Google My Business is a program from Google designed to help companies communicate with their customers and potential customers as well as to let those customers communicate with each other.
It does this by allowing businesses to set up profiles on Google Maps. Which they can use to share information about their business and how it works. Customers can leave reviews and ratings for businesses. Which can help or hinder that business. This information is then visible to anyone who searches for the business on Google Maps, which will appear as a result in maps searches and can also be found on websites like Yelp.
Google My Business helps companies to collect both positive and negative feedback about their products and services, giving them an opportunity to improve and enhance both.
Google My Business is a Google program and can be found on the main Google page. A company does not have to pay for it, but signing up requires that the user has a Gmail account.
My goal here is to explain how important having a Google My Business page can be for local businesses by explaining what they are, why they’re useful and some strategies companies can use to get more out of them.
The benefits of Google My Business are many, but they come down to communication and networking opportunities. Both these things can help drive more customers to a company website, which can be seen as the ultimate goal for businesses today.
Google My Business also helps with local SEO, which is the most important marketing strategy for local businesses.
There are also ways that business owners can view the data Google My Business collects to see what customers are saying about them and how they’re saying it, which can help companies understand what they’re doing right and what needs more attention.
This is especially important for small businesses because larger companies have already done so much work on their online presence that getting noticed by potential customers may not be the biggest challenge for them.
Companies with large marketing teams can dedicate time to social media management, blogging, SEO and PPC campaigns that keep their website at the top of search results for their industry.
Here are 10 steps small businesses can take to get more out of Google My Business:
Fill Out All The Information About Your Company That You Can
Google My Business allows users to add a wide range of information about their company and how it works, including photos and videos. Google will verify the authenticity of this information before allowing it to publish on its own site or shared with customers who then use that information to leave reviews and work with the business.
Make A List Of Keywords Customers Would Use When Searching For Your Business
Before starting to publish content on Google My Business, identify what keywords customers would use when looking for your business online. These keywords will change over time as they become popular among internet users and as people search for your business in different ways.
Use These Keywords When You Create Content For Your Company’s Google My Business Page
SEO best practices state that website content should use keywords frequently while also being relevant, readable and useful to visitors looking for information online. Having a Google My Business page means having access to the same search engine as your customers, so make sure you’re using the keywords they would use when searching for your business.
Create Content For Your Website That Also Appear On Google My Business
Google My Business allows companies to syndicate their own content. Making it available on other websites like Google+, which can help drive traffic back to a company’s website without them needing to spend money on advertising. This content can also appear in search results for the keywords potential customers are using when searching for the business.
Use A Google My Business Page Link On Your Website’s Contact Us Page
People who land on your website may want to contact you immediately without filling out any forms or scrolling through your homepage to find your contact information. Adding a Google My Business page link on your contact page lets customers make faster, more informed decisions and makes the process of getting in touch with you simpler and more direct.
Use A Link To Your Google My Business Page On Your Email Signature
People who email you typically expect to be able to contact whoever is running the company business, so it’s important to have an email signature that includes the company’s website, phone number and various social media accounts. Adding a Google My Business link to your email signature can help customers find more information about your business.
Sign Up For Other Pages Related To Your Industry
Adding additional pages on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Help you cover all of your industry’s bases while also giving you a wider range of options. When it comes to creating content. If a business’s Google My Business page is not available. People may search for the business on one of its social media accounts instead and find incorrect contact information there.
Ask Customers To Leave Reviews
The more reviews a company’s business gets on Google My Business, the higher its pages will rank in search results. This is because Google uses an algorithm. That factors in whether or not people are leaving reviews to determine how much authority a page has.
Reach Out To Customers And Ask For Their Feedback On The Company
When customers buy from a business and receive good customer service. They want to make sure their friends and family members know about it. Reach out and ask them to leave a review on the company’s Google My Business page. Or send an email asking for feedback on what you can do better next time.
Invite Customers To Join You On A Social Platform
People who visit your website may not be active on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. So inviting them to join you on a different platform can help ensure they see the content you post. When people sign up with your company’s Google My Business page. They automatically get access to all of your social network links and vice versa.
Add Menu Or Business Hours Information To Profiles
People who visit your website and see your Google My Business page in their search results. Want to know more about the business. Such as where they can find it and when they can visit or call for assistance. Providing information on your page. Lets visitors know about the business’s menu or hours of operation. Help people make an informed decision about whether they want to do business with you.
Display Photos Of Products Or Services Offered By Your Company
Photos are a great way to attract potential customers’ attention. Because they show them what they can expect to see when they visit the company. Businesses should upload as many product and service-related photos as they can to attract more customers.
Use The Customer Support Feature To Connect With Customers Quickly And Easily
Quickly and easily on Google My Business. Utilizing the feature helps companies provide excellent customer service on a daily basis. And show their customers they are always willing to help them out on any matter.
Answer Questions And Provide Additional Information To Customers
The Google My Business community forum is another way for businesses to connect with their customers. A company’s answers to customers’ questions can be featured on Google Maps. Giving people even more information about the products or services they are interested in purchasing.
