Google Business Profile, formerly known as Google My Business, is a free tool for businesses to manage their presence on Google’s various components, including Maps and Search. It’s an easy way to turn people who find you on Google into customers, whether you’re a retailer or have an online store as well.
What is Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile lets you manage how your local business shows up across Google. Small business owners with physical stores can build a Business Profile to help people find their store locations easier. It helps customers discover the products and services you provide, find your store, and contact you.
Increased visibility across Google
You can have the best retail store in the world; one that provides a unique experience for your customers. But if no one can find you online, it’ll be hard to expand your reach and get new customers. A Google Business Profile can help customers find your business through Search, Maps, and Shopping.
Joy Hawkins, owner of local SEO agency Sterling Sky, feels that in order to compete in search engines, every local business must have a Google Business Profile. “Data shows that between 30% and 40% of search results show local packs,” .
A Google Business Profile is free and is a great way for a small business to get more leads and phone calls to their business.
Based on businesses we have tracked over a few years, we have seen businesses in various industries increase their lead volume from their Google Business Profile by 16% to 149% compared to three years ago.
A Google Business Profile can help customers find your business through search, Maps, and Shopping.
Control your business information
Making a good first impression is important to start building a relationship with customers online. After verifying your business, you can manage the information searchers find when looking for your business or its products and services. This gives you the chance to highlight important info and show off your brand’s personality.
You can personalize elements such as:
- Phone number, store hours, health and safety measures
- Cover photos, logos, and services
- Attributes such as women-owned, Black-owned, LGBTQ+ friendly
- Text or video posts to highlight offers and events
- Products for sale
Your Google Business Profile is the center for your local marketing strategy. You can also use the Google My Business app to help edit your business information, respond to reviews, and manage your business wherever you are.
Get customer reviews
Ninety-three percent of new customers actively seek out reviews before they buy something. Opinions from previous customers help weary shoppers make a decision. While getting people to leave reviews is hard, it’s essential to build credibility and improve customer perception.
Reviews show up next to your Google Business Profile in Search and Maps. You can request reviews from customers by sharing a link specific to your business, or remind them in person at your store.
Another effective feature Google offers here is the ability to respond to customer reviews. So if a customer leaves a negative review, you can respond directly to it and resolve the issue immediately. If someone leaves a positive review, you can thank them publicly.
93% of new customers seek out reviews before they buy something. Your Google Business Profile helps encourage, manage, and respond to reviews and delight customers.
Post Regularly From Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
Staying in touch with your audience is a prime factor for SEO for contractors. Posts that come from your GBP are pretty much mini-blogs. They help give consumers important information as well as updates about your business.
Keep Track Of Your Reviews
Review signals are another factor when it comes to SEO for contractors. They also influence whether people will do business with you.
89% of people check out online reviews before visiting a business. 84% of them also trust online reviews as much as their peers. They’re also 31% more likely to do business with those that have great reviews.
If your business gets a bad review, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of your company. When this occurs, look to address the consumers’ concerns and work towards solutions that best address their pain points. Taking this kind of approach means consumers will be more likely to think highly of your business. They may even decide to change their rating to a good review.
When it comes to reviews, make sure to be proactive in requesting reviews, too. As individuals leave a positive review, remember to thank them. Such a people-first method means you’ll stand to gain the trust of your potential customers.
A Google Business Profile can help customers find your business easier, discover your products, help you share business updates and information, and earn you more sales.
So, how can you set up a Business Profile and maximize it for your business? You’ll find the answers in this guide.