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With over 90% of consumers looking for local businesses online, managing your Google Business Profile effectively is pivotal for customer engagement. Transferring ownership is another important aspect of the same. Whether you are handing over the reins due to a change in management, a sale, or bringing in an agency, knowing “how to transfer ownership of a Google Business Profile” smoothly ensures a seamless transition.
Let’s explore the straightforward steps for a successful transfer of a Google Business Profile ownership!
What Is Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile is a user-friendly and free tool for small business owners and nonprofits. It’s not just about promoting business information on Google Search and Maps, but also about fostering a direct connection with customers. This tool allows businesses to post updates, respond to customer reviews, and view customer interactions on Google, all in a simple and straightforward manner.
A Google Business Profile is designed to be inclusive, catering to all types of businesses. It includes essential business information such as address, operating hours, phone number, website, photos, and reviews. Even businesses without a physical address can have a Google Business Profile, ensuring that everyone feels valued and catered to.
Key Features:
- Connect with customers via calls, messaging, or responding to reviews.
- Showcase products, photos, and menu items.
- View customer interactions and insights.
Why Transfer Ownership of a Google Business Profile?
Change in Management
When there’s a shift in management, transferring the Google Business Profile ensures that the new manager has complete control over the business’s online presence. This allows them to update information, manage customer interactions, and maintain consistency in business operations. By doing so, the business avoids disruptions, keeps customer trust intact, and ensures a smooth transition.
Change in Ownership
In the case of a business sale, transferring the Google Business Profile to the new owner is essential. This enables the new owner to update vital information, like contact information, business hours, and customer reviews, ensuring a seamless handover. Without this transfer, the business may face operational challenges and customer confusion, affecting its reputation and continuity.
Transferring Ownership to Agency
Transferring ownership of a Google Business Profile to a digital marketing agency is important when you hire them to manage your online presence effectively. This transfer allows the agency full access to make necessary updates, respond to reviews, and optimize your profile for better visibility. By granting ownership access:
- The agency can manage and update business information in real-time.
- They can respond to customer reviews promptly.
- It enables them to execute marketing strategies seamlessly.
- Ensures consistency across all online platforms.
Types of Roles To Manage Business Profiles
Owners
The primary owner holds the highest level of control, with the ability to manage users, assign site managers, update business information, add or remove photos, view insights, and respond to reviews.
Owners also have the authority to manage messages, appointments, and bookings. While the owner shares many privileges with the primary owner, the owner cannot transfer ownership.
Managers
Managers play a crucial role in managing Business Profiles, handling most tasks such as editing business information and responding to reviews. However, they can’t add or remove users or delete a Business Profile. New managers must wait 7 days before gaining full access.
How To Transfer Ownership of a Google Business Profile
Step 1: Login To Your Google Account
- Sign in with the Google account that currently holds ownership of the business profile.
- Ensure you are using the right account to avoid any issues with the transfer.
Step 2: Search For Your Business Name
- In the Google My Business dashboard, use the search bar to locate the business profile you want to transfer.
- If you manage multiple profiles, make sure to select the correct one.
Step 3: Click on Three dots in the Top Right Corner
- In the top right corner of the business profile page, click the three-dot menu icon to access additional options.
Step 4: Select “Business Profile Settings”
- From the dropdown menu, choose “Business Profile Settings” to open the settings menu where you can manage user access.
Step 5: Click on “People and Access”
- Click on “People and Access”.
- This section displays all users with access to the business profile. It allows to manage their roles and access levels.
Step 6: Select the New Primary Owner
- Click on “Invite new users” if the new owner isn’t listed.
- Enter their email address, choose the “Owner” role, and send the invitation.
- The new owner must accept the invitation by clicking the link in their email.
Step 7: Accept Invitation
- A link will be sent to the new owner’s email with a link to accept the ownership transfer.
- The new owner must complete this step to proceed with the transfer.
Step 8: Transfer Ownership
- After the new owner accepts the invitation, return to the “Users” menu.
- Click the dropdown arrow next to the new owner’s name.
- Select “Primary Owner,” and confirm the change.
Wrapping Up
By following the above-mentioned steps on “how to transfer ownership of a Google business profile,” you ensure a smooth transition of control, keeping your business’s online presence up-to-date. Successfully completing this process allows for accurate management of business details and customer interactions, helping maintain continuity and effective communication.
FAQs
How do I transfer my Google business to a new owner?
To transfer ownership:
- Step 1: Login To Your Google Account
- Step 2: Search For Your Business Name
- Step 3: Click on Three dots in the Top Right Corner
- Step 4: Select “Business Profile Settings”
- Step 5: Click on “People and Access”
- Step 6: Select the New Primary Owner
- Step 7: Accept Invitation
- Step 8: Transfer Ownership
Can a Google business have two owners?
Yes, a Google business can have multiple owners. However, only the Primary Owner can transfer ownership and manage user access.
What are the Google Business Profile user roles?
The main user roles are Owners and Managers. Owners have full control and can transfer ownership, while Managers can edit information and respond to reviews but cannot transfer ownership or add/remove users.
Why Transfer Ownership of a Google Business Profile?
Transferring ownership is essential during changes in management, ownership (like a business sale), or when hiring an agency to manage the online presence, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity in operations.
