How to Create a Google Business Profile

Where do you go if you’re looking for a quick answer? What about a recommendation?

Most likely, you’d pull out your smartphone or log into your computer and head to Google.

From restaurants to doctor’s offices, shopping, and sports facilities, millions of people each day are searching for information on Google.

How can you ensure your business shows up in their search results?

Here’s how you can create a Google Business Profile for your business (and why it’s important).

What is a Google Business Profile?

A Google Business Profile is a free tool that helps you take control of your online presence on Google. Having a Google Business Profile will help people find information about your business, offerings, location, and more. A Google Business Profile will also help you interact with new and prospective clients by ensuring that online information about your business is accurate and up-to-date.

Why is it important to have a Google Business Profile?

Whether you’re researching “pizza near me” or “how to improve my jump shot,” oftentimes, the first place we go to look for answers is Google. Likewise, some people may even “google” a specific business name to check the hours or location, rather than directly visit that business’s website.

Why would evaluating a sports facility or training academy be any different? According to Google, “verified businesses are twice as likely to be considered reputable.” This means you have an immense opportunity to make a strong impression.

From your Google Business Profile, you can accurately maintain your business hours, phone number, facility address, and even photos of your facility or training. Additionally, you can direct people to your website, taking your clients and prospects on a journey from search to purchase.

So, how can I make a Google Business Profile for my Sports Business?

The best part, creating a Google Business Profile is free and easy! Here are the steps you need to take to create your profile and verify your business:

Step 1: Visit Google Business and sign in to your Google Account. If you don’t already have a Google account, you can create one.

Note: Be sure to sign up with your business email domain, since it will be used for your business!

Step 2: Select “Find & Manage your Business” and start typing your business name into the search bar. If it appears in the dropdown, you can select it, but if it doesn’t, once you’ve finished typing in your business name, you can select “Create a Business with this Name.”

Once you click “Next,” you can select the Business Category that is most suitable for your business. Be as specific as possible. For example, Batting Cage Center, Gymnastics Club, Sports Complex, etc.

Step 3: Add your business location. If you operate out of a facility, you’ll be prompted to add your street address. This address will then show up as a red pin on Google Maps. If you do not operate out of a facility, you’ll instead be asked to add a service area. The service area is the general area in which you serve, for example Indianapolis, Indiana.

Step 4: Add a phone number and website URL. This phone number will be visible to clients, so keep this in mind, and don’t add a dummy phone number.

Step 5: Verify your business through one of the verification options. This may require inputting an address for a piece of mail, or a recording to verify the facility.

Step 6: Add services. Based on the category you selected earlier, Google may pre-populate a few categories for offerings. You can edit this list.

Step 7: Update your business hours. When people are searching your business, these hours will show up on your listing.

Step 8: Decide whether or not you’d like to utilize Google’s Messages feature. This feature makes it easy for potential customers to contact your business directly through Google.

Step 9: Enter a business description. This short paragraph should resemble an “About Us” page on your website, giving insight into your mission, offerings and/ or history.

Step 10: Add photos to add some visual appeal to your Google Business Profile. You will be able to upload your logo and a cover photo as well.

And now, pending verification, you now have a Google Business Profile! You can continue to build out your business profile directly from the Google Search page (i.e., Search your Business Name in Google, and your profile should populate in an admin view).