Introduction
Google search, or googling as we often refer to it, has come to represent the term search. Thus, the best thing you can do as a business owner is to create a business profile. Potential consumers will be able to see you and your company profile as a result. This will assist you in earning the trust and loyalty of your clients. You must get used to the digital technologies that facilitate your company's online expansion. The fact cannot be ignored. In that case, Google My Business (GMB), before known as Google Business Profile, is the procedure. Small and local companies benefit the most from GMB.
You have an advantage over your rivals who haven't listed their firms via Google My Business to list your company. When a customer looks for the goods or services you provide on Google, it increases the amount of traffic to your website. Through Google Maps, visitors are also directed to your services. We will discuss how to improve your company's exposure with Google my business in this blog.
How Does Google My Business Work?
The local business listing service known as Google My Business (or GMB) is run by Google. The prerequisite for using it is that you engage in some sort of face-to-face engagement with your consumers. It is free to use. In short, it is impossible to have a Google My Business listing if you are online.
You have seen it appear in Google search results if you've ever done a local search.
Google gives you the option to claim and launch your business. By doing this, your website will show up in search results when someone searches for a service you offer.
You can include a list of the services you offer, a FAQ, a few images, and the ability for clients to submit reviews about your company. You may even give your company a few intriguing qualities that will appear in your Knowledge Graph, like online care, online appointments, online estimates, and online classes.
How To Increase Sales in 2023 Using Google My Business?
An optimized Google My Business Profile is the ideal tool for this if you want your company to be successful in 2023. With a market share of over 92% among search engines, Google is one of the most popular websites.
You can thus locate and draw in more clients, boost your sales, and more with the aid of a Google Business Profile on the website.
Companies with physical locations can post a free business listing on their website with their address, information about their products and services, and images by using Google Business Profile. Thus, businesses can reach more customers because their information might appear not only in Google Search but also on Google Maps and Google Shopping.
Online businesses may use Google Analytics and Google Ads instead of publishing a Google My Business Profile, which is prohibited. A Google My Business account, yet, can assist you with these tasks if you run a restaurant, retail establishment, accommodation, or service business:-
- No other search engine is used as much as Google, so it gets found there (and on Google Maps). Besides facilitating consumer discovery and boosting website and in-person traffic, a Google My Business profile will enhance local SEO.
- Control your online business information - Whatever changes your company experiences (such as extended hours, a new phone number, etc.), you can update them on our Google My Business Profile for the benefit of all clients.
- Build trust by using reviews. A company's success depends on its online reputation. Businesses with a high number of good reviews are prone to be trusted and chosen as they come across as more reliable.
You can manage messages and reviews, publish advertising, and more with a Google Business Profile. You must first create a Google My Business profile before optimizing it. the following steps:-
Open the Google Business Manager Profile.
- Type your company name here.
- Indicate where you are.
- Enter your contact details.
- Verify your company to confirm your physical location, Google will send you a postcard.
- Add your company's description, operating times, message settings, and pictures to your profile.
Although separating yourself from the competition is difficult, you can ensure that your profile ranks higher so that more people can find you by using our tips and tricks.
It's time to optimize your Google My Business profile after you've created one and confirmed it. Add details like your company name, address, hours of operation, and contact details.
You should take these aspects into account because Google ranks local companies according to their proximity to the searcher, relevance, and prominence. They are measured by SEO, review score, the number of reviews, and links.
Our Learners Also Read: What Is Google Tag Manager And Why To Use It?
How Do I Configure Google My Business? (And Be Added To Google)
Local search is aided by setting up your Google My Business page and becoming featured on Google. To create a Google My Business profile for your company, follow these steps:-
1. Make A Google Account First
To start with, a Google account is required to build your listing. Start with making a Google account if you don't have one. For other possibilities, type "create Google account" into Google. It will take you to the screen shown above, where you can create a Google account with the necessary information.
2. Define Your Company
As soon as you've logged in with your Google account, go to "google.com/business". In the search box, enter the name of your company to see if it comes up. If so, you have the right to claim ownership of the company. If it doesn't, you must build your listing.
3. Choose The Right Category
Next, choose the business category. Choose the closest category to prevent any confusion for the visitor who performs a Google search for the precise products and services you offer or associated products and services.
