Google Business Profiles – What It Is and Why You Need It
Google is, hands down, the most popular search engine on the internet. As a result, Google is where people go for information, whether that is to find restaurant hours, see where a business is located, or get reviews about the business. It is so popular that we’ve created a verb out of their name, “Just Google it.” If you want your local business to be found by potential customers, it’s important to have a verified and claimed Google Business Profile.
How important is it? Check out these stats from Google:
● Customers are 2.7 times more likely to consider a business reputable if they find a complete Business Profile on Google Search and Maps. (Source: Google)
● Customers are 70% more likely to visit and 50% more likely to consider purchasing from businesses with a complete Business Profile. (Source: Google)
What is a Google business profile?
Simply stated, it is a listing that allows your business to appear on products like Google Maps and Search. Having a Business Profile can help people find you if you have a physical location that customers visit, or if you serve customers within a certain area.
To manage your business, you need to create a Google business profile manager account. You can see both in the image below.
From the Business Profile Manager, you can do three main things.
1. You can make sure your business info is always accurate on Google – Update your hours, website, phone number, and location as needed. The Google mobile app makes it easy to keep your online presence up-to-date, no matter where you are.
2. Stay in touch with your customers – Make sure you’re regularly interacting with your customers – whether it’s through posting photos of your business and its products and services or responding to reviews. It’s important to keep communication channels open to show your customers that you’re listening to them and value their feedback.
3. Seek new customers – Improving your profile is a great way to get found locally. You can point people to your website, display your hours and reviews and so much more.
Your Business Profile is like a window into your business–it helps customers learn about the products and services you offer, get in touch with you, and find your location. Having an up-to-date and accurate Business Profile is essential to success on Google.
So what does it all mean?
There’s no denying that first impressions matter, especially for businesses. If you want to attract new customers, it’s important to make sure your business appears professional and polished online. Getting your Google profile online is a great first step.
Next week, we will look at the various elements of the profile that you can manage and discuss some best practices for your business.
If you want to do a complementary audit on your business to see where you stand today, you can do so at https://grouprb.com/get-your-free-online-audit-report/.
Until next time, remember that you deserve marketing that actually works.
