So you’ve claimed your Google Business Profile—nice work. But honestly, the real effort starts now.

Just claiming your profile doesn’t magically make your Brazoria County business more visible or bring in a flood of new customers.

The real key is verifying your ownership, filling out every detail, and actually keeping your online presence fresh and active. Lots of folks in Brazoria County think just claiming the listing is enough, but leaving it half-finished or letting it go stale can actually hurt your local search ranking.

Your Google Business Profile needs regular attention if you want people to find you. Upload sharp photos, respond to reviews, check your business insights, and always keep your info up to date.

Key Takeaways

• Verify your business ownership and fill out all profile sections for maximum local search visibility
• Add great photos, respond to reviews, and keep your business info fresh to engage customers
• Watch your profile’s performance and tweak things to stay competitive in Brazoria County’s local search results

Confirm Your Ownership and Google Account Access

After you claim your Google Business Profile, make sure you verify your ownership and set up the right account permissions. You’ll want full control over your info—and you need to know who else can access your profile.

Verify Business Profile Ownership

You’ve got to finish the verification process to really own your Google Business Profile. Verifying your business on Google lets you edit your hours, contact info, and more.

Google uses a few different ways to verify:

• Postcard verification: They mail you a postcard with a code to your business address
• Phone verification: Get a code by call or text
• Email verification: Code sent to your business email
• Instant verification: For some businesses already connected to Google

Most folks in Brazoria County get the postcard—it usually takes about a week. Check your dashboard for updates.

Once you’re verified, you can update hours, add photos, reply to reviews, and post updates. Your account will show “Verified” next to your business name.

Manage Google Account Permissions

Your Google account is the gatekeeper for your business profile. You can give manager access to staff or agencies, but keep ownership for yourself.

Here’s how to add managers:

1. Log in to your Google Business Profile Manager
2. Pick your business location
3. Click “Users” on the left
4. Hit “Add users”
5. Type in their email address
6. Set their permission level

Permission levels:

Role	Can Edit Info	Can Post Updates	Can View Insights
Owner	Yes	Yes	Yes
Manager	Yes	Yes	Yes
Site Manager	Limited	Yes	Yes

If someone leaves or no longer needs access, click the three dots by their name and select “Remove.” Keeps things secure and simple.

Verify Your Business on Google

Google uses several verification methods based on your business type and location. Most new listings in Brazoria County need to do video verification, but sometimes you’ll get phone or email options.

Select Appropriate Verification Method

Google picks which verification methods are available for your profile. You can’t choose, unfortunately.

Video verification is standard for new profiles (especially in 2025). If you just claimed your spot or changed your address, expect this route.

Phone call verification sometimes pops up for businesses that have an old but unclaimed profile. They’ll call your business number.

Email verification is similar. It usually shows up for established listings.

Instant verification is rare, but sometimes Google just knows enough about your business to check you off right away.

Postcard verification by mail is out for new verifications as of 2025. Google dropped it.

Complete the Verification Process

Sign in, click Verify now, and pick your business location if you have more than one.

For video verification, click Start and record a video showing:

• Your business sign (or printed sign)
• Proof you run the place—like unlocking the door or showing the back room
• Business equipment, furniture, or your point-of-sale
• The area around you—nearby buildings or streets

Video verification usually takes 3 to 5 days. Don’t show faces or private documents in your video.

Phone and email verification are almost instant. Google sends a code—just pop it in your dashboard.

Once you’re verified, your business shows up in Google Search and Maps. Now you can start posting updates, uploading photos, and replying to reviews.

Optimize Your Business Listing Information

Accurate info helps customers find you and boosts your local search results in Brazoria County. Start by updating your business name, address, and contact details. Pick the most relevant categories for your business.

Update Business Name and Details

Your business name needs to match your storefront and legal docs—don’t stuff in extra keywords or fluff.

Keep your info consistent everywhere online. That means your name, address, and phone number (NAP) should match up across the board.

Key details to update:

• Business name (exactly as registered)
• Phone number with area code
• Website URL
• Hours of operation
• Business opening date

Adding your opening date can help—Google might show “10+ years in business” if you do.

When your hours change (holidays, events, whatever), update them right away. Accurate hours matter for your local search ranking.

Set Accurate Location and Service Areas

Your business location should be exact—no shortcuts. Even small mistakes (like “North” vs. “N.”) can mess with your search results.

If you get walk-in customers, use your full street address. Make sure it matches everywhere online.

