If you’re a business owner, chances are, your customers will be using a search engine like Google to find your services and start their customer journey. It’s important that their first impression of your business is professional, informative and of great quality. Here’s how to get the best of your Google My Business listing and why you should have one, if you haven’t already.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a free service that allows customers to find you using Google search or maps. You can add information about your opening hours, services, contact information and personalised information to help attract customers and make it as easy as possible for them to choose your services.
From July 2022, Google My Business app will be moving over to Google Maps. This means you’ll be able to edit your profile, promote your business and connect with customers in the same place your customers look for the best service near them.*
Google Maps has 154.4 million monthly users, so it’s no wonder Google is making the move to one of its most popular apps.
Why is it important to have Google My business?
Despite other search engines, Google is by far the most popular in the world, with almost 86% of the market share. This means, most of your customers will use Google to find your business.
For small businesses, Google My Business should be the first step in improving your local SEO. Without a profile, you’ll need to rely on customers searching for you and visiting your website, without getting distracted by your competitors with a Google My Business profile, which will rarely happen.
Once you’ve claimed your profile, don’t stop there. You’ll need to optimise your profile with up to date information to ensure you remain at the top of the search engine.
Don’t forget – Google and customers can also amend your business profile, so make sure you regularly check that your information is up to date and incorrect information hasn’t been added.
What are the benefits of using Google My Business?
As well as the first and most important part of your local SEO strategy, there are many other benefits to claiming your Google My Business profile.
1. Manage reviews of your business
Reviews can be one of the best tools to help attract new customers and Google My Business offers a free review tool as part of your business profile. Make sure you ask customers to leave you reviews. Customer feedback can be a huge benefit for your business and with Google My Business, it can help to push you to the top of any searches within your sector.
Asking for reviews will also help to improve your overall star rating, position you as an expert of your industry and help improve your brand’s identity.
Of course, not all reviews can be good reviews, but this shouldn’t put you off from using the service. A customer’s journey doesn’t end with a negative review, so don’t be tempted to remove any comments that aren’t glowing reviews. Use the opportunity to engage with the customer and try to resolve any issues they may have experienced with your business. Not only could you turn the negative experience around for the customer, but potential customers respond well to a business that is transparent, understanding and ultimately shows great customer service.
However, Google My Business does allow you to edit or delete comments that don’t meet their guidelines or are deemed inappropriate.
2. Upload pictures of your products or services
If you can’t say it with words, say it with pictures. Images can set you apart from the competition and will help you to showcase the quality of your products or services. Customers can also upload images with their reviews to help verify their experience with you. Impressive images will catch the eye of your customers and help encourage them to choose you.
3. Keep your business’ information up to date
Google My Business is like a one stop shop for your customers. They can see you’re opening hours, your contact number, website, social media channels, location and reviews all in one place. This helps you ensure all of the information on your business is easily kept up to date and that it’s straight forward for customers to get in touch with you.
Don’t forget that Google and customers can amend your business information, so make sure you have email alerts set up for any amends made to your profile and you regularly check your profile is up to date.
4. Promote your business
Google offers a number of methods and outcomes that you can use to market your business on the search engine. Although Google My Business is completely free, you can spend a small part of your digital marketing budget to optimise your profile.
Before you use these features, it’s worth visiting the ‘Insights’ page of your profile to assess how your business is currently performing on Google. Here, you can see how many website clicks, messages, bookings and directions your business has received. If one area of your insights is much lower, consider using the promotion function to help get you back on track.
At Purple Orbit, we’re experts in all things digital. If you’d like to learn how we can help improve your small business with SEO, digital marketing or website development, contact us now.
Wed, 13 July 2022