Is Google My Business Free? The Ultimate Guide for Business Owners

If you’re a business owner trying to grow your business online, you’ve probably come across Google My Business (GMB), now called Google Business Profile. One of the most common questions is: Is Google My Business free? The simple answer is yes.

What is Google My Business (GMB)?

Google My Business is a free tool that allows businesses to manage their presence on Google Search and Google Maps. By setting up a GMB listing, businesses can share information such as:

• Business name and category

• Physical address or service area

• Phone number and website link

• Operating hours

• Photos and videos

• Customer reviews

• Posts and updates

Having a fully optimised GMB profile improves visibility in local searches, helping potential customers find your business quickly and easily. 

How many times do you notice companies pop up in the maps when looking for a service? You can be one of those companies if you take the leap and set up your GMB listing today. 

Does Google My Business Cost Anything?

GMB is completely free. The only service that will cost you is Google Ads or Local Service Ads, which is managed in a different dashboard. You won’t be at risk of spending money when you set up a GMB listing.

Why Every Business Should Have a Google My Business Listing

How many times do you click on the first company that pops up in Google Maps or Search Results? Plenty I bet. 

Having a GMB listing will help grow your online visibility and help you connect with customers locally all for free. 

There’s no doubt they’ll get rewarded with new clients if you keep your listing updated and fully optimised. Weekly updates can captivate readers - giving them the opportunity to learn more about your business. 

A GMB listing gives you a space online to collect customer reviews - which can result in more customers. 

1. Improves Local Search Visibility

2. Engages Customers More Effectively

3. Builds Brand Trust with Reviews

4. Provides Insights and Analytics

Who Can Create a Google My Business Listing?

GMB is available to businesses that have a physical location or serve customers in a specific geographic area.

However, online-only businesses without a physical presence or service area are not eligible for a GMB listing.

If in the future you need to change your address, you’ll be required to carry out further verification - likely to be a business video call to confirm your location.

How to Optimise Your Google My Business Listing

Creating a GMB profile is just the first step – to get the most out of it, you need to optimise your listing. Here’s how:

1. Keep Your Business Information Accurate

2. Add High-Quality Images

3. Collect and Respond to Reviews

4. Publish Regular Updates

5. Use Keywords Strategically

6. Enable Messaging

7. Monitor Performance with Insights

GMB has recently launched their chat feature, allowing potential customers to contact you through WhatsApp or text.

Are you still questioning if Google My Business is free? Get in touch today and I can guide you through our listing to give you more insight on how GMB works.

Final Thoughts

Google My Business is a powerful (and free) tool for businesses looking to improve their online presence. While Google offers paid options for additional exposure, a well-optimised GMB profile can drive traffic and generate leads without any cost. It’s a win-win!

If you need help optimising your GMB listing to boost local visibility, SEO Muse is here to assist. Contact me today to get the most out of your online presence!