How to Create a Google Business Profile for CBD Businesses

Introduction 

If you run a retail CBD store, having a strong local presence is essential, and that’s where creating a Google Business Profile (GMB) account becomes a game-changer. 

A GMB account helps you improve your online visibility, credibility, and customer engagement, especially in local search results. It also lets you easily manage your business details, like location, hours, and contact information, so your customers always have the most accurate and up-to-date info. 

Plus, with GMB, you can highlight customer reviews, share updates, and post photos, all of which help build trust and connect with your audience. In short, a GMB account is a must-have for attracting more local customers, improving your search rankings, and strengthening your online presence

And here’s the best part: you can get started with a GMB business account in no time. So, let’s get started on an ultimate guide to creating a GMB account for CBD businesses.

Also Read: How to Get a Merchant Account for CBD Business

What is Google Business Profile? 

Google Business Profile is a free marketing tool developed by Google. It gives business owners control over how they appear in search engines like Google Search and Google Maps. 

It serves as a digital storefront, providing potential customers with crucial information like your business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and website link. 

It’s free, simple to set up, and can send a lot of traffic to your website or business. With a GMB profile, businesses can add all the crucial business details, post updates, announce special offers, and showcase new products or services directly on their profile.  

One of the key aspects of a GMB profile is the ability to manage and respond to customer reviews, offering insights into how customers interact with your profile driving more traffic to your business, both online and offline.

Also Read: How to Choose Website Builder for Your CBD Business

Why Create a GMB Page for CBD Business? The Benefits Explained! 

GMB Pages Build Trust 

GMB pages help businesses build trust among their target market. With all the details and customer reviews on that GMB page – you can build that much-needed trust & credibility. 

Did you know, 98% of users check internet reviews before actually going to the physical store. So, establishing a solid local identity is quite important for businesses, espacially CBD businesses.

You might be aware of the fact that – Google Maps assigns a star rating (which goes from 1 to 5) based on the aggregate of feedback provided by users adjacent to company names. Reviews give you useful information about your company. You have the ability to respond to reviews, which helps foster customer trust.

But, customers don’t anticipate flawless reviews. A combination of favorable and unfavorable ratings is really more reliable, claims Google. Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, is an excellent approach to increasing trust and credibility with current and potential consumers.

Also Read: Marketing ideas For CBD Business 

It boosts your local searches & presence 

Google Business Profile is an extremely effective tool for improving local SEO. A well-built GMB profile can greatly boost your company’s exposure in local search results on Google Maps. 

Google ranks businesses in local searches based on several factors from your GMB profile, such as relevance (how well your business corresponds to the search query), distance (how close your store is to the investigator), and prominence (how well-known your business is, which is frequently influenced by examines and other SEO practices). 

Enhance these elements and raise your local search rankings by adding complete, accurate, and current information to your GMB profile; additionally, you may submit changes frequently and interact with users. 

Also Read: How to Market Your CBD Business on Facebook

It Helps You Build Great Online Business

If you recently started your own business, you might not have a website yet. If that’s the case, you can probably quickly and easily construct a free official website for your business using Google Business, which is one of the main advantages.

Businesses (like yours) must adhere to large tech restrictions when using marketing channels like social media. Their algorithms determine who finds your business and what impression they have of it. But you can control exactly what kind of experience potential customers have with your business by creating a Google Business Profile profile.

Additionally, by mastering profile optimization, you may increase the likelihood that your company will rank highly in search results. That gives you the greatest opportunity to influence the purchasing decisions of searchers who come across your brand.

Also Read: How to Market CBD Business on Social Media

It Gives you Access to the Most Crucial Business Insights 

Google Business Profiles can provide valuable insights into your consumer base and the performance of your placement in search results. You can use this information to improve your business, client relationships, and profile optimization.

• Views: A summary of how many times searchers have viewed your posts, images, and profile.
• Search Queries: A list of terms that searchers use to find your business online.
• Engagement: A breakdown of which business posts are generating the greatest amount of search engine traffic. With GMB, you may share messages (posts) that appear for others to view in the local panel of Google Search and on Google Maps.

