Setting Up Google Business Profile – Existing Unclaimed Profile

An unclaimed business profile may have incorrect or outdated information. As a result, your business could lose potential clients, calls, and visits to your website or office

Approximate Read Time: 4 Minutes

As discussed in a previous post, Google Business Profile is an essential tool for both large and small businesses. You may come across existing profiles for your business that you do not control or manage. Having an unclaimed Google Business Profile is risky and may severely impact your online presence because incorrect information or an incomplete profile could lead to a loss of potential clients.

In this post, we will address how you can claim an existing unclaimed Google Business Profile to give you control over the profile. You must:

1. Create your new profile.
2. Verify your profile

Claim Your Existing Profile

If you find an active Google Business Profile for your business and notice that you do not have control over it, you need to claim it. Once it is successfully claimed, you can manage the information and fully update the profile by entering your most important business information (business name, phone number, and address).

There are two scenarios in which you may not have control over a profile: (1) the profile is unclaimed, or (2) someone is already managing your business profile. In this post, we will go over the process to claim your profile when it has not been claimed.

Unclaimed Profile

If the profile is unclaimed, you will be directed to the google.com/business page, where you should click on the “Own this business?” button. See the picture below:

You will then be given the option to manage the business profile. Once you click the “Manage now” button, Google will ask you to confirm or update the information on the profile.

First, you’ll need to confirm or select the category that best fits your business.

For lawyers, there is a wide variety of categories, including specific legal practice categories: administrative attorney, bankruptcy attorney, civil law attorney, criminal justice attorney, district attorney, divorce lawyer, elder law attorney, employment attorney, estate planning attorney, family law attorney, immigration attorney, insurance attorney, labor relations attorney, medical lawyer, patent attorney, personal injury attorney, real estate attorney, social security attorney, tax attorney, and trial attorney.

There are also general legal practice categories: general practice attorney, lawyer, law firm, and legal services.

Second, enter your business address and click on “Next.” If Google cannot locate the address on the map, you will need to confirm the location by manually moving a pin on the map to your address.

Third, you will be asked whether you serve clients outside your business location. If you do, you’ll need to choose a service area. Serving your clients outside your office location is optional, and you can list more than one service area.

Finally, you’ll need to enter your business phone number and website address. This information is needed to allow clients to contact you regarding your legal services.

Once you have entered or confirmed your law firm’s profile information, you will need to verify the profile by phone, text, or postcard, as described in the next section.

Verify Your Profile

You must verify your business profile to manage your business information and make sure that your profile appears on Google Maps, Search, and other Google properties.

There are four ways to verify your Google Business Profile:

• Via phone (text message or call)
• Via email
• Via postcard by regular mail
• Via video call

Note: Some options might not be available for certain businesses.

Verification by Phone (Available for Select Businesses)

Some businesses are eligible to receive a verification code by phone. If your business profile is eligible, you’ll see the “Verify by phone” option when you request verification.

Step 1: Make sure that the phone number shown is correct and select “Call” or “Text.”

Step 2: You will receive an automated call or text message from Google that will deliver a five-digit or six-digit code.

Step 3: Enter the verification code on the Google web page.

Verification by Email (Available for Select Businesses)

Email verification isn’t available for most businesses. If you don’t see this option when you attempt to verify, use another method. If this option is available, follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Make sure that the email address is correct and select “Email.”

Step 2: Go to your email and find the Google Business Profile email with the verification code.

Step 3: Enter the verification code on the Google web page.

Verification by Postcard

If you choose this method, Google will send a postcard with a verification code to your law firm’s address. The postcard should arrive at your business location within 14 days. Before you request to verify your profile by postcard, make sure that your business address complies with Google’s quality guidelines.

Step 1: Make sure that the business address is correct and enter a contact name to whom the postcard will be addressed.

Step 2: Select “Mail.” Please note that the postcard may take up to 14 days to arrive.

Step 3: Once the postcard arrives at your business location, go to google.com/business and select “Verify Now.”

Step 4: Google will ask for the five-digit verification code sent in the postcard. Enter the code and select “Submit.”

Verification by Video

This is a new method offered by Google Support and can’t be manually selected. This method involves joining a live video call with a Google Support specialist from your workplace to show them where you get your work done. This will include showing the specialist around your work space, your business logo, and the tools you use. If you meet customers on your premises, they will want to see your public space as well.

For this type of verification, you will have to install the Meet Application on your mobile or any other device that you would use for a video call.

Conclusion

Claiming an existing profile is a simple task that can be carried out within minutes. Getting your Google Business Profile up and running with accurate and up-to-date information will help boost your visibility and attract new clients.

At Justia, we can help you set up your Google Business Profile and optimize it to help your business get the most from your profile. If you are interested in improving your Google Business Profile, contact us today to learn more about our exclusive GBP services for lawyers with our Justia Amplify Advance plans.

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