HOW TO CREATE GMB ACCOUNT: A Straightforward Guide for Brands, Developers, Startups, and Students

Why should anyone in development or business even care about a Google My Business account?

Let me start with a simple scene.

You build something.
An app. A service. A startup idea. Even a side hustle from your hostel room.

You Google it.

Nothing shows up.

That quiet moment? That’s when reality hits.

This is exactly where HOW TO CREATE GMB ACCOUNT stops being a “marketing thing” and starts becoming a visibility thing. Whether you’re a brand, a developer, a startup founder, or a student learning development in college, Google My Business (now called Google Business Profile) is your public face on the internet.

And no, you don’t need an MBA or marketing degree to get this right.

What exactly is a GMB account (in plain English)?

A GMB account is your digital shopfront on Google.

It shows:

your business name
location (or service area)
phone number
website
photos
reviews
working hours

When someone searches on Google or Maps, this profile often appears before websites.

Think of it like your LinkedIn profile—but for your business, and Google is the recruiter.

If you skip learning HOW TO CREATE GMB ACCOUNT, you’re basically telling Google:
“Don’t worry about showing me.”

Who should create a GMB account?

Short answer: almost everyone.

Longer answer:

Brands wanting local trust
Startups needing early discovery
Developers freelancing or running studios
Students planning future services or startups
Agencies building credibility

Even if you don’t have an office yet, GMB still matters. Google has options for service-area businesses too.

Before you begin: things you must prepare

Don’t rush. Five minutes of prep saves hours later.

You need:

A Google account (Gmail works fine)
Business name (real, consistent, no keyword stuffing)
Address or service area
Phone number
Website (optional, but recommended)

That’s it. No paperwork. No fees.

Step-by-step: HOW TO CREATE GMB ACCOUNT (without confusion)

Let’s walk through this calmly.

Step 1: Go to Google Business Profile

Search “Google Business Profile” on Google and click Manage now.

Step 2: Enter your business name

Type the exact name you use everywhere else.

No extra keywords.
No “Best Digital Marketing Agency in Delhi 24/7”.

Google hates that. And it shows.

Step 3: Choose your business category

This part matters more than people realize.

Choose what you are, not what you sell sometimes.

Software Company
Marketing Agency
Web Developer
IT Services

You can add more services later.

Step 4: Add location or service area

If you serve customers at an address, add it.

If you work remotely or visit clients, choose service-area business.

This is where many developers and freelancers hesitate. Don’t. Google supports this fully.

Step 5: Add contact details

Phone number and website (if available).

Even a basic one-page site helps.

At this stage, HOW TO CREATE GMB ACCOUNT is almost complete—but you’re not visible yet.

Why verification is where most people mess up

Creating the profile is easy.

Visibility depends on HOW TO VERIFY GMB.

Without verification, your profile is like a locked shop.

Understanding HOW TO VERIFY GMB (in simple terms)

Verification tells Google:
“Yes, this business is real. A human exists here.”

Google uses several methods depending on business type and history.

Let’s break them down.

Verification methods you may see

1. Postcard verification

The classic method.

Google sends a postcard with a code to your address.

arrives in 5–14 days
don’t change details while waiting
enter code once received

This is the most common HOW TO VERIFY GMB method.

2. Phone verification

Some businesses get lucky.

Google calls or texts a code instantly.

If you see this option, take it. It’s faster than instant noodles.

3. Email verification

Available for selected categories.

Google emails a code to your business email.

Simple. Clean. Rare.

4. Video verification

Newer method.

You record a short video showing:

your location
signage
access proof (like keys or workspace)

This HOW TO VERIFY GMB method is common for service businesses and agencies.

Tips to avoid verification rejection

This part saves headaches.

Don’t change name or address during verification
Use a real address, not fake locations
Match website details with GMB info
Avoid VPNs during setup

Google is strict, not stupid.

What happens after successful verification?

Once HOW TO VERIFY GMB is complete, your profile goes live.

Now you can:

appear on Google Maps
collect reviews
post updates
add photos
track calls and views

This is where most people stop. That’s a mistake.

Optimizing your profile (the part nobody tells beginners)

Creating is step one. Optimizing is what brings results.

Add:

real photos (office, work, team)
services with descriptions
business hours (update on holidays)
short posts weekly

A half-filled profile is like an unfinished resume.

A quick note for students and developers

If you’re a college student thinking:
“I don’t have a business yet.”

Good. This is the perfect time.

Learning HOW TO CREATE GMB ACCOUNT and HOW TO VERIFY GMB early gives you:

practical digital exposure
freelancing credibility
startup readiness

When opportunity knocks, you won’t be Googling basics.

Common myths that waste time

Let’s clear a few things.

❌ GMB is only for shops
❌ You need GST to create it
❌ It works only after ads
❌ Reviews don’t matter

All false.

Google rewards accuracy, activity, and trust.

Real-world perspective (from experience)

I’ve seen developers build incredible products that never got traction because no one trusted them yet.

I’ve also seen average services grow fast just because their GMB profile looked complete and alive.

Visibility beats perfection.

Every single time.

How brands and startups should think about GMB

Think of GMB as:

your first impression
your trust layer
your discovery engine

Websites explain.
GMB convinces.

If you ignore it, competitors won’t.