Best Practices for Adding a Second Location on Your Google Business Profile
Expanding your business to a second location is an exciting milestone, and ensuring it has a strong online presence is crucial for attracting local customers. One of the best ways to do this is by properly setting up and managing a second location on your Google Business Profile (GBP). A well-optimized GBP listing increases visibility, improves local search rankings, and helps customers find accurate information about your business.
Let’s cover best practices for adding and optimizing a second location on your Google Business Profile.
Ensure Eligibility for a Second Location
Before adding a second location, confirm that it meets Google's guidelines for a legitimate business location.
The new location must have:
- A physical address (even if it’s a service-area business, you’ll need a base location)
- Staff or a presence at the location during business hours
- Unique contact details, if possible, to distinguish it from the first location
If your second location is a virtual office or does not have a dedicated presence, it may not qualify for a separate Google Business Profile listing.
Create and Verify Your New Location
Adding a Second Location
1. Log in to your Google Business Profile account.
2. Click on the “Manage Locations” tab in the left-hand menu.
3. Select the “Add a Business” button.
4. Enter the new location’s name, address, and contact details.
5. Choose the correct category that best describes your business.
Verification Process
Google requires verification to ensure the legitimacy of your new location. Verification methods may include:
- Postcard Verification: Google sends a postcard with a code to your business address.
- Phone or Email Verification: Available for some businesses based on Google’s discretion.
- Instant Verification: If you have already verified another location in the same account, instant verification may be available.
Completing the verification process promptly ensures your listing goes live faster.
Maintain Consistency Across Locations
Consistency is key for local SEO and brand trust. Ensure that your business details remain uniform across all locations:
- Business Name: Use the same name unless legally required to differentiate (e.g., adding city names for franchises).
- Website URL: If you have a multi-location website, use a location-specific landing page.
- Business Hours: Keep hours accurate and updated, including special holiday hours.
- Phone Number: If possible, use a unique local phone number for each location.
Optimize Each Location for Local SEO
A well-optimized profile improves your search ranking and visibility.
Follow these strategies:
Use Location-Specific Keywords
- Include the city or neighborhood in your business description and services.
- Update your website to reflect each location’s local relevance.
Add High-Quality Photos
- Upload images of the new location, including the storefront, interior, and team.
- Use clear, well-lit images that showcase the customer experience.
Encourage Customer Reviews
- Ask satisfied customers at the new location to leave reviews.
- Respond promptly to all reviews, whether positive or negative, to build engagement and trust.
Utilize Google Business Profile Features
Google Posts
Regularly update each location with posts about promotions, events, or business updates to engage with your audience.
Q&A Section
Monitor and answer questions from potential customers to provide accurate information about your new location.
Attributes and Services
Ensure that each location has the correct business attributes, such as "Women-Owned," "Wheelchair Accessible," or "Curbside Pickup," based on what is available at that location.
Create a Location Page on Your Website
Each location should have a dedicated page on your website. This helps both users and search engines differentiate and optimize each location.
What to Include on Your Location Page
- Business name, address, and phone number
- A Google Map embed of the location
- Location-specific services and offerings
- Customer testimonials for that location
- A clear CTA (Call to Action) for booking or visiting
Leverage Google Ads for Multi-Location Visibility
If your business operates in competitive areas, consider running Google Ads with location extensions.
This will:
- Show ads to users near each business location.
- Direct users to the closest location page.
- Highlight store hours and contact information in search results.
Monitor and Maintain Your Listings
Once your second location is live, regularly check for:
- Any unauthorized changes (Google may update information based on third-party sources).
- Outdated business hours or incorrect contact details.
- Customer reviews and questions that need responses.
Use the Google Business Profile Manager to monitor and manage multiple locations efficiently.
Adding a second location to your Google Business Profile is a powerful way to expand your reach and attract more customers. By following these best practices, ensuring eligibility, optimizing for SEO, and maintaining consistency, you can maximize your online visibility and grow your business effectively.
If you need help managing multiple locations or optimizing your Google Business Profile, consider professional GBP optimization services to ensure your listings remain competitive and fully optimized.
