When was the last time you used Google to find a local business? Whether you’re looking for a coffee shop to meet a colleague for a latte, or a handyman to do some work around your house, a Google Business Profile is where you can find all the information you need to make your choice.
From business hours to customer reviews, a business’s Google Business Profile is an opportunity for business owners to provide as much helpful information as possible to set them apart from their competitors and convert customers. Statistics show that an average local business will receive 1,260 views monthly with Google Business, making it one of the most effective marketing strategies for small businesses. In fact, 87% of customers used Google to decide on a business in 2022.
Learn how to make the most of your Google Business Profile and how you can use it to grow your customer base fast.
What is a Google Business Profile and Why Do You Need One?
Google Business Profile is a free and easy-to-use tool for businesses and organizations to manage their online presence on Google. These business profiles appear in Google search results and Google Maps results when you use search terms like, “coffee shops near me.”
Your business’s Google Business Profile is an extremely important part of local SEO, because it connects you with nearby customers. Your visibility in local search results and on platforms like Google Maps increases your chances of attracting foot traffic, phone calls, and website visits from local customers.
Your Google Business Profile includes customer reviews, photos, and video of your products and services which can help convert prospective customers.
How to Create A Google Business Profile
To claim your Google Business Profile, visit google.com/business, log into your Google account, and enter your business name. In some cases, you will have to submit photos or videos of your office to verify your business location, but in other cases it may be as simple as getting something mailed to you. Once your business is verified, you can start filling out your profile with your business information. This includes your business hours, a link to your website, your business phone number, and more. Make sure every area of your profile is complete for the best results
Make sure your profile is complete
After your business is verified, your Business Profile displays across all of Google. However, if your profile isn’t complete, it may be harder for customers to find and engage with your business. Considering the fact that customers are 70% more likely to visit and 50% more likely to consider purchasing from businesses with a complete Business Profile, this is the most important step.
Incorporate keywords into your business description
Just like you infuse keywords into your website content for SEO, you should do the same with your Google Business Profile.
Include important keywords and search phrases to your business description and each time you create a local post to ensure that your business shows up when customers are searching for you. Photos help business profiles’ performance more than most business owners and marketers probably expect.
Businesses with photos on their profiles receive 42% more requests for driving directions on Google Maps and 35% more click-throughs to their websites than businesses without photos, according to Google.
Manage and respond to customer reviews
Interacting with customer reviews shows that your business values their customers’ feedback. Try creating templated responses that you can refer to so that you can manage reviews quickly and authentically. When a prospective customer sees positive reviews or a business’s response to a negative review, they may be more inclined to consider that business. In fact, 95% of customers read online reviews before buying a product.
To gather as many customer reviews as possible, encourage your customers to leave feedback by sharing the review link with them after they make a purchase. Try emailing them the link with their receipt, or create a business card with a QR code that you can slip into their shopping bag.
Enable messages
By enabling messages from customers on your Google Business Profile, you can easily answer questions and inquiries from potential customers who are looking for your products and services. Enabling this feature and responding promptly can be the difference between attracting a new customer and losing out to the competition.
To enable messages, simply turn on “Messages” in the Google Business Profile app. For maximum performance and visibility through the GBP, it’s critical to keep message response time under 24 hours. To help with managing responses, you can create customized automated responses to welcome customers for incoming messages.
Use local posts
Did you know that you can publish offers, events, products, and services directly to Google Search and Maps through posts on Google Business Profiles? To create a post, go to your Google Business Profile and tap “Promote.” From there, you can add photos, videos, texts, events, offers, and a button to your post.
Don’t Miss Out On The Benefits of Local Search
Don’t wait another moment to claim your business’s Google Business Profile. Set up and optimize your profile now to attract more customers to your website. If you need help optimizing your profile, or are interested in additional SEO services, set up a discovery call today.
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