If you're a small business owner or entrepreneur, chances are you've already established yourself on Google - which is great! But have you taken the time to make sure your approach is inclusive? Being LGBTQ+ friendly can have a major impact on how potential customers view your brand, and it's easy to do. In this blog post, we'll discuss why adding "LGBTQ+ friendly" to your Google Business profile is important, what benefits come with taking this step, and how exactly to go about doing it. So let's get started!

The benefits of adding "LGBTQ+ Friendly" to your Google Business Profile

Adding "LGBTQ+ Friendly" to your Google Business Profile has a number of benefits, including:

• Demonstrating your commitment to inclusivity and diversity
• Helping potential customers feel more comfortable coming to your business
• Increasing the visibility of LGBTQ+ friendly small businesses
• Showing that you are open and welcoming to all customers

Why is it important to be an LGBTQ+ friendly business?

Many LGBTQ+ people expect to face discrimination in certain spaces and businesses. For example, I've experienced homophobia at 3 different barbers when getting my haircut. So it is crucial for businesses to communicate their inclusiveness proactively. By adding "LGBTQ+ Friendly" and "Transgender safespace" to your Google Business Profile, you can send a message to potential customers that they can feel safe and comfortable coming to your business.

How do I add LGBTQ+ friendly to my Google Business Profile?

Here are the steps:

1. Go to google.com

2. On the top-right corner, click the icon with 9 dots

3. Click "Business Profile" from the dropdown apps

4. Click "Info" on the left-hand side menu

5. Scroll down to "attributes"

6. Select "LGBTQ+ friendly" and "Transgender safespace"

7. Click "apply"

That's it! Take a look below at what your profile will look like when people view you on Google.

Isn't this kind of thing just being tokenistic?

Some people might view adding "LGBTQ+ Friendly" to your Google Business Profile as tokenistic if it's not coupled with real, tangible inclusive practices. However, it's still a way to use your platform and business profile to show your customers that you are an inclusive business. Your Google Business Profile is one of the first places potential customers will go to learn more about your business, so it's essential to make sure that the information on your profile reflects your company values.

What's next for my business?

If you're interested in learning more about being an LGBTQ+ ally in your business, you might consider signing up for Authentic Allyship Academy. This best-selling course provides you with a framework to learn how to "inclusify" your business in 5 weeks without feeling awkward or tokenistic.

In conclusion, adding "LGBTQ+ Friendly" to your Google Business Profile is a simple step you can take to show your support for the LGBTQ+ community. It's important to make sure that your profile accurately reflects your business values so that potential customers know that they are welcome at your business.

Share this article with a friend who might find it valuable, and thanks for reading!