If you’re a service-based business:

• Add service areas if you travel to customers
• List the cities or zip codes you cover
• Set a delivery radius if you offer it

You can add a missing place to Google Maps if your spot doesn’t show up. Handy for folks searching on the map.

If you do both walk-ins and service calls, list your physical address and your service areas.

Choose the Right Business Categories

Your main category is a big deal for your business listing. It decides which searches show your business to people nearby.

Pick the one that fits your main activity best. Only your primary category is visible to customers.

Tips for picking categories:

• Go for the most specific option you can
• Skip broad categories if there’s a better fit
• Don’t use categories for products or services—stick to business types

Add secondary categories to appear in more searches. Customers won’t see these, but it helps your reach.

Most local searches—around 84%—are people browsing, not searching for your business name. The right categories help them find you.

Check for new categories now and then since Google adds them. You can pick up to 10 that fit your business.

Enhance Your Profile With Visuals and Details

Photos, videos, and great descriptions help customers get a feel for your business and can even boost your local SEO. These details make your Google Business Profile more inviting, especially for folks in Brazoria County.

Add High-Quality Photos and Videos

Photos and videos matter—a lot. Adding them makes your profile stand out and helps people recognize your place when they show up.

Upload photos in these categories:

• Exterior photos – Show off your storefront or building
• Interior photos – Let people see your workspace or dining area
• Product photos – Highlight what you do best
• Team photos – Introduce your staff
• Logo – Use your real business logo

Stick with clear, well-lit shots—at least 720 pixels wide. Skip the blurry or dark stuff; it just looks bad.

Videos can give a peek behind the scenes or show your products in action. Keep them short and genuine. Don’t overthink it.

Update your profile with new photos and videos regularly. It helps your SEO and keeps your Brazoria County customers interested.

Write a Compelling Business Description

Your business description gives customers a quick look at what you do and why they might want to choose you over someone else. Keep things clear and focus on your main services or products—no need to overcomplicate it.

Try to include these bits:

• What you offer – List your main products or services
• Your location – Mention Brazoria County or the areas you serve
• What makes you different – Point out what’s unique about your business
• Keywords – Use the words people in Brazoria County are likely to search for

Stick with language everyone understands. Ditch the industry terms—most folks don’t want to wade through jargon.

Aim for 150-300 words. That’s enough to get your point across without losing anyone’s attention.

Using relevant keywords in your description helps your Google Business Profile show up in more local searches. That means more Brazoria County customers might actually find you.

Manage and Respond to Customer Reviews

Customer reviews shape your reputation and can bump you up in search rankings. It’s smart to keep an eye on reviews and find ways to encourage happy customers to share their experiences.

Monitor and Reply to Reviews

You can see your reviews through your Google Business Profile—just hit “Read reviews” on your dashboard. Try to check for new reviews at least twice a week so you don’t miss anything important.

Reply to every review within a day or two, if you can swing it. People notice when you respond, and it shows you actually care about what they have to say.

For positive reviews, keep it short and real:

• Thank the customer by name
• Mention something specific they said
• Invite them back

For negative reviews, stay calm and helpful:

• Let them know you hear their concerns
• Say sorry if something went sideways
• Offer to fix things offline
• Share your contact info

Your Google Business Profile replies show up publicly. Sometimes they take a bit to appear. The reviewer gets notified when you reply and can update their review if they want.

Encourage Customer Feedback

Ask happy customers to leave a review right after a good experience. Timing really matters—catch folks while they’re still pleased.

Easy ways to ask:

• Ask in person at checkout
• Send a follow-up email after a purchase
• Put review requests on receipts
• Add a review link to your email signature

Make it super simple by sharing a direct link to your Google Business Profile review section. You can grab that link from your profile dashboard.

Show your staff how to ask for reviews naturally when things go well. Most people in Brazoria County are happy to help if you ask nicely.

Reviews are essential for your profile ranking and help you build trust in the community. Focus on genuine, regular requests instead of offering rewards for reviews.

Maintain and Monitor Your Business Presence

Keeping your Google Business Profile up to date means checking your info regularly and using Google’s analytics tools. Staying active helps you show up in local search results and keeps customers engaged.

Regularly Update Key Information

Your Google My Business account works best when it’s current. Stuff changes—maybe your hours shift for a holiday, you add a new service, or your contact info needs an update.

Update your business hours as soon as they change. This saves customers from showing up when you’re not open. Pay extra attention around holidays—lots of people search for open businesses then.

