Setting Up Google My Business Integration

This guide shows you how to connect your Google My Business listing to your Web60 website.

1. Claim Your Google My Business Listing

Before you can integrate anything, you need a Google My Business account. Go to business.google.com and search for your business name. If it appears, click "Claim this business". If not, click "Add your business".

Google will ask you to verify your business by postcard, phone, or email. This usually takes 1-5 days for postcard verification.

2. Get Your Google My Business Information

Once verified, log into your Google My Business dashboard. You'll need specific information from here:

• Your business Place ID (found in the URL when viewing your listing)
• Your Google Reviews link
• Your business address and phone number

3. Add Your Business Hours and Location

In your Web60 dashboard, access your WordPress admin. The easiest way to show your business information is through your website's contact section.

You can add your business hours and location directly to your contact page. This method doesn't require any technical knowledge.

4. Add Google Maps Integration

To show an interactive map with your business location:

1. Go to maps.google.com
2. Search for your business address
3. Click the "Share" button
4. Choose "Embed a map"
5. Copy the HTML code provided
6. In WordPress, add a Custom HTML block to your contact page
7. Paste the embed code

The map will automatically show your Google My Business listing if you've claimed it.

5. Display Google Reviews

To show customer reviews on your website:

1. In Google My Business, go to "Reviews"
2. Click "Get more reviews" to find your review link
3. Copy this link
4. In WordPress, you can add customer reviews and include this link as a "Leave a Review" button

Note: Google doesn't allow automatically pulling reviews into your website without using their official widgets, which have limited customisation options.

6. Add Business Schema Data

Schema data helps Google understand your business information better. Most WordPress themes include basic schema, but you can add more specific business details:

1. In WordPress admin, go to your contact page
2. Add your business name, address, phone number, and opening hours in a clear format
3. Use consistent formatting that matches your Google My Business listing exactly

This information helps Google connect your website to your business listing.

7. Test Your Integration

After setting up:

1. Visit your website's contact page
2. Check that your business hours display correctly
3. Test that your embedded map loads and shows the right location
4. Verify your review link works and goes to the correct Google listing

If something isn't working, double-check that all information matches exactly between your website and Google My Business account.

If you're still stuck with Google My Business integration, contact Web60 support for help with the WordPress setup side of things. For issues with your Google My Business account itself, you'll need to contact Google directly.

FAQ

Q: How long does Google My Business verification take?

A: Postcard verification typically takes 1-5 business days. Phone and email verification (when available) are usually instant.

Q: Can I show Google reviews automatically on my website?

A: Google restricts automatic review display. You can manually copy and paste reviews or link to your Google review page for customers to read them there.

Q: Why isn't my business showing up in Google searches?

A: Make sure your Google My Business listing is verified and complete. It can take several weeks for new listings to appear prominently in local search results.

Q: Do I need to pay Google for a business listing?

A: No, Google My Business is free. Be cautious of scam calls or emails claiming you need to pay for Google listings.

Q: Can I have different opening hours on my website than on Google?

A: You can, but this confuses customers and can hurt your search rankings. Keep business hours consistent across all platforms.

Q: What if my business address changes?

A: Update your Google My Business listing first, then update your website to match. Inconsistent addresses can hurt your local search rankings.

Q: How do I get more Google reviews?

A: Ask satisfied customers directly, include review requests in follow-up emails, and make it easy by providing the direct link to your Google review page.