Google My Business is a powerful tool that can help your business get found online. It allows you to create a free business listing on Google, which will show up in search results when people are looking for businesses like yours. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about Google My Business including how to set up your account, add information about your business, and start driving more traffic to your website.
What is Google My Business (GMB)?
Google My Business is a free business listing service provided by Google. It allows businesses to create a listing on Google, which will show up in search results when people are looking for businesses like yours. Having a GMB listing is important because it helps you get found online and provides potential customers with information about your business, such as your address, phone number, hours of operation, and more.
As an example, type ‘electricians near me’ into Google and it will immediately suggest some local businesses on a map. If you click on one of these listings, it will take you to their GMB page where you can learn more about the business and even read customer reviews. Without a GMB profile, potential customers would have a harder time finding your business online and you could be missing out on valuable leads. Instead of seeing your details, they see the details of competitors (nobody wants this!).
Creating Your GMB Profile
If you’re a business owner, setting up a GMB listing is a no-brainer and it’s quite simple to do. Just head to the GMB website and sign in with your Google account. Once you’re signed in, you can either search for your business or add it manually. If you can’t find your business, make sure you’re searching in the correct category.
If you choose to add your business manually, you’ll be asked to verify your listing via mail or phone. This is a measure put in place by Google to ensure that only legitimate businesses are represented on GMB; you can’t claim another business and nobody can claim yours.
Once you’re verified, you’ll be able to fill out your business profile with all the relevant information potential customers might be looking for: hours, location, phone number, website, etc. You can also add photos and videos, which is a great way to show off your business and what it has to offer.
Benefits of Using Google My Business
We appreciate that your to-do list is long, so why invest time into Google My Business this year? The answer is simple: because it can help you attract new customers. If you don’t have time, use SEO services from King Kong Co or outsource another area to relieve the burden on your team.
According to Google, “78% of people say they’ve used a business’s location info to decide whether to visit them.” If you want potential customers in your area to find you, it’s important to have an accurate and up to date GMB listing.
Additionally, GMB can help you manage your online reputation. When customers search for your business on Google, they’ll not only see your contact info and hours but also reviews from other customers. If you have a lot of positive reviews, that can help attract new business. And if you have negative reviews, you can use GMB to respond publicly and try to resolve the issue.
Finally, GMB can also give you insights into how customers are finding and interacting with your business online. Google My Business Insights show you things like how many people have viewed your listing, how many people have called your business, and how your customers found you. This information can be really valuable in helping you fine-tune your marketing strategy.