Check these every month:

• Business hours and holiday schedules
• Phone numbers and website links
• Service areas and categories
• Photos of your location and products
• Business description and services

Swap in fresh photos every few weeks. Good shots of your storefront, products, or even your team help folks feel connected. Get rid of old photos that don’t show what you offer now.

Update your business description if you add services or change focus. Keep it under 750 characters and work in keywords locals might use.

Utilize Insights and Analytics

Your GBP gives you data on how people find and interact with your business. Google Business Profile insights show what people search, what actions they take, and how your photos are doing.

Check your insights every week or so. Look for patterns—how are people finding you, and what do they do after seeing your profile?

Watch these metrics:

• Search queries that bring people to your profile
• Customer actions (calls, website visits, direction requests)
• Photo views and engagement
• Review trends and response times

Use search query data to tweak your categories and description. If you see people finding you with keywords you hadn’t considered, maybe work those in naturally.

Notice which photos get the most attention. That’s a clue for what customers in Brazoria County want to see more of.

Frequently Asked Questions

After you claim your Google Business Profile, you’ll need to verify it (usually with a postcard or phone). Once you’re in, add photos, reply to reviews, and keep your info up to date.

Why Should I Use SEO My Website Guru?

SEO My Website Guru offers tools and advice for local search optimization in Brazoria County. They help you track and boost your Google Business Profile with features that save time and keep you visible.

Their platform shows you how people find your business online. You can even keep an eye on your local search rankings and see how you stack up against competitors—all in one spot.

They also offer review management and automated posting. It’s handy for keeping your profile active without having to do everything yourself.

How can I optimize my Google Business Profile after claiming it?

Fill out every section—business hours, contact info, services. Add great photos of your business. Businesses with photos get more direction requests, so it’s worth the effort.

Write a detailed business description that mentions Brazoria County and your main services. Pick the most accurate main category and add a few relevant secondary ones.

Post weekly about offers, events, or updates. Add attributes like payment options, accessibility, or amenities if they apply.

Set up messaging so customers can reach you directly. Answer questions in the Q&A section, and add your own FAQs if you get the same ones a lot.

What are the verification steps I need to follow for my claimed business on Google?

Google lets you verify in a few ways, depending on your business. The usual method is postcard verification—you’ll get a code in the mail, usually within two weeks.

Some businesses can use phone verification. You’ll get a code by call or text and enter it right away.

Email verification is an option if your business email is already tied to Google. Occasionally, instant verification works if your website is verified with Search Console.

Video verification is a thing, too—you send a video proving your business is where you say it is. Sometimes, you’ll do a video call with Google.

How do I manage my business information on Google Maps?

Open your Google Business Profile dashboard to update info. Change hours, contact details, or services right in the dashboard.

Keep your hours current, especially for holidays or special events. Add temporary closures if needed.

Check how your business looks in Google Maps search results. Make sure your pin’s in the right spot and your name shows up correctly.

Upload new photos regularly. Delete any old ones that aren’t accurate anymore.

What is the procedure to transfer ownership of a Google My Business account?

Request ownership access if someone else already claimed your business. Fill out the form with your name, your connection to the business, and your contact info.

After you submit, you’ll usually get a response within a few days. If the current manager doesn’t reply or says no, Google gives you other ways to prove you own the business.

Gather paperwork that shows you’re authorized to manage the listing—like registration documents or a signed letter on company letterhead.

You might need to verify your business again after the transfer. Just follow the usual verification steps once you’re the owner.

How can I monitor and respond to reviews on my Google Business Profile?

Check your Google Business Profile dashboard often for new reviews. You’ll get notifications when someone leaves feedback.

Reply to every review, good or bad. Thank people for positive comments, and address concerns politely if someone had a problem.

Keep your responses short and professional. Don’t argue or get defensive in public replies—it never looks good.

Use reviews as a chance to get better. Look for feedback trends that might show where you can improve your business in Brazoria County.

What should I do if my business on Google has been claimed by someone else?

Click “Request Access” if you see a message saying your business is already claimed.

Fill out the ownership request form, and make sure your info is accurate.

You’ll need to show proof that you own or manage the business. Stuff like business licenses, utility bills, or official registration papers usually works for Brazoria County businesses.

After you submit your request, the current profile owner gets a chance to respond. If they say no or ignore you for three days, Google steps in and checks your documentation.

If you’re still stuck after all that, try reaching out to Google support directly. They’re usually pretty helpful when you have the right paperwork in hand.