How do you update your GMB listing if you are moving the business?
- At least three months ahead run a Google search for the new business address. If there are any problems with the new address (directions, address, map features, etc) submit feedback to Google. Changes can take several weeks or more.
- Once you are officially operating your new business just updated your current listing. Do not create a new listing, just update your current Google Business Profile information.
- Ensure the appropriate business categories and business hours are selected
How do you update your GMB listing if you are selling your business?
- Send the listing access to the new owner so they can now control the public information
- If you are just selling the location, simply delete the location from you GMB account.
How do you update your GMB listing if you are buying your business?
- If the new business is going to be radically different (naming, branding, operation changes) then just create and claim a new business.
- If your business will not be changing much then just get access to control the listing. You will inherit all the current ratings and reviews.
- If the previous owner is not able to provide you with access, you can request access via Google.
When looking for local goods and services, potential customers want to experience as little friction as possible. They want to be able to find your physical location, hours, and customer reviews with a simple Google search. Utilizing Google Busines Profile (GBP or formerly known as Google My Business) to manage your listings helps streamline this process, bringing more eyeballs and foot traffic to your location.
But what happens if your business moves to another location? What if you sell your business or buy/merge with another one? In any of these events, your GMB listings will not magically change. You must be proactive, know how to edit your business on Google, and update your listings as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may lose online visibility and consumer trust, causing you to miss out on sales and new leads.
Fortunately, updating your listings is straightforward with GMB. To help get you started, here are the steps you should take if you are moving, buying, or selling.
Updating Your Listings When Moving Your Business
If you are moving your business, the more you can plan ahead, the better. At least three months in advance of the move, run a Google search on the new address. Doing this will give you insight into some key Google Search and Maps information such as:
- Does Google Street View accurately represent the location?
- Are nearby streets mapped correctly?
- Do driving directions work properly in Google Maps?
Google Maps and Street View operate separately from Google My Business. Therefore, if you encounter problems with directions, physical address, or map features, you must submit feedback to Google, which may take several weeks or more to yield any changes. This is why checking these features well in advance is so critical.
Then, once you are officially operating out of your new location, you must update the address of your current GMB listing. It is important that you do not create a new listing, but simply update your current GMB information. Otherwise, you may create a duplicate listing, which can confuse and mislead customers. For more information on editing your Google My Business when you move, read this.
Updating Your Listings when Selling Your Business or Location
If you decide to sell your business and/or the location you are currently managing, you have a couple of options in terms of updating your business listing. You can send access to the GMB listing to the new owner so they now have control over the public information. Or, if you are simply selling the location (or it is demolished, etc.), you can simply delete the location from your GMB account.
Updating Your Listings When Buying a Business
Lastly, there are many things to consider if you are buying a business, such as naming, branding, and changes in operations. If the new business will be vastly different in any of these areas, it’s best to create and claim your new business on Google that reflects its new identity. If you were to inherit the previous business listing but are making core business and branding changes, you may not appear in the most relevant searches.
On the other hand, if the business will not be changing that much in these ways once you take over, you can keep the current GMB listing. Keep in mind, however, that you will also inherit any previous ratings and reviews. You will, of course, need access to the listing. If the previous owner was not able to transfer access to you, you can request access within Google Business Profile. If the owner does not respond within this timeframe or denies your request, you can still appeal or claim the listing through Google. For more information on requesting ownership of a listing, read this.
Consolidate and Streamline Your Local Listing Management
Keeping your business listings up to date on a regular basis is crucial whenever your business undergoes a major change in original location or ownership. For businesses with multiple locations across various regions, managing these GMB listings is even more challenging.
This is why it is helpful to hire a reliable local listings management vendor. They will help you keep track of all your locations and information, ensures the right primary category is selected, alert you when anything is out of date, incorrect or not working, update major providers and directories (as well as niche ones), check for duplicate listings, and more.