4. Add Your Business Address
A well-integrated search engine is Google. Google Maps and your Google business profile will work together. If you have a storefront or office, you should provide your full postal address and specify your precise location on Google Maps.
5. Contact Information
Include your phone number and other contact details so that visitors can get in touch with you if they so choose. You might include the web address on the page on your website where you advertise the goods and services you offer. which will aid in turning those who visit your website into potential customers.
6. Verification
Verify your ownership by sending a letter to your home address with a PIN that you must enter to prove that you are the company's owner. When verifying the account by mail, you must provide your name.
It is preferable if you gather the information that each section of the setup procedure requires you to provide. Your listing has a better chance of doing well in the search engine results the more information it has.
Ways For Google My Business Verification
You have a variety of alternatives to authenticate your business, depending on the type of business listing you are seeking to manage or get listed in:
1. Check Through Postal Mail (Postcard)
Postcard communication is the most common. Verify your business address is accurate while logged into your GMB profile, then click "Mail."
You must log into your Google account after it arrives, select "Verify" from the menu, and then input the verification code from your postcard.
Google advises against the following while you wait for your postcard to arrive:-
- Change the name of your company
- Change your address
- Reclassify the business category
- Ask for a new code.
This could cause a delay in the verification process and entail contacting Google customer care.
2. Phone Verification
Some companies can phone Google to confirm their listing. If you are affected, you will see a "Verify by phone" option. You will receive a text message with a verification code if your phone number is accurate.
3. Email Verification
Some companies can email Google to confirm their listing. If this pertains to you, you will have the option to "Verify by email". A link to authenticate your listing will be given to you, so double-check your email address.
4. Mass Confirmation
Bulk verification may be open to you if your company has more than 10 locations. To qualify, you must be a service provider or work for a group with authority over several companies.
To confirm your Google My Business listings in bulk, follow these steps:-
- Become an affiliate of Google My Business and select a location.
- "Get verified" should be located next to a location.
- Select "Chain" from the menu.
- Now complete the form with all the necessary details (company name, address, phone number, etc.).
- Send the form (Google may take up to a week to process it).
5. Instant Verification
You may be able to verify your listing if your business has already been confirmed with Google Search Console.
To complete the process, only log in to Google My Business with the same account you used to confirm your business with Search Console.
It is not possible to verify some GMB business categories. Use a different verification method if you don't see a notification asking you to confirm your listing.
Get Your GMB Profile Up And Running By Optimising It
For the account to function at its best after account setup, you must perform search engine optimization, or SEO, on your business profile for Google.
You must use a few aspects of the Google My Business platform if you want your business profile to be optimized. Let's look at why it's important to pay attention to these aspects when you're boosting your business profile and how they affect how well your company performs online.
By using the next SEO tactic, you may improve your search engine results and make the most of Google My Business as a powerful marketing tool.
1. Finish Every Stage
Try to provide all the information about your company that the platform requests, including your business's physical address, email address, business days, hours of operation, other business data, principal business category, etc.
The potential of organic search for your company is increased the more accurate the material is.
2. Clear Contact Details
Give the name of your company the way it appears on the board outside of your shop or outlet. Google also takes into account any discrepancies that can be caused by the name. So make sure the name of your company is the same across all platforms. Give your company's phone number as well.
Include your operating hours and holidays. Additionally, make frequent updates to your outlet's hours. Update the status of your availability if there is an emergency and the store cannot remain open during regular business hours. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing a customer who finds your store online but decides against shopping there after discovering it is closed.
3. Photos
A profile containing images gives credence to the legitimacy of the business listing. It increases the listing's visibility as well. With photos, a company listing is more inclined to be suggested in search results. Your platform activity will be shown by the frequent addition of photos to your profile. Also, there is a feature that allows others to upload photos to your business profile. You will have a diverse and varied collection of images once everyone has added their own and yours. More people will use Google Maps to get directions the more photos you have. It will encourage them to visit your website where they can learn more about your company.
How to upload or change photos on your Google Profile:-
- Click Photos in the left menu from the dashboard.
