Why Your Business Needs A Google Business Profile

If you’re a business owner, then you know that online marketing is essential in order to reach new customers and grow your business. And if you’re not using Google My Business, then you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of having a Google Business Profile, and how it can help your business grow.

What is Google My Business and what are the benefits for businesses?

Google Business Profile (previously known as Google My Business / GMB) is a free platform that allows businesses to manage their online information and interact with customers. When customers search for businesses like yours, your GMB profile will appear in the search results, along with important information like your address, hours of operation, and reviews.

Some of the benefits of having a GMB profile include:

Increased visibility in local Google search and Google Maps
The ability to connect with customers through reviews, Q&A, and messaging
Insights about how customers are finding and interacting with your business

How to set up a Google Business Profile

Creating a GMB profile is easy and only takes a few minutes. You can either create a new listing or claim an existing one.

If you’re creating a new listing, simply go to business.google.com and click “Create Your Business Profile on Google.” Then, follow the prompts to enter your business information.

If you’re claiming an existing listing, search for your business on Google and click “Own this business?” in the listing info box. You’ll then be prompted to verify your business.

Once you’ve verified your business, you can start managing your GMB listing by adding photos, updating your hours, responding to reviews, and more.

If you need help in setting up and optimising your Google Business Profile call us now on (08) 6118 0272

What to include in your profile

Now that you know how to set up your GMB profile, let’s take a look at some of the information you should include:

Company name

Be sure to use your official business name as it appears on your website, business cards, and other marketing materials.

Address and phone number

Customers need to be able to easily find your business, so include your full address and phone number. You can also add a link to your website.

NOTE: The Name, Address, and Phone number (often referred to as NAP) of your business MUST be consistent throughout all of your online properties. This creates trust and reliability in the eyes of Google. This means your website, social networks, business directories, and of course your Google Business Profile.

Business description

This is where you can really sell your business and tell customers what makes you unique. Keep it under 750 characters and be sure to include relevant keywords.

Hours

Let customers know when you’re open for business by adding your hours of operation. You can also specify if you have special hours for holidays or other events.

Photos

Make a great first impression by adding photos of your business, products, employees, and more. Be sure to add a cover photo and profile photo, as well as additional photos that showcase what your business has to offer.

If you’ve previously commissioned photography for your website or other marketing, by all means, upload these if they demonstrate your services, products, or staff.

Appointment URL

If you offer appointment-based services, you can include a link so customers can easily book an appointment with you.

Services

This is where you can list all of the services that your business offers.

Attributes

Do you offer special services like wifi, parking, or accept credit cards? Include those attributes here.

Products

If you sell products, be sure to add them to your GMB profile so customers can learn more about what you have to offer.

Action buttons

There are several action buttons that you can add to your GMB listing, including “Book,” “Order Online,” “Buy,” and more. These action buttons make it easy for customers to take the next step with your business.

How to optimize your profile for search engine ranking

Once you’ve created your GMB profile, there are a few additional things you can do to optimize it for local seo:

Choose the correct primary and secondary categories for your business.
Include keywords in your business title

Note: Only do this if the keywords are very relevant and appear prominently on your website as your primary service or product. Be careful not to stuff keywords here as it will likely work against you, instead of for you.

Include keywords in your business description
Make sure your NAP is consistent across all online properties
Gain as many genuine high scoring reviews as you can

There are many more things that you can do to optimise your profile, but the above factors are the main factors that you should address first.

Tips for using Google My Business effectively

Now that you know how to set up and optimize your GMB profile, let’s take a look at some tips for using it effectively:

Respond to reviews

Make sure you’re monitoring your reviews and responding to them, both the good and the bad. This shows customers that you’re active on your profile and care about what they have to say.

Post updates and special offers

Use your GMB profile to post updates about your business, such as new products or services, special offers, and events. This is a great way to keep customers in the loop about what’s going on with your business. This demonstrates to customers that there are genuine REAL people behind the business. Building trust with your customers is as important as building trust with Google.

Ask customers for reviews

Make it easy for customers to leave reviews by asking them to do so. You can include a link in your email signature, on your website, or even on receipts. The more reviews you have, the better!

FAQs about Google Business Profiles

It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for your GMB listing to show up in search results.

No, you don’t need a website to create a GMB listing. However, we do recommend having a website so you can include a link to it on your GMB profile.

Yes, you can have multiple GMB listings if you have multiple businesses or locations. However, each listing must be verified separately.

There’s no set rule for how often you should post updates to your GMB profile. However, we recommend posting at least once a week to keep your profile active and engaged.

Google My Business is an incredibly valuable tool for local businesses. It’s free to create a profile and it can help you to reach new customers, build trust with them, and keep them updated on what’s going on with your business. In order to get the most out of Google My Business, make sure you’re optimizing your profile correctly and post updates regularly. Finally, don’t forget to respond to reviews, both good and bad! By following these tips, you can make the most out of your Google My Business profile and see real results for your business.