BENEFITS AND PURPOSE OF GOOGLE MY BUSINESS PART 2

Google My Business is an essential component of your digital presence. If you set it up incorrectly, you will see a decrease in traffic and search rankings.

Google My Business can help you capture more leads, increase your sales, and make the most of online advertising.

84% of consumers check online reviews before buying, and 51% will choose a local business with good reviews over one with similar prices and products.

It’s also an excellence SEO platform from Google itself as it’s the first to display your business profile before anything else.

You need to read the first part of BENEFITS AND PURPOSE OF GOOGLE MY BUSINESS part 2 if you haven’t. Read part 1 of this article here

BENEFITS AND PURPOSE OF GOOGLE MY BUSINESS PART 2

Creating a Google Business Profile for your business, or the local businesses that you’re working with, is an essential first step towards SEO success. Setting this up properly is critical, so this comprehensive guide will show you the best way to set up a Google Business Profile.

1. Create a Business Google Account

Before you can create a Google local listing, you’ll need to create a Google Account. Google Accounts are available to everybody and are simple to use. You can either use an existing email to set up your Google Account or you can make a new one. Visit accounts.google.com and select ‘Create an account’ to get started.

2. Visit the Google Business Profile Gateway

Once you have your new email address, head to google.com/business and click ‘Manage now’ to get started:

3. Look for the Business

Begin by typing in your business name to see if a profile with this name already exists. If it does, then you’ll see it appear as you’re typing( in this case, you have to “claim your business”). If the business name doesn’t appear, then go ahead and click ‘Add your business to Google’.
If someone has already created a Google Business Profile for the business, then don’t worry. You can request that management of the profile be handed over to you. Simply click ‘Request Access’ and you’ll be guided through the process.

4. Add the Business Name and Category

If you’re creating a new profile, then the next step is to add the business name and category. The name that you use here should exactly match the official business name. Don’t be tempted to add any keywords into the name as this violates Google’s guidelines.
Next, choose the category that most closely matches the business. You’ll have the option to edit this within the profile later, as well as to add additional categories, so don’t worry if you’re not completely sure what to select right now.

5. Does the business have a physical location?

If the business has a physical location that customers can visit for face-to-face interactions, then you’ll now need to share this information. If this is the case, then select ‘Yes’ and click ‘Next’. If the business only operates online, or has a physical location but doesn’t receive customers in person, then select ‘No’ instead.
Warning: Don’t be tempted to inappropriately say the business has a physical location in an attempt to manipulate local rankings. The listing may get suspended or removed entirely in the future for violating the guidelines in this way.

6. Enter the Business Location

If the business has a physical location, then you can now provide the address. You might be asked to position a pin on a map to confirm the location. It’s important that the address you give is accurate and complete to prevent any confusion to customers or issues with the verification process.

7. Does the business provide home deliveries or services?

If this is a service-area business, or if the business delivers items to customers at home, then select ‘Yes’ on the next step.

If you select ‘Yes’ then you’ll need to enter the areas that the business serves or delivers to. You’ll be able to come back and edit this information later, and you’ll be able to add new locations any time the business expands.

8. Add Contact Details

The next step is to add the contact details for the business. You’ll need to enter the phone number, and you also have the option to add the business website. If the business doesn’t have a website, then tick the box on this page. If a website is later created, you’ll be able to add this information then. You can create and host a free simple website for your business with your profile.

9. Stay in the Know

Before you move on to verifying the business, you’ll be asked if you’d like to receive helpful tips and recommendations from Google. Although there’s no obligation, you might find it beneficial to receive this information.

10. Verify the Business

In this step, you’ll be required to choose a verification method to prove the business is operating at the specified address. Receiving a postcard by mail to the business address is the most common route for verification, but you might also have the option to do so through phone or email.

Note: You can continue to make edits and updates to GMB while verification is pending, but the profile won’t be visible on Google during this time.

Choose Way To Verify

– Postcard Verification
– Phone Verification
– Email verification

11. Add Your Business Hours
Adding your business hours is essential so that potential customers know when they can visit or contact you.
It’s imperative that the hours you specify are accurate, and you should always edit this information if your opening hours change—whether permanently or temporarily.
Add Business Hours
There are several reasons why your hours of operation may temporarily change, such as public holidays or staff illness. In these cases, it’s a good idea to let your customers know.

12. Add Messaging

Accepting messages from potential customers within GMB is a great way to connect with your audience and drive sales. However, you should only enable this function if you can commit to managing it consistently. Being unresponsive to messages will create a poor user experience and could harm your business reputation.
If you do wish to accept messages, then simply click the button. You can come back and pause or disable this feature at any point.

13. Add the Business Description

Providing a description of the business will help consumers to know what it’s all about and whether it’s a good fit for their needs.
You can write up to 750 characters within this section, so be sure to use this opportunity to put the most important information across in a clear and concise way.

14. Add Photos

Adding photos is a fantastic way to help searchers visualize the business and to get a glimpse of the brand. Customers can add their own photos to the listing, and some people will choose to do this when leaving you a Google review. Be aware that you won’t have any control over the order in which photos appear on your listing, so it’s a good idea to have several of your own photos mixed in with the user-generated content. Make sure you showcase different aspects of your products and services, as well as different areas of your physical location.

15. Optimize Your GMB profile

Once your listing is good to go, then it’s time to consider how best to optimize GBP to maximize visibility and conversions.

Some essential ongoing tasks include:

Adding new photos and videos
Using GMB Q & A to connect with your audience and answer their questions
Creating GMB Posts to showcase offers and promotions
Listing your services, products, or menu items
Encouraging your customers to ‘Follow’ you on Google Maps
Requesting Google reviews

Why You Must Take Google My Business Reviews Serious

Google reviews are powerful. They can make or break a business. And they’re not just important for businesses with physical locations. Google reviews are also important for service-based businesses, like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC companies.

Google reviews matter because they’re one of the first things that people see when they search for a business on Google. And people trust Google reviews. In fact, 78% of consumers say that they trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

There are a few different ways that you can get Google reviews. The first is to simply ask your customers or clients to leave you a review. You can do this in person, over the phone, or through email. You can also offer incentives for leaving a review, like a discount on their next purchase or service.

It’s also important to respond to all of your reviews, both positive and negative. Thank your customers for their positive reviews and apologize to your customers for their negative reviews. This shows that you care about your customers and their experience with your business.

Get started with Google My Business today
Setting up a Google My Business account is painless and requires minimal maintenance once it’s running. If you’re short on time, you could also find a local guide to help you with Google My Business. Either way, we know Google My Business isn’t a want-to-have, but a need-to-have asset to your marketing plan.

Google’s search results are becoming more and more robust, with answer boxes, related questions, and even results appearing in the suggestion drop-down menu. The benefits Google My Business plants for local businesses are only growing. Get your profile set up today to start reaping them!

Hope this article (BENEFITS AND PURPOSE OF GOOGLE MY BUSINESS PART 2) is helpful?

Credit