review — good or bad

Avoid fake reviews; Google can penalize them

Example response:

“Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad our GMB optimization service helped improve your business visibility.”

✅ 5. Add Products and Services

Use the “Services” or “Products” tab to showcase your offerings with clear pricing, descriptions, and images. This boosts engagement and conversions.

✅ 6. Maintain Consistency Across the Web

Ensure your business information is identical across all platforms (Facebook, Yelp, Justdial, etc.) for better SEO signals.

✅ 7. Enable Messaging and Booking

Enable the Chat feature for direct communication. Businesses that respond quickly often rank better.

⚠️ Common GMB Issues and How to Fix Them

Many businesses face technical or policy-related issues with their GMB listings. Here’s how GMB Expert Solutions can help fix them:

🚫 1. GMB Suspension

Your listing may be suspended if:

You used a virtual office or P.O. box

Your business name or category violates Google policy

You added duplicate listings

You received fake reviews

Solution:
Our GMB Suspension Removal Service ensures your listing is reinstated safely, following Google’s guidelines.

📞 2. GMB Phone Number or Address Update

If your business has moved or your number changed, it’s essential to update your GMB profile immediately.
Our experts handle number change requests, re-verification, and address updates without losing rankings.

🧩 3. Duplicate Listings

Having multiple listings can harm your SEO. GMB Expert Solutions identifies and merges duplicate listings professionally.

📍 4. Listing Not Showing on Google Maps

This may happen due to:

Pending verification

Low relevance or engagement

Policy violations

Our experts analyze your profile, optimize the data, and boost visibility on Google Maps.

📊 How Google My Business Helps in SEO and Lead Generation

🔸 1. Boosts Local Search Rankings

Google considers GMB engagement, reviews, and optimization as major ranking signals.
Regular updates and consistent information = higher ranking.

🔸 2. Drives Organic Leads

GMB connects your business directly with users ready to take action—calls, visits, or bookings.

🔸 3. Enhances Click-Through Rate (CTR)

An optimized listing with attractive photos, offers, and good reviews drives more clicks than paid ads in many cases.

🔸 4. Supports Voice Search Optimization

When users ask Google Assistant for nearby services (“Hey Google, find a car rental near me”), optimized GMB profiles get preference.

🧭 Local SEO + GMB Optimization = Business Growth

When combined with Local SEO, GMB optimization becomes even more powerful.
It helps:

Rank in local map pack

Drive foot traffic

Generate leads and calls

Improve brand recognition

Businesses with properly optimized listings see 70% more engagement and 50% more conversion rates.

🏆 Why Choose GMB Expert Solutions?

At GMB Expert Solutions, we specialize in:

✅ GMB Profile Creation & Optimization

✅ GMB Suspension Removal

✅ GMB Address & Number Update

✅ Local SEO & Keyword Ranking

✅ Multi-location GMB Management

✅ Review Building & Reputation Management

We help businesses across India dominate Google Search & Maps — driving real calls, leads, and sales.

📚 Most Common FAQs About Google My Business (GMB)

1. What does GMB stand for?

GMB stands for Google My Business, a free online business listing tool provided by Google.
It allows businesses to create and manage how they appear on Google Search and Google Maps.
With GMB, business owners can showcase their:

Name, address, and phone number

Photos and videos

Reviews and ratings

Business hours and website link

Posts, offers, and updates

In short, GMB acts as a digital storefront for your business — helping potential customers find and connect with you directly from Google.

2. Is GMB still available?

Yes, Google My Business is still available, but it has been rebranded as Google Business Profile (GBP).
The rebranding was done to simplify management — businesses can now update their profiles directly through Google Search or Google Maps, without needing a separate GMB dashboard.

All features like:

Adding posts,

Managing reviews,

Uploading photos, and

Editing business information

…still exist under the new name Google Business Profile.

👉 If you are unsure about how to transition or optimize your GBP, GMB Expert Solutions can guide you step-by-step.

3. Is GMB free to use?

Absolutely!
Google My Business (GMB) is 100% free of cost.
You can create, verify, and manage your profile without paying Google anything.

However, to get the maximum visibility and results, businesses often choose to hire professionals for:

GMB optimization

Regular post updates

Review management

Local SEO

💡 Pro Tip: Partnering with a certified GMB Expert like GMB Expert Solutions ensures your profile stays active, optimized, and compliant with Google policies — without risking suspension.

4. How long does GMB verification take?

The GMB verification process typically takes 5–10 business days, depending on your location and business type.

The common verification methods include:

Postcard Verification: Google sends a postcard with a 5-digit verification code to your business address.

Phone Verification: Some categories allow instant phone or SMS verification.

Email Verification: Available for selected verified domains.

