As a business owner, you know how important it is for your brand to show up online. One of the best ways to ensure that people can find your business when they need your products or services is by creating a Google My Business (GMB) profile.
Google My Business is a free tool that lets you manage how your business appears in Google search results and on Google Maps. An optimized GMB profile can increase your visibility and build trust with your prospects. Keep reading to learn more about Google My Business and how it can help your business.
Increased Visibility
When people search for your business or services on Google, they're often looking for information such as hours of operation, customer reviews, and directions. Having a GMB profile ensures that your business shows up in local search results, a highly important factor in a highly competitive market.
According to Google, businesses that have a complete GMB profile are twice as likely to be considered reputable by consumers. The more information you provide in your profile, the more likely searchers are to choose your business over competitors with outdated or inaccurate profile information.
Attract New Customers
An optimized GMB profile can also help you attract new customers. According to a study by BrightLocal, 86% of people look up the location of a business on Google Maps, and 76% of people who search for a nearby business on their smartphone visit that business within 24 hours.
Accurate information such as your business address, phone number, and current website makes it easy for potential customers to contact your business. Remember, you want to make it as easy as possible for prospects to contact you! GMB also allows you to post pictures, videos, and updates (like a social media platform) that you can use to market your products or services.
Build Trust with Your Audience
In a competitive business landscape, trust rules supreme. By providing accurate information in your GMB profile, you show potential customers that you take your business seriously and care about their experience.
Utilizing features like Google Reviews is absolutely vital to your first impression. By maintaining a positive reputation and favorable reviews, you show potential customers that you provide quality products and services.
You can also show attention to detail by responding to reviews and engaging with customers on your GMB profile, this shows that you value feedback and are committed to providing great customer service – which can go a long way in building a positive reputation for your business.
Google My Business Best Practices & Profile Tips
1. Claim and Verify Your Listing
The first step when creating a Google My Business page is to claim your business listing. This process lets Google know that you are the owner of the business and have the right to change the information that appears on your profile. Verifying your listing is an essential step and ensures your business is eligible to appear on Google Maps and in local search results.
2. Fill In Your Entire Profile
As you fill out your Google My Business profile, ensure you input accurate information such as your phone number, address, hours of operation, and website.
You should also add photos of your business, products, and services. This will help you stand out in search results and give potential customers a better understanding of what your business offers.
3. Optimize for Local Search Results
If your business operates within a certain geographical location, optimizing your GMB profile for local search results is vital. Use local keywords in your GMB profile, such as the name of your town or city, nearby landmarks, and other relevant phrases. Ensure that your business category accurately describes what you offer and isn't too vague.
You should also appear relevant to your target audience. Focus on your intended audience and stick to that theme when posting updates, photos, or videos.
4. Encourage Customer Reviews
Positive reviews from customers are an essential and valid component of a great GMB profile. They can help increase your online reputation, attract new customers, and improve search rankings. You should encourage happy customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business listing and respond to all reviews, whether they are positive or negative.
5. Post Updates, Photos, and Videos
GMB posts are a great way to share news, promotions, and updates with your customers and prospects. Fresh content shows that you're still alive and ready to communicate with customers!
6. Monitor Your Data
GMB Insights shows statistics and data about your profile. Regularly analyzing your profile's performance can help you identify areas for improvement. The insights feature provides valuable data about how people are finding your business, what they are searching for, and how they interact with your profile.
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