Why Have a Google Business Profile?
What do you find if you search for “Morris side near me” using Google?
The search results will differ for everyone, partly because we are all in different locations but also because Google will often remember your previous search queries and personalise the findings. This can be useful – so Google knows that I normally click on morris sides rather than Morrisons (although it sometimes also gives a Morrisons result!
But as shown in Figure 1, Google may include a map in the results, with details for specific morris sides. Clearly if you are looking to raise your online visibility (whether for recruitment purposes or when event organisers are looking to book a morris side) you will want to ensure that your side is shown on such maps – as is the case for Wyld Morris, Dr Turberville’s and Anonymous Morris in the map shown below.

Creating A Google Business Profile
To create a Google Business Profile is simple – simply visit Google’s My Business page, sign in (using a Google email address is recommended) and complete an online form.
There are just a few boxes you will need to complete (to appear on Google Maps you will need to provide an address known to Google – although you can have a Google Business Profile without supplying an address).
The Google Business Profile will have to be validated before it appears. This can be done by email or by returning a form which is sent to the business address.
Using Your Google Business Profile
There are just a few mandatory fields to complete. However to make effective use of this online presence it can be helpful to add further information, including photographs, videos and occasional posts.
The Administrator’s Interface
Once your Google Business Profile has been running for a month you will be able to login and view usage statistics, as illustrated below.

Manage your Business Profile directly on Google
Details of how to manage your profile are given in the Manage your Business Profile directly on Google. Note the interface may change.
Status of this Document
Document created: 2 Aug 2021
Document updated: 17 Sept 2021 (CC-BY image added)
Document updated: 1 Apr 2022 (added link to information on managing profile)
Licence for this Document

This document is available with a Creative Commons Sharealike (CC-BY) licence. In brief, this means you can copy and make changes to this document provided you give acknowledgements to the author/publisher. A suggested wording for acknowledgements is:
This document is based on the "Setting Up a Google Business Profile" document by Brian Kelly, Comms and IT volunteer with the Morris Federation.
About the Author
Brian Kelly joined the Newcastle Kingsmen in 1978 and for many years was a prize-winning Betty for them. He has also danced with Sallyport Sword Dancers and Northgate Rapper as well as the now-defunct Green Ginger Morris, Phoenix Sword and Black Cap sides. He is currently a dancer with Haymarket Rapper and Wyld Morris.
Brian help set up a website for the University of Leeds in January 1993 – one of the first 100 websites in the world. During most of his professional career he was a national web adviser to UK Universities.
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