How to create, verify, or claim your Google My Business listing: A practical guide to improving your business's online presence. For any local business, being present and clearly visible on Google Maps is essential. The first step to doing this is to create or claim your Google My Business listing, which is now integrated into Google Business Profile. This free tool allows you to manage your business's public information, making it accessible to local searchers. Creating a card is simple, but it's important to do it correctly to ensure its effectiveness. Verification is necessary to prove that you own and to have full control over the content you post. If the listing already exists but isn't managed by you, you can also claim it, following an official process. Having a complete and verified listing improves your ranking in local search results. 📝 Creating a new card: first steps and basic settings. To get started, sign in with a Google account and go to Google Business Profile. From there, you can enter the name of the business, select the main category, and complete the contact details. It is important to fill in each field accurately and consistently. 👉 What to do and useful tips: use a name identical to the one on signs and official documents, to avoid errors in the publication of the sheet. 📍 Enter the address and coverage area: targeted local visibility. When creating, you can enter your physical address or indicate a service area if you are working at home. This data is essential to appear correctly on Google Maps. 👉 What to do and useful tips: check that the address is consistent with that reported on other digital channels such as website or social media. 📞 Contact details: make your business easily reachable. Entering a valid phone number and, if available, the company website, helps users to contact you easily. It is a key element in increasing conversions and user trust. 👉 What to do and useful tips: use an active and monitored number, so as not to miss contact opportunities. 📦 Select the category: fundamental element for positioning. Choosing your primary category helps Google show your listing to people searching for similar services in your area. You can also add subcategories, but the main one has more relevance. 👉 Do's and useful tips: choose categories that are precise and consistent with the services you offer, avoiding generic options. 🔒 Board verification: How to prove ownership. Once the registration is complete, you need to verify the card. Google will send a postcard code to your business address. In some cases, phone or email verifications are also available. 👉 Do's and helpful tips: Check your mailing address for accuracy before submitting your verification request to avoid delays. 📩 Receipt of the verification code: times and methods. The verification card usually arrives within 5-12 working days. Once you have received the code, it must be entered in the appropriate section of the form to complete the procedure. 👉 Do's and useful tips: Do not change your address after the request, otherwise the code will be invalid and you will have to request it again. 🔄 Claim an existing listing: When your business is already online. If you find a listing on your business on Google that's already active but not managed by you, you can claim it. Click on "Are you the owner of this business?" and follow the wizard to request access. 👉 Do's and helpful tips: Provide consistent data and documentation to make it easier for Google to approve your request. 📤 Upload images and logo: Complete the card professionally. After verification, you can enrich the card with photos of the location, team and products. Adding your logo reinforces your visual identity and improves your perception of your business. 👉 Do's and useful tips: Use bright, up-to-date images that best represent your service or work environment. 🧭 Add opening hours: clarity for customers. Accurately indicating opening hours avoids misunderstandings and improves customer satisfaction. Special hours for holidays or events can also be updated. 👉 What to do and useful tips: check periodically that the timetables are updated, especially in case of seasonal or temporary changes. 🖊️ Activity description: Tell who you are effectively. Your business description allows you to communicate what you offer, your experience, and your values. It's a useful space to enter keywords and phrases that improve your visibility in local searches. 👉 What to do and useful tips: use key terms related to your area and sector, such as "florist in Perugia" or "gym in central Turin". 🛎️ Configure contact options: bookings, messages, and links. You can enable features that allow users to call, type, or book directly from the card. They are practical tools for increasing interaction and improving conversion rates. 👉 Do's and useful tips: Make sure all your links are working properly and are always up to date. 📢 Start posting and updates: Make the tab active. After verification, you can use the "Posts" section to post news, offers, or news. This keeps the card alive and informative for those looking for you. 👉 Do's and useful tips: Post weekly content with images and calls to action to pique customer interest. 🔁 Change and manage the card over time: continuous updates. A Google My Business listing is not static. It must be updated according to changes in your business: new hours, services, images or descriptions. Active management improves your position in local results. 👉 Do's and useful tips: Check your listing every month and respond to reviews to maintain a good relationship with customers. ⚠️ Fix problems: duplicate tabs or incorrect information. If you find multiple listings of your business or errors in the view, you can report them and request correction. Google provides tools to unify listings or edit their content. 👉 Do's and helpful tips: Use the "Report a Problem" feature and provide documented evidence to speed up the remediation process. 🧾 Conclusion: Why it is important to create and test the board. A verified and up-to-date listing is an essential tool for being found online, gaining trust, and attracting new customers. Google favors local businesses that carefully take care of their profile. 👉 Do's and useful tips: Spend time managing your Google My Business listing as an integral part of your online visibility strategy. Creating, verifying, or claiming your Google My Business listing is a must-have step in improving your visibility on Google Maps and being found by customers in your area. With just a few steps, you can check the information, communicate directly, and increase the credibility of your business. On Youritaly.it you will find tips and resources to enhance your online presence in the local Italian landscape.