How to Verify Your Business on Google Without Postcard

If you want to get more visibility and customers for your local business, you need to claim and verify your Google Business Profile. 

This is a free listing that appears on Google Search and Maps when people look for businesses like yours. 

However, verifying your business with Google can be a challenge, especially if you don’t receive the postcard that Google sends to your physical address. 

In this article, we will show you how to verify your business on Google without postcard, and what are the benefits and drawbacks of each method.

The Challenges of Verifying Your Business With a Postcard

The most common way to verify your business on Google is by requesting a postcard from Google. This is a card that contains a verification code that you need to enter in your Google Business Profile account. However, this method has some limitations and drawbacks, such as:

• It can take up to 14 days for the postcard to arrive, which means you have to wait for a long time before you can verify your business and start managing your profile.
• The postcard can get lost, damaged, or stolen in the mail, which means you have to request another one and wait even longer.
• The postcard can be sent to the wrong address, or not delivered at all, if your address is not accurate or clear enough for the postal service.
• The postcard can be rejected by your building manager, landlord, or receptionist, if they don’t recognize your business name or think it’s spam.
• The postcard can be misplaced, thrown away, or forgotten by you or your staff, if you don’t check your mail regularly or don’t know what to look for.

All these factors can make verifying your business with a postcard a frustrating and time-consuming process. That’s why many business owners look for alternative ways to verify their business without a postcard.

The Alternative Ways of Verifying Your Business Without a Postcard

Fortunately, Google offers some other options to verify your business without a postcard, depending on the type and category of your business. These options are:

Phone or text: You can receive a verification code via a phone call or a text message to the phone number that you provided for your business. This option is only available for some businesses that have already verified their phone number with Google.

Email: You can receive a verification code via an email to the email address that you provided for your business. This option is only available for some businesses that have already verified their email address with Google.

Video: You can upload a video recording that shows proof of your business location and ownership. This option is only available for some businesses that have a physical storefront and operate in certain categories.

Live video call: You can connect with a Google representative on a live video call and show them proof of your business location and ownership. This option is only available for some businesses that have a physical storefront and operate in certain categories.

Instant verification: You can verify your business instantly if you have already verified it with other Google services, such as Google Search Console or YouTube. This option is only available for some businesses that operate online and have a website or a YouTube channel.

As you can see, each verification method has its own requirements and limitations. Not all businesses are eligible for all methods, and some methods may not be available in all regions or languages. Therefore, you need to check which methods are available for your business before you choose one.

How to Choose the Best Verification Method for Your Business

To choose the best verification method for your business without a postcard, you need to consider the following factors:

The type and category of your business: Some verification methods are only suitable for certain types of businesses, such as online businesses or physical storefronts. You also need to make sure that your business category matches the one that Google recognizes and supports.

The availability and reliability of the method: Some verification methods may not be available in your region or language, or may not work properly due to technical issues or human errors. You need to check if the method is available and reliable before you use it.

The speed and convenience of the method: Some verification methods are faster and easier than others, such as phone or email verification. However, they may also require more information or verification from you, such as providing a valid phone number or email address. You need to weigh the pros and cons of each method and choose the one that suits your needs and preferences.

To find out which verification methods are available for your business without a postcard, you need to follow these steps:

1. Go to google.com/business and sign in with your Google account.
2. If you have already claimed your Google Business Profile, click on “Manage now”. If not, click on “Start now” and follow the instructions to claim your profile.
3. On your dashboard, click on “Get verified” next to your business name.
4. You will see a list of verification methods that are available for your business. Choose the one that you prefer and follow the instructions to verify your business.

How to Verify Your Business Without a Postcard Step by Step

Here are the detailed steps for each verification method that you can use to verify your business without a postcard:

Phone or Text Verification

1. On the verification methods list, click on “Phone” or “Text”.
2. You will see a confirmation message that shows the phone number that you provided for your business. Make sure that it is correct and that you have access to it.
3. Click on “Verify by phone” or “Verify by text”.
4. You will receive a phone call or a text message from Google with a verification code. Enter the code in the box on your screen and click on “Submit”.
5. You will see a confirmation message that your business has been verified.

Email Verification

1. On the verification methods list, click on “Email”.
2. You will see a confirmation message that shows the email address that you provided for your business. Make sure that it is correct and that you have access to it.
3. Click on “Verify by email”.
4. You will receive an email from Google with a verification code. Enter the code in the box on your screen and click on “Submit”.
5. You will see a confirmation message that your business has been verified.

Video Verification

1. On the verification methods list, click on “Video”.
2. You will see a confirmation message that explains what you need to do to verify your business with a video recording. Read it carefully and make sure that you have everything ready, such as your smartphone, your business location, and your proof of ownership.
3. Click on “Start video verification”.
4. You will be redirected to a website where you can upload your video recording. Follow the instructions on the screen and record a video that shows the following:
   • The exterior of your business location, including the street name and nearby landmarks.
   • The interior of your business location, including the areas that only employees can access, such as the office or the storage room.
   • The equipment and documents that prove your ownership of the business, such as invoices, receipts, contracts, or licenses.
5. Upload your video and wait for Google to review it and verify your business.

Live Video Call Verification

1. On the verification methods list, click on “Live video call”.
2. You will see a confirmation message that explains what you need to do to verify your business with a live video call. Read it carefully and make sure that you have everything ready, such as your smartphone, your business location, and your proof of ownership.
3. Click on “Start live video call”.
4. You will be connected with a Google representative on a live video call. Follow their instructions and show them the following:
   • The exterior of your business location, including the street name and nearby landmarks.
   • The interior of your business location, including the areas that only employees can access, such as the office or the storage room.
   • The equipment and documents that prove your ownership of the business, such as invoices, receipts, contracts, or licenses.
5. Wait for Google to verify your business.

Instant Verification

1. On the verification methods list, click on “Instant verification”.
2. You will see a confirmation message that shows which Google service you have already verified your business with, such as Google Search Console or YouTube.
3. Click on “Verify instantly”.
4. You will see a confirmation message that your business has been verified.

Conclusion

Verifying your business on Google without postcard is possible if you use one of the alternative methods that Google offers. However, not all methods are available for all businesses, and some methods may have some drawbacks or limitations. Therefore, you need to check which methods are suitable for your business type and category, and choose the one that is most convenient and reliable for you.

By verifying your business on Google without postcard, you can enjoy the benefits of having a Google Business Profile, such as:

• Increasing your online visibility and reputation
• Attracting more customers and leads
• Managing and updating your business information
• Responding to customer reviews and questions
• Posting updates and offers
• Analyzing your performance and insights

We hope this article has helped you learn how to verify your business on Google without postcard, and how to choose the best verification method for your business.