Created with #SmallThanks with Google – provides highlights from your Google My Business profile
Google has become a big part of our daily lives. These days, we use it to not only find answers to questions, but also to search for products and services in our local area. This is why many businesses are putting in more effort into optimising their online presence using Google My Business.
Create and share your business information and reviews with ease.
What Is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a tool aimed at helping business owners take charge of how their business is shown on Google’s platforms, including the search engines results pages (SERPS) to Maps. You can add details on your profile such as:
- Your business’s name
- Location
- Contact numbers
- Official Website URL
- Trading hours
- Type of business
- Photos
- Payments methods accepted
By inputting all the vital information about your business, you can improve rankings in search results. More people will discover your business and be able to get in touch with you regarding your products and services.
How Can It Help Your Business?
Increase Your Visibility
One of the most noticeable benefits of being in the GMB listings is that your business can appear on front of the search results.
This can help greatly in attracting new customers, which include people who are just looking for providers of the service they need and not specific companies. They are more likely to click on the top choices that appear in the search results (SERPS).
For users with My Business profiles, that means the top three results that appear organically, which is going to be where the business wants appear. This is also known as the Local 3-Pack.
It used to comprise around ten results before being changed to three to be more friendly to mobile users. This has made it very valuable for businesses and enough reason to include all the important details in your Google my Business listing, especially your business’s location.
Cost Effective Advertising
Unlike many online directories, signing up for Google My Business is FREE – yes, you heard correctly! There are no hidden charges at all. For newer businesses on a tight budget, this is an excellent way to let their target audience know about them without having to spend money on advertising.
Improve Customer Service and Build Trust
Being listed in Google My Business can provide immediate credibility for your company. This is because you need to be verified first before you can complete setting up your profile. It shows that you are serious about your business.
GMB also gives customers a place to review your establishment and for others to read them. As any good business owners know, customer feedback is important for improving one’s services. And with higher star ratings, people are more likely to buy from you. It’s the online word-of-mouth method which is used by online consumers when looking for a product or service.
You can also use My Business as another platform to interact with your audience and answer any inquiries.
Signing Up for A Profile
Getting added on Google My Business is a straightforward process that involves filling in the essential details and getting verified by Google.
Filling In The Blanks
- The first step is to log into the Google account that you want your business to be affiliated with. Then, head to Google.com/business and click on the Start Now button.
- You will be asked to input your business’s name and location. You may also have to check the box that specifies whether or not you have delivery services for your customers. You also have the option to hide your address if you don’t want your whereabouts to be shown.
- Choose which business category yours belongs to. Be as accurate as possible to avoid confusion with potential customers and with Google.
- Put in your company phone number and website if there is one.
Getting Verified
Now you have to choose a method of verification. Depending on your business’s eligibility, Google currently has five options:
- Instant verification (for businesses with websites that are verified with Google Search Console)
- Bulk verification (for businesses with multiple locations)
- By Mail
- By Phone
- By Email
After you have received your verification code, submit it to Google. Your business and the information you’ve provided will now show up in Google Search, Maps, and other Google platforms.
So now you’re all set up! In Part 2, I will be discussing the ways to optimise and make the most out of your Google My Business profile.
If you need any further assistance with Google My Business in the interim, get in touch with me to discuss your needs.