It enhances the overall brand presence 

A Google Business Profile (GMB) page helps CBD businesses boost the website website clicks, increase visibility in local search results, drive sales, and strengthen your overall brand presence. 

GMB profile makes it easier for potential customers to find and connect with your business – as it includes everything right from basic details like(website, location, working hours, etc) followed by product details, services, event details, promotions followed by customer reviews, etc. 

This not only attracts more traffic to your website but also encourages customer engagement and loyalty. In simple terms, a well-maintained GMB page helps your CBD business stand out, reach more customers, build your brand presence and loyalty.

Also Read: CBD Business Name Ideas 

The Simple Guide to Create a Google Business Profile for Your CBD Business! 

Step 1: Log in to Google Business Profile.

You’ll need a Google account to utilize Google Business Profile, so create one if you don’t already have one.

While setting up your Google Business Profile, it is advised against using your personal account. Instead, use a dedicated work account as you may want to grant others access to your Google Business Profile in the future.

Step 2: Choose your Business Name 

After you’ve logged in, select “Manage now” and type your company name. If you have created your business name earlier – then it will appear in the dropdown menu and then you can select your business category. 

If you don’t already have an account, follow along to create one. 

• Select “To manage my business” from the drop-down menu after clicking the “Create account” button.
• Next, provide your details (name, needed username, etc.) and press the “Next” button.
• Following that, you will want a phone number to confirm your identification.
• After requesting a few more details, Google will direct you to their terms and conditions webpage. On the terms and conditions page, click the “Agree” button to begin creating your profile.

Step 3: Choose the Right Business Category 

Next, choose the business category that most accurately fits your company. The categories and subcategories you choose in GMB should be carefully considered. These categories should be as close to your business function as possible in order to describe what it does to potential searchers.

If you are attempting to rank for keywords in the Google search engine, categories are also important. Selecting the appropriate categories can also help you rank higher on Google Maps. 

Here are tips you should keep in mind before getting ahead: 

Pay close attention. Make sure you read through each section carefully and include as much information as you can. This improves the engine’s ability to match you with local queries. The listings will help more people find your company. Every detail needs to be accurate and current. Here are some further pointers:

• To avoid misunderstandings, make sure the company name corresponds with the store signs.
• Your address must be identical to how it appears on other sources, such as your website or social media page. Inconsistencies tarnish your company’s reputation in the eyes of Google.
• Include both regular and holiday hours, since users will notice them. When a potential client shows up at your place, you don’t want them to find that the doors are closed.
• Do not attempt to modify anything in the “From the Business” description; it is an automatically generated editorial description. After you’ve validated your business, it’s time to complete your profile. Open the Google Business Profile dashboard, click the listing you want to edit, choose “Info,” and then select a field to modify or complete.

Whenever you’d like, you can edit your company profile by going into your GMB dashboard, selecting “Info,” clicking the pencil next to the field you want to change, making the necessary changes, and then choosing “Apply.”

Also Read: CBD Business Ideas to Start

Step 5: Add the Location or Website URL(Or Maybe Both) 

Next, if you have a physical location, add a location. However, this is an optional step.

If you have a physical place, select “yes,” and Google will ask for your location’s address. Make sure you enter the location accurately because Google Maps will display your address to searchers. You may also be requested to place a marker on a map to indicate the location for accuracy.

If you operate your business online, Google will request your website address. Regardless of your website presence(whether online or offline) you need to select your country from the dropdown in which you are registered.

Step 6: Verify Your Details 

After inputting all of your information, you must verify your business. Thus, even though you have the option to set up your account without verifying businesses at first, you will eventually have to do so.

However, when you are verified: it allows you to openly respond to customer reviews, access messaging tools, and much more.