Instant Verification: If you’ve already verified your business with Google Search Console.

⚙️ If your postcard doesn’t arrive or your listing gets stuck in the verification stage, GMB Expert Solutions can help you complete the process quickly and correctly.

5. Can I manage multiple locations?

Yes!
If your business operates in multiple cities or branches, you can manage all of them under a single Google Business Account.

Google allows:

Adding multiple listings to one dashboard

Assigning different managers or owners per location

Creating location groups for easy management

For example, if you run five franchise outlets of a restaurant, you can manage all listings together — each with its own reviews, photos, and updates.

💡 Pro Tip: Maintaining consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) details across all listings helps boost your local SEO rankings.

6. Why did my GMB listing get suspended?

A GMB suspension happens when Google detects policy violations, inconsistent data, or fake activities.
Here are the most common causes:

Using virtual offices or P.O. boxes as your business address

Keyword stuffing in your business name

Multiple duplicate listings

Fake or incentivized reviews

Violating Google’s business category policies

Once suspended, your listing becomes invisible on Search and Maps until reinstated.

✅ GMB Expert Solutions specializes in GMB Suspension Removal Services — helping businesses restore their listings by correcting errors, submitting reinstatement requests, and ensuring full compliance with Google guidelines.

7. How can I improve my GMB ranking?

Improving your Google My Business ranking requires a consistent mix of local SEO optimization, engagement, and credibility.

Here’s how you can rank higher:

Complete your profile 100% (add all info, services, and photos).

Use relevant local keywords in your business description and posts.

Get genuine 5-star reviews and reply to all of them.

Post updates regularly (offers, events, new services).

Add products and services with detailed pricing and images.

Keep your address, phone, and hours consistent across the web.

Add geotagged images for better local relevance.

📈 Businesses that post weekly and respond to reviews promptly are far more likely to appear in the Top 3 Local Pack on Google.

8. What is the difference between GMB and Google Maps listing?

While Google My Business (GMB) and Google Maps listing are closely related, they serve slightly different purposes:

Feature Google My Business Google Maps
Purpose Tool for managing your business info Platform where customers find you
Control Managed by business owners Publicly visible listing
Function Add/edit name, address, photos, hours, reviews Display location and directions
Integration Syncs data from GMB automatically Shows verified businesses first

Simply put, your GMB profile powers your Google Maps visibility.
If your GMB listing is optimized, verified, and active, your business is more likely to show up when people search for your services in your area.

9. Can I delete or hide reviews?

No — you cannot delete reviews manually from your GMB profile, even if they are negative.
However, you can:

Flag or report fake, spam, or irrelevant reviews to Google.

Respond professionally to negative reviews to maintain credibility.

Encourage genuine customers to leave positive reviews to balance your rating.

🛠️ Example:
If someone posts a fake review, click “Flag as inappropriate,” choose the reason, and submit it for Google’s review.
Google typically investigates within 3–5 days.

💬 Pro Tip: Responding politely to bad reviews shows transparency and improves trust among potential customers.

10. How to track GMB performance?

You can track your Google My Business performance using the “Insights” dashboard inside your profile.
It provides valuable data about how users interact with your business.

Metrics you can monitor include:

Search Queries: What people type to find your business

Views: How many people saw your profile on Search or Maps

Customer Actions: Calls, direction requests, website clicks

Photo Views: Number of times your images were seen

Review Analytics: Average ratings and feedback trends

Additionally, integrating Google Analytics and UTM tracking links with your GMB profile helps you measure conversions and website traffic from GMB.

💡 Pro Tip: Reviewing these insights monthly helps identify which keywords and actions generate the most engagement — allowing you to fine-tune your local SEO strategy.

💬 Bonus Tip: Turn Your GMB Profile into a Lead-Generating Machine

With consistent posting, keyword targeting, and review management, your GMB can become a lead magnet for your business.
Partner with GMB Expert Solutions — India’s most trusted Google My Business Specialist — to:

Optimize your listing professionally

Restore suspended accounts

Update numbers or addresses

Rank higher in your local area

Your Google My Business listing isn’t just an online profile — it’s your digital storefront.
When optimized correctly, it can be your most powerful marketing tool, helping you connect with local customers, gain credibility, and grow your business effortlessly.

🚀 Ready to boost your online visibility?
Contact GMB Expert Solutions – India’s leading Google My Business Specialist to get your business ranked on top of Google Maps and Search today!

For More Details: 

GMB Expert | Google My Business Specialist | GMB Optimization | GMB Suspension Removal | GMB Listing | Google My Business Setup | GMB Expert Solutions | Local SEO Expert | Google Business Profile Optimization | GMB Update Service