How to claim my business on “Google My Business” in Dubai?

What is GMB (Google My Business)?

GMB or “Google My Business” is a service from Google which gives the business owner an access to edit his business in Google. Have you ever noticed that sometimes, Google suggests companies and retails right in your search page? That information for each company comes from the GMB. Below you can see an example of restaurants in Dubai:

Why GMB is important for my business?

GMB is important for you if you have a local company or retail. First, users will trust your company if they find that it is verified in Google. Secondly, users can get a lot of useful information from your company right from there. For example, they can find out your timing, your website, your location and read the reviews about your business.

GMB is also critical for your Local SEO. If you want to know more about the “Local SEO” we suggest you read the “What is the Local SEO” article in our blog.

How GMB can Help my Business?

There are different features in GMB which can improve your business account in Google. You can add photos, reply to the reviews and questions, inform people of an event or something important, indicate your location, place your website link, introduce your products and many more things. This is true that a business without GMB cannot survive any more in Dubai (Unless your business’ customers are extremely offline!). If you have a business or retail in Dubai/UAE and you have not applied for GMB, you should do it as soon as possible.

How can I claim my business in Google?

You can claim your business in “Google MY Business” service.

1. First, you need to have a Gmail because your business account will be linked to a Gmail later.
2. Then you need to provide some information about your business in GMB section. This information includes your business name, location, services and products, photos, logo and so on.
3. After that Google will try to verify your business. It is important for Google to understand that you own the business because you will be the one who can access the business account. To verify your account, Google uses different methods:
   • Google send you a parcel with a code. You will receive the parcel on your declared business location. After receiving the parcel, all you need to do is to enter the code into your account. It takes more than a month to receive the parcel in Dubai.
   • Google’s agent will give you a video call to see the environment and your business place. This would be a quicker way, but Google will decide which option to use.
   • In some cases, Google will ask for some documents to approve your business such as rental contract or business license. They asked even for a Car registration Card one time when we were verifying someone’s account.

    

   Bear in mind that the decision of how your account would be verified is up to Google. However, if a method is impossible for you, they understand and will change their method based on that.

4. After verifying your business, your account status will be “Pending Review”. Pending review from GMB would take around 3 working days however it might take up to 2 weeks.
5. After this step your Business will go LIVE and would be accessible for all the users. You have also access to your GMB to update the data for your business.

Keep in mind that during this process you can always keep in touch with GMB support, they are extremely helpful and responsive.

How long does it take to get access to my business in Google?

That depends on the Google. If they decide to use the parcel method to verify your account, you should expect at least 6 weeks for the verification. Other methods would be much faster. In General, you should expect the whole process to be done from 2 weeks up to 2 months if your business is in Dubai/UAE.

Does Websima DMCC have a service to claim my business on behalf of me in GMB?

The answer is Yes. Websima DMCC can claim your business in Dubai/UAE on behalf of you. In this case all you need to do is send us the required information which will be provided by us. The rest will be done by our company and once your business account is verified, we will also have a training session for you to work easily with your GMB.

Feel free to contact us if you need more information regarding this service.