There are five ways to get your listing validated:

• Via phone: Your verification code will be automatically sent to your phone or text by Google.
• Via email: You will receive an email with your verification code on it.
• By postcard: A postcard will be delivered to the address you provided. When you log in to your account, you will enter the five-digit code on your postcard. If your business does not have a physical presence, you will need to provide your personal address for verification.
• Through video recording: You need to record a video demonstrating your location, business equipment, and that you are an authorized management of the company.
• A live video call: Show the same proof for the video recording during a live call with a support rep.

If the available verification options for your company do not work for you, you can contact the Google Business Profile team via their support center.

Step 7: Add All the Details 

Google allows you 750 characters to quickly describe your business. Include as much information and media as possible, but keep it simple, easy and understandable for your target market. According to their requirements, your business description should include the following:

• Your products or services.
• Your distinctive selling proposition
• Your history
• Anything else searchers might find useful (for example, “wheelchair accessible,” “free wifi”, good for kids, USP of your CBD business), and other details 

This is your chance to tell prospective clients about your company, where it is, and how they can purchase what you have to offer.

Check your business description with Grammarly or another spelling and grammar checker after you’ve finished writing it. If there are mistakes in your company name or profile, Google may suspend Google Business Profiles.

Also, Google serves search results using a range of signals, much like traditional website SEO. S, including crucial keywords and search phrases in your business listing will be extremely beneficial. 

Step 8: Add the High-Resolution Media

According to Google, businesses that include photographs or videos receive 35% more website hits and 42% more requests for driving directions in Google Maps.

Photos or videos should be at least 720 pixels wide by 720 pixels in size and saved in JPG or PNG format.

• One of the most significant aspects of your Google Business Profile listing is the cover photo, which appears first and foremost.
• Your profile photo is displayed when you upload new images, videos, or review responses.
• In addition to your profile and cover photographs, you can and should include inside and exterior shots of your CBD store to make your listing more comprehensive and engaging.
• Images of the CBD products or services you provide.
• You may also use images to show off the employees at work, which will boost the legitimacy of your CBD business.
• If you have a rate card for various CBD products and services, you can include photographs of them.
• You can use interactive, short videos to highlight your CBD store, merchandise, and other offerings on your GMB page.

Step 9: Don’t Forget the Customer Reviews 

Not only does your GMB listing enable you to engage with potential consumers, but it also encourages them to provide feedback about your company.

Since the CBD market is heavily regulated and consumers require some form of assurance before visiting your CBD shop or visiting your website, positive reviews will increase the trustworthiness of your business.

On the other hand, you must always communicate with clients by answering both positive and negative evaluations. Google encourages businesses to engage with their customers and reply to feedback. 

Furthermore, “high-quality, positive reviews from your customers will improve your business’s visibility and improve the likelihood of a potential customer visiting your location or purchasing from your website.” And, replying to negative reviews demonstrates that you appreciate your consumers’ opinions.

Step 10: It is Completed, but keep it updated! 

Well, we are here and it’s done. The GMB page process for your CBD business is completed. But, it doesn’t stop there – you need to keep everything updated. This means regularly adding the right pictures, responding to customer reviews, and handling all the details in between. 

By consistently updating your profile with fresh content and engaging with your customers, you ensure your business stays relevant and appealing. 

Keeping your information accurate, posting timely updates, and interacting with your audience builds trust and enhances your online presence, making it easier for potential customers to find and choose your CBD business.

To Conclude 

Here’s a wrap on the ultimate guide to creating a Google Business Profile (GMB) page for your CBD business. We hope this has provided you with the insights and steps needed to create a stellar profile that boosts your online visibility, attracts more customers, and strengthens your brand presence. 

By following these tips, you’re well on your way to maximizing your business’s potential and standing out in the competitive CBD market. 

Now, while you have set up your GMB page and are looking to streamline your transactions and business operations – you can connect with us at CBD Merchant Solutions. We are a reliable, CBD-compliant, best-in-class CBD payment processing solutions provider. 

To know more about us, reach out to us & we’ll help you out.