Every day, billions of people turn to Google to find all sorts of information. Whether it’s a local coffee shop, home repair tips, the latest fashion trends, or celebrity gossip, Google is the place to go for answers.
Google is the world’s most popular search engine. It handles over 8.6 billion searches every day. A large portion of these searches are from people looking for things near them, like a restaurant, gym, or store. So if your business is easy to find on Google, it’s more likely to attract customers. That’s where Google My Business helps businesses rank higher in Google searches and increase their online visibility.
You might think this is only for big businesses to show up on Google. But the good news is that small businesses and startups can also create a Google My Business profile to connect with customers nearby. It’s a great way to make sure people can find you when they need your products or services. Let’s dive into this guide to learn about the benefits of Google My Business and much more.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a free tool from Google that helps local businesses get noticed online. With Google My Business, business owners can control how their business appears on Google Search and Google Maps. It acts as a magnet for your business and helps it stand out and attract more attention.
Now let’s understand how this works for businesses and audiences with the help of an example.
Imagine you’re planning a family trip and need a place to stay. What’s the first thing you do? You probably grab your phone and search for “family friendly hotels near me” or “best hotels with a pool.” In seconds, Google shows you options with photos, reviews, and prices, helping you decide where to book.
But why do you need this? Let’s see in the next section!
Why should you use Google My Business?
Well, most people use Google to search for information these days. That means a lot of people will see your business if it shows up in search results. And the better and more optimized your profile is, the more likely people are to notice your business. It’s a smart and cost-effective way to get noticed, especially compared to traditional advertising.
Thanks to modern technology, promoting your business is faster and easier than ever. Did you know that 50% of people who search for local businesses on their phones end up visiting a store? Since almost everyone has a smartphone, imagine how many customers you can get just by showing up on Google through Google My Business .
Creating, verifying, and optimizing your Google My Business account is a golden opportunity for any business. If you’re not using it to its full potential, you’re missing out. The Google My Business course can help you to set up your profile and get the most out of it. After this course, you’ll be able to reach more people and help your business get noticed.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what else Google My Business can do for you?
What Are The Benefits of Google My Business Listing?
1. Google Maps and Search Visibility
One of the biggest benefits of having a Google My Business page is the prime position it can occupy in search results. Google My Business profiles appear in Google Maps and the three-part “Local Pack,” a section that displays the top three local search results. Typically, the top three items in a Google search are reserved for paid advertising, followed by the map and its local results, and then organic results.
Previously, this local pack included seven to ten businesses, but has been reduced to three to cater to mobile users looking for nearby results on smaller screens. Being in the three-business local pack gives you a significant boost in visibility. If your Google My Business profile appears in this pack for relevant search terms, your business gains exposure without the cost of paid advertising, which can lead to increased income.
2. Low-Cost Option
Google My Business is a free tool that puts your business in front of countless potential customers. Unlike other industry directories that charge for listings, Google My Business provides basic business details like hours of operation, contact information, and directions at no cost.
It also provides insight into customer reviews, busiest hours, and overall ratings. This free resource is especially useful for small businesses or startups operating on tight budgets, allowing them to allocate resources to other areas while maintaining their online presence.
3. Creating and Optimizing a Google My Business Profile
A well-maintained Google My Business profile signals that your business is relevant to users searching for your services. To get started, claim your business on Google Business and verify your details. Make sure your name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and service categories are accurate, and stay consistent across all platforms, including Yelp and Bing, to avoid confusion.
Adding high-quality photos of your company, staff, and services can enhance the appeal of your profile. Reviews play a crucial role, so encourage customers to leave feedback, as positive reviews build trust and influence purchasing decisions.
4. Google Posts
Google My Business allows businesses to create posts for promotions, announcements, or events. These posts appear in Google Search and Google Maps, providing a unique way to engage with customers. When crafting posts, use high-resolution images and concise, business-oriented titles. Posts run for seven days, except for event posts, which run until the event ends. Including calls to action like “Book online” or “Call” further boosts engagement. While posts don’t integrate directly with Google Analytics, adding UTM codes can help you track performance.
5. Messaging Feature
Google My Business now offers a messaging feature, allowing businesses to communicate directly with customers via SMS or Google’s messaging app. This tool helps respond to inquiries quickly while protecting the business phone number. Businesses can enable or disable this feature based on their needs and ensure that sensitive information, such as credit card details, is not shared through messages.
6. Importance of Reviews
Customer reviews have a significant impact on local SEO and purchasing decisions, with studies showing that online reviews influence 91% of shoppers between the ages of 18 and 34. Reviews provide real customer insights and act as free advertising. Positive reviews build credibility, while negative reviews, when handled constructively, can drive business improvements. Encouraging reviews are vital to improving visibility and generating trust.
7. Insights and Analytics
Google My Business provides valuable insights to help businesses improve strategies. You can track website views, clicks, engagement, and audience demographics, which can help identify trends and optimize campaigns. And analyzing the keywords customers are using to find your business can help improve your SEO efforts. This data helps measure performance, understand customer behavior, and drive traffic and revenue.
8. Videos and Graphics
Google My Business supports 30-second videos, allowing businesses to showcase services, products, or interactions with customers. Videos, which are limited to 100MB in size and at least 720p in resolution, provide an engaging way to connect with potential customers. They should be original and relevant, avoiding stock footage. High-quality videos can improve engagement and help customers better understand your business.
9. Heatmaps and Location Information
Google My Business ’s heatmap feature provides transparency into where customers are requesting directions to your business. This information can help identify underserved areas that may be experiencing demand, enabling strategic growth. By analyzing geographic trends, businesses can better allocate resources and tailor services to meet local needs.
10. Edit Menus on Google My Business
Now restaurant owners can easily update their menus right on their Google Business Profiles (GBP). Thanks to a new tool, they can create and edit their menus without needing help from other companies.
With this menu editor, owners can add or change the names, descriptions, and prices of their dishes. They can also organize the menu into sections like appetizers, main courses, and desserts. This makes it super simple to keep menus up-to-date and share them directly with customers online.
FAQs
1. Is Google My Business useful?
Yes, Google My Business is very useful. If you want more people to know about your brand or business, it can help. It helps your customers learn more about your products or services. It also improves your chances of showing up in local searches on Google, so more people can find you.
2. What is the primary purpose of using Google My Business?
The primary purpose of Google My Business is to help businesses connect with customers online. This tool provides you with a profile page where you can share important details like your address, photos, and business hours. You can also manage customer reviews, send messages, and promote your business.
3. Are there any downsides to Google My Business?
There are many benefits of using Google My Business, but it also has its drawbacks as everything has its pros and cons. You cannot fully customize your page to make it unique. This can seem limiting if you want your business page to stand out more.
4. Is Google My Business free?
Yes, Google My Business is completely free to use.
5. How can I attract more customers using Google My Business?
The best way to get more customers is to optimize your profile and collect reviews. Use keywords in your profile to make it easier for people to find you. Also, don’t forget to ask happy customers to leave reviews. Reviews can really help your business rank higher in local search results.
