Launching a business is both exciting and daunting. For Notaries, being a solopreneur gives you the freedom to be your own boss, set your own hours, and run things the way you see fit.
But there are challenges, too — ones that can impact how quickly you can get your business off the ground and start generating income. For me, one of those was setting up a Google Business Profile.
The time it takes to get a Business Profile running depends on how prepared you are and Google’s verification process. You can’t control Google, but there are things you can do to be more efficient. Start by answering these seven questions.
- What’s your business name?
- What’s your business category?
- Do you need a business address?
- What number should customers call?
- What are your business hours?
- Where can people learn more about you?
- How do you want to verify your business?
1. What’s your business name?
If you’re like me, you probably brainstormed pages and pages of possible names and spent days whittling them down to the ONE.
Before you rush to claim that business name on Google, you need to decide on a business structure for your company. You’ll then want to find out from your state or county how to officially file and record your business. You should also check with your city to see what license and/or permit requirements you need to satisfy.
2. What’s your business category?
This one’s simple. You’re a Notary. Your business category should be “Notary Public,” right?
If your business is built around offering many different services, maybe not. By knowing which service is your primary and choosing the category that accurately represents your business, Google can better showcase it in relevant searches.
Something else to consider: According to Google, it’s possible to have two or more Business Profiles with the same address if each business has its own name and phone number.
3. Do you really need a business address?
Mobile Notaries who don’t intend on receiving customers in their homes might struggle with this question.
The short answer is yes, you need to enter an address so Google can verify that your business is legitimate. A P.O. box or retail mailbox address is not acceptable.
But don’t worry! Since mobile Notaries function as service-area businesses, you’re allowed to hide your address from the public. When filling out your Business Profile, simply select “No” when prompted to add a location that customers can visit. You’ll then select your service area on a map.
4. What number should customers call?
While it’s a best practice to separate your personal expenses from your business expenses, if you’re just starting out, maintaining a single phone line might make better financial sense.
However, if you decide to invest in a separate phone number, you’ll want to weigh all your options. Should you get a separate business phone with its own line? Or set up a second number on an existing phone?
No matter what you decide, make sure your phone line is working as intended before putting it into your Business Profile. Services like Google Voice let you receive calls to a different phone number on your current phone, but the setup can be tricky.
5. What are your business hours?
If your Notary business is full-time, your hours are likely very regular, like a typical brick-and-mortar. And that’s great!
But if you offer Notary services part-time, establishing consistent business hours — even if it’s only a few hours on evenings and weekends — will help a lot.
That’s because providing accurate and complete information when creating your Google Business Profile is a must. This could boost your credibility and set clear expectations with potential customers.
You can also add holiday or special hours in a separate section to let customers know when you’re not available. It’s a great way to balance your work life and stay transparent.
6. Where can people learn more about you?
Today, having an online presence for your business is essential. If you have an official business website, you’ll want to link to it in your Business Profile. This can drive organic traffic to your site, which boosts your site’s authority.
If you don’t have your own website, an alternative is to link to a profile listing for an online directory service like FindaNotary.com.
Whether you have a website or a profile link, including it in your Google Business Profile will help customers find out more about you and the services you offer.
7. How do you want to verify your business?
Google will need time to verify your business, and they may require more than one verification method. But you do have a choice, and it’s best to make an informed one.
Mail: Per Google, it can take up to 14 days for you to receive the verification code postcard. This might work for you if the other options don’t.
Phone or text: This option only works if your business phone is set up and you can answer the call without it going to voicemail or if you can respond to texts.
Email: This might work for you if you’ve established a business email address and check it on a timely basis.
Live video call or video recording: You’ll need to show proof of your business location like your address or street name, operational items like marketing materials or business equipment, and examples to prove that you manage the space you operate in.
Google will often review the verification, which can take an additional seven business days before your profile goes live. They’ll let you know if additional verifications are needed.
A Google Business Profile takes time, but it’s worth it!
While there are many reasons why you should have a Google Business Profile, creating one takes preparation and patience, and it doesn’t happen overnight.
So, before you start filling out a Google Business Profile, try to have the following pieces of information ready:
- Your business name
- Your business category
- A business address
- A phone number
- Your business hours
- A business website or URL
- Choice of verification method
Keep in mind that Google is constantly changing things. For example, when I went through verification, a live video call was not an option. Hopefully, the process will get simpler and faster. But for now, the more prepared you are, the more time you’ll save. And time, as you know, is money.
James Berry serves Notaries and customers who visit NNA’s headquarters. In addition, he is the founder of Sterling Signing & Notary.