Successfully Rebranding an Acquired Google Business Profile: A Comprehensive Guide
Acquiring a business comes with many responsibilities, one of which is managing its online presence effectively. A critical aspect of this is handling the Google Business Profile (GBP) during the rebranding process. The goal is to seamlessly transition the profile without losing valuable customer reviews or risking suspension. Below is a detailed strategy to help you navigate this essential task.
1. Avoid Creating a New Profile
A common misconception is that you should create a new Google Business Profile and mark the existing one as closed. While this may seem like a straightforward solution, doing so will result in losing all the reviews and the established local SEO ranking. Instead, it’s crucial to retain the original profile for its history and authority.
2. Update Key Online Listings First
Before you embark on changes to the GBP, ensure that you update key data sources across the web. This proactive approach helps Google’s automated systems recognize the consistency in information and reduces the chances of triggering a re-verification or suspension.
Key Areas to Update:
- Website: Ensure the link connected to the GBP reflects the new brand information.
- Social Media Pages: Update your Facebook and any other relevant profile pages.
- Online Review Platforms: Don’t forget to adjust your listings on Yelp, BBB, and Foursquare, among others.
- Industry Directories: Ensure your information is consistent across all relevant directories.
3. Gain Ownership Access
To effectively manage the GBP, obtain access as an owner rather than just a manager. Request that the previous owner add your Google account as an owner. This will allow you to implement changes while maintaining the integrity and authority of the existing profile.
4. Implement Changes Gradually
Google prefers stability in business profiles, so avoid making drastic changes all at once. To minimize disruption, keep essential details such as the phone number and address unchanged, concentrating on updating the business name and website URL.
Change Order:
- Business Name & Brand
- Website URL: Create a dedicated page for the new location and update your GBP to link to this page.
- Time Delay: Allow at least a week between changing the business name and the website URL to reduce the likelihood of triggering re-verification.
5. Finalize Your Online Presence
With your GBP reflecting the new branding, it’s time to streamline your overall online presence. Ensure that all
