This guide will show you how to set up a Google Business Profile and avoid some common mistakes along the way.
What is a Google Business Profile, and why should real estate agents have one?
Google Business Profile is a free-to-use tool provided by Google that allows you to connect with customers, garner reviews, post updates, and grow your business online.
In the highly competitive world of real estate, agents need to take every step to stand out among the crowd. Real estate agents should consider creating a Google Business Profile to help build their online presence, connect with more clients, showcase testimonials, and more.
1. Getting Started
To start creating your real estate Google Business Profile, visit Google.com/business and click “Manage Now.” From here, log in, or create your Google account if you don’t already have one.
2. Choosing Your Profile Name and Category
Enter the name of your real estate business (i.e., Jane Doe, REALTOR, Best Real Estate Team, etc.) From here, set your business category to “Real Estate Agent” (don’t worry, you can add more categories later.)
3. **IMPORTANT – Business Location**
Setting up your business location is a common area where real estate agents will run into trouble. Google will only recognize one business per address, so if you attempt to set your business location as the address of your brokerage, you could end up delisting your office’s business profile.
To avoid a conflict, select “No” when asked if you want to add a location customers can visit. Unless, of course, you have your own business location to add.
4. Choosing Your Service Areas
The following section will prompt you to select your desired service areas. This can be individual towns, counties, or entire states. It is essential only to include your actual service areas as you want to ensure you are reaching people you will be able to assist.
5. Business Contact Info
Here you will add your business phone number and website address if you have one.
6. Mailing Address (For Verification Purposes)
Google will now ask you to provide a mailing address for verification purposes. This is not public and will only be used so you can verify your business. After entering your address, you will be asked to enter a contact name so Google can mail you a postcard with a verification code. You will need this to ensure your business is visible online.
These typically arrive in under a week.
7. Business Details
In the following pages, you will be asked to provide more details about your business – including your services, business hours, messaging options, business description, and photos.
If you don’t have all this info prepared, don’t worry, you will always be able to add more details and specifics later on.
Note – At the end of this section, you will be asked if you want to accept a $500 advertising credit from Google. If you are not familiar with Google Ads, you can skip this option for now and always return to it later.
8. Verifying Your Business
Once your verification postcard arrives from Google, follow the steps on it to complete the creation of your business profile.
That’s it! You have officially created your real estate Google Business Profile. You can make posts, create offers, request client reviews, add photos, and more.
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