Google is the most visited website around the globe. It has an impressive 92 percent of the overall search engine usage rate. Establishing a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a great way to attract potential customers to your business through Google search and the Google Maps application.
What Is a Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile is a free tool from Google that enables businesses to create a profile that can be seen across Google services. This profile includes information about the business, such as its location, services, and products. It also allows businesses to upload photos.
Creating a profile