Business




Getting Started with GBP
Claiming and verifying your business on Google is essential to making sure your GBP is working for you as a business tool. Here are the steps to follow to get started:
- Open Google Maps.
- Enter your business name in the search bar.
- Click on your business name and then click “Claim this business.”
- Verify this claim through email, phone, text or video. (Note: Once you choose a verification option, this cannot be changed.)
- Wait for verification approval from Google, which may take up to five days.
Once approved, make your pet care business as “searchable” as possible by starting with the basics, which are Business Name, Address, Phone Number, Website, and Hours. Then, specify your business category. Primary and secondary categories will show customers all you have to offer. If you offer boarding, daycare, training and grooming, pick whichever one makes you the most money as your primary. Choices applicable to our industry include Pet Boarding Center, Kennel, Dog Day Care Center, Dog Trainer, and Pet Groomer.
Avoiding Fraud
It’s hard to believe, but other people can fraudulently claim your business. If this happens, follow these steps:
- Click “Own this business?”
- Wait for the “owner”—the fraudster who is squatting on your profile—to approve your request.
- When they fail to grant you access within seven days, appeal through the confirmation email.
Special Hours & Opening Date
Also be sure to include the date you opened for business (or the date you will be opening for business). Google uses this information to let searchers know how long you’ve been around, adding to your credibility. All things being equal, a business with two decades of experience will rank higher than one with two years.
It’s easy to simply drag photos or videos into the interface. When posting photos on your GBP, prioritize those that accurately depict your pet care services and that show off anything that makes your business unique, including any amenities like splash pads or gourmet treats.
Your photos should set the tone for your facility. Posting happy photos of your furry guests at play with a grassy (or turf) background will do better with Google’s algorithm than an off-center photo with a chain-link fence or a parking lot in the background. Just as you have amazing content for Facebook and Instagram that you post at least every week, you should be doing the same for GBP.

Responding to all reviews—even the not-so-great ones—shows current and potential clients that you are attentive and care about their experiences.
Include keywords to help increase how much your profile is displayed to potential clients that are typing “pet grooming” or “dog daycare near me” into their search bar. Among other differentiators to include, use this space to mention if you are a family-owned business, have been in business a long time compared to competitors, or if your business is veteran- or veterinarian-owned. If you train difficult, aggressive dogs, say that here.
GBP’s Questions & Answers section gives you the opportunity to answer frequent or one-off questions from your GBP visitors. First, be sure that you are regularly monitoring your GBP so you can be the one to answer any questions asked by the community. Just as anyone can ask a question, anyone can answer them. You’re better off if you can provide the answer to control the narrative and provide more accurate information than the general public.
Second, feel free to seed the questions. You know your business’ FAQs, so this is the place to add them to your GBP, and then provide the answer. Some examples could include:
- Do you have special accommodations for older dogs while boarding?
- Can I bring my dog’s own bedding?
- What is your staff-to-dog ratio?
- Do pets need to be spayed/neutered before they enter your facility?
- Will you administer medication?

We all know that most of the people who post negative reviews are just plain wrong; they are often totally off-base and often have an axe to grind. But, whatever you do, stay calm, withhold your response for a day to allow yourself a better chance of being unemotional and have a trusted adviser read/edit your response before posting. Also, rest easy that the average consumer takes those reviews with a massive grain of salt when you have a multitude of positive reviews to offset them.
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll likely appear on that coveted map and receive lead-generating clicks without spending a penny.
Duane Carey is the founder and lead strategist at IMPACT Marketing, a digital marketing firm specializing in pet care. With a science background and an MBA in finance, Duane brings a decidedly no-nonsense, bottom-line, and data-driven perspective to marketing for his 50+ pet-care clients throughout the U.S. He can be reached at DCarey@ImpactMarketing.net