Optimising Your Google My Business Profile

Google My Business is a powerful tool that often gets forgotten about when people set up a business. However, if you want to be found on Google Maps, for example, then it is vital. You want to make it easy for potential customers and clients to find your business. For that reason, optimising your Google My Business profile is a must.

There have been some changes made to the way Google My Business works recently. This may impact businesses that rely on co-working spaces or shared offices. We are going to run through these changes with you, as well as giving you some tips on how to fully optimise your GMB profile. 

Reasons For GMB Suspension

If your business address doesn’t have clear signage that includes your company name, you may be in danger of being delisted from Google My Business. The same applies if you are unable to receive visitors during business hours for whatever reason. Using a coworking space address isn’t the only reason why a GMB account may be suspended.  Here are some more common reasons:

1. Your company only has a P.O. box address
2. Using a virtual office / shared workspace address (that does not include a registered business address)
3. Using an address that has already been used for other GMB listings
4. Displaying a residential address for a service area business
5. The GMB is for a business that offers a service within a building not owned by the company itself. For example, a personal trainer offering classes at a local gym.

Before you can consider optimising your Google My Business profile you need to deal with why google has suspended you.

Steps To Ensure Compliance

The first thing to address is why you aren’t meeting the requirements set out by Google. This should be visible on your login panel for GMB – Google will usually clearly say why your business is not eligible to be shown. If your business is using an address at a virtual office or coworking space and doesn’t meet the new rules, that is probably why your account has been suspended.

That isn’t to say it is impossible to get your business relisted again, you will just have to make a few changes to your profile. Most virtual office providers, such as Venture Offices, will include a registered business address within their packages, so you won’t have to worry about being penalised by Google. If you would like any further information about the services we provide for businesses, please contact us today.