Atlanta is the business powerhouse of the US. A majority of the premier businesses across the US call Atlanta home. From Coca-Cola, UPS, and Delta to Home Depot, Porsche, and Chick-fil-a, Atlanta features a host of Fortune 500 companies.

Why Do Business in Atlanta?

It’s Business Friendly

The primary reason behind the city’s unprecedented rise in the number of companies swarming it is that it offers the lowest business operating costs. Atlanta offers several incentives, bonds, loans, and grants for businesses that relocate there and assist them in site selection.

Because of these reasons, Business Facilities Magazine ranked the city #1 in growth potential. Whether it’s a technological firm or a healthcare business, growing companies from nearly all business domains are attracted to the region for its strong economic climate. 

Promising Startup Scene

The city is home to several billion-dollar startups in the Southeast. Iconic tech companies, including but not limited to Atlanta Tech Village, Switchyards, and Tech Square Labs. Atlanta’s Tech Village Home is Southeast’s biggest entrepreneurship center.  

Why Businesses in Atlanta Need to Create GMB Accounts

Given that Georgia has the 9th highest number of startup businesses in the US and most of these businesses reside in Atlanta, it goes without saying that while the city is currently the most lucrative spot for new businesses it also offers an extremely tough environment for fresh entrepreneurs.

Studies indicate that 20% of small businesses tend to fail within their first year. The chief reason behind business failure is the lack of implementation of an effective brand-awareness strategy and marketing plan. 

Considering this, the first thing startups should do after setting up their business is to update their business details on online platforms and create an impactful digital presence. Since Google is the most common search engine worldwide, I’d highly recommend you create your GMB account. 

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business is Google’s business listing site that allows businesses to list themselves on it, so other people may identify them and navigate to their website. The tool adds your company profile’s public information on SERPs (search engine results pages) and Google Maps to help people find you online and learn about your products, services, mission, and contact your representatives by using your company’s contact details.  

Your profile on Google My Business doesn’t have to be too fancy or embellished. You just need to stick to the point and establish your brand’s authenticity with only the relevant information. 

How to Create a GMB Account?

1. If you don’t already have a Google account, create a Google account that’s specifically related to your business. A regular Gmail account may also work but can also set up an account with your domain name (i.e., [email protected])
2. Visit the official site, “Google My Business,” and go to Manage Now. Once you set up your account you can manage your business listing, post updates, reply to reviews and even add photos of your business. 
3. After selecting Manage Now, you’ll be prompted to enter your business name. If your business has multiple names, enter the most popular one. 
4. Next, enter your business address. If, however, your business doesn’t have a physical location, you can tick the “I deliver goods and services to my customers”and then select ‘’Hide my address”so Google may hide your address from the listing. 
5. Now, you’ll have to mention your service areas. If you run a service-based business, choose “Specific Areas” and type your targeted regions. If, however, you don’t have a physical office, you can select “Distance around your business location”and add as much distance (in km) as you want to reach out to. 
6. Now, choose your business category. Google will show you a list of different kinds of business when you’ll type a letter. Carefully scroll through all the business types and choose the one that applies to your business.
7. Once you choose your business category, you’ll have to enter your contact details. While this portion is completely optional, it’s best if you mention the contact details as they’ll help you convert more customers.
8. Once you finish entering all the details, Google will send you a postcard to your mentioned address. You just need to enter your name and select “Mail”. You’ll receive a postcard within five business days. Alternatively, Google may send you a PIN code through one of several methods, or may call your listed number. 
9. Once your listing has been set up, optimize it by adding descriptive photos, accumulating keywords in your listing, and regularly engaging with your customer reviews. 

Guest article written by: The author is a business reputation management and SEO professional at Search Berg, an award-winning SEO consultancy Atlanta offering SEO services to businesses. The author specializes in on-page SEO, link building, and providing online reputation management services. Feel free to reach out to their team if you need help in setting up or optimizing your Google My Business account.