- Add your cover photo and logo first. You have three options for images: one you upload, one from your Business Profile albums, or one with your company's name on it.
- In the top menu of the photos page, select At Work or Team to add more pictures.
- Click the Video button at the top of the photographs page to add videos.
4. Categories & Attributes
Make sure to be as specific as you can when creating your categories. This is important for your listing when people look for things connected to your business. A significant portion of views on a Google Business profile come from unrelated queries. 84% of searches for a business are discovery searches, according to data from GMB supplied by Bright Local. When a customer types in a phrase connected to your company, Google may display your business profile if you have selected the appropriate category. Make an effort to provide elements that are unique to that category.
Include Unique Qualities and Traits
Depending on the category you've selected, special capabilities are accessible for Google business accounts.
Here is a list of the features that are offered according to category:-
- Hotels may list amenities, check-in and check-out timings, highlights, environmental initiatives, and class ratings.
- Menus, images of popular dishes, and dish photographs can all be uploaded by pubs and restaurants.
- Businesses that focus on providing services may advertise their offerings.
- In the US, healthcare practitioners can include information about health insurance.
Also, depending on their category, businesses can choose from a variety of buttons, including those for orders, reservations, and appointment bookings.
How to include or change attributes:-
- Go to the dashboard and select Info.
- Add attributes may be found under From the business. If you've already contributed qualities and want to add more, click the pencil next to From the business.
- Click Apply after checking the pertinent boxes next to all the items that are appropriate for your company.
1. Reviews and Questions
Reviews reveal the discussion about your company. Inquire about the opinions of the clients who are close to you about the goods or services they have used. If asked, the majority of people will agree to review. Customers who view your company profile are influenced by reviews. Which listing would you pick if you had to choose between a company listing with reviews and one without? If your business profile has reviews, you have an advantage over your rivals who don't.
Make time to address each question or comment. Your company will gain from it. Respond to consumers who are unhappy with your service or product in a polite manner, and make an effort to solicit feedback.
The lifeblood of your firm is its clients. As a result, be careful to show them that you respect their feedback and evaluations by replying to them.
It is simple for consumers to add evaluations about your company to your page on Google My Business, and prospective clients may read them there as well.
2. Posting Often
Post any deals you're running, events you're planning, and business-related announcements. Post any changes to the number of rooms available as well as other pertinent information. You can change any of the information in your business listing if you'd like. You may track your GMB profile on your dashboard as well.
Your business profile appears complete with all the elements. These may seem like insignificant particulars, but they have a significant impact on how well the business listing functions as a whole. These minute features increase the search engine discoverability of the company.
Make sure that you make any changes to your contact information, business hours, or other details in the dashboard of your Google My Business Profile. Also, you can write posts about news, special offers, occasions, or other updates.
Here's how to write and publish posts for Google My Business:-
- On the dashboard, select "Posts" from the left-hand menu.
- Then click "Create Post."
- Now select whether you want to post about an offer, update, item, or event and add the appropriate details.
Is SEO Affected By Google My Business?
Google My Business can indeed have an impact on a company's SEO (Search Engine Optimization) rankings. Local search results tend to be affected by Google My Business signals, which include the relevance, proximity, and prominence of a business's listing. A business's visibility and ranking on Google Maps and in local search results can both be enhanced by a right-optimized Google My Business listing. Also, companies that have optimized their Google My Business listings have a higher chance of showing up in the "Local Pack," or the first three listings that appear at the top of search results. Because of this, companies must claim and enhance their Google My Business listing to better their local SEO efforts.
Conclusion
Possessing a Google My Business profile is as important as other techniques when it comes to developing an online presence, generating leads, and standing out. This not only gives your brand an attractive look but also gives you control over what potential customers see and enables you to advertise your company for free on another Google property.
No matter what sector you operate in, if your company has a physical address, you need a Google My Business page. Customers can read reviews, view images of your goods or store interiors, and gain more information to assist them in deciding whether to visit and buy from you. It is easier for them to discover you in Google Maps and Search.
Once you have created your profile, be sure to optimize it and keep all your data current. It's the finest technique to begin giving folks a fantastic experience, which might convert prospects into clients and afterward aid in the expansion of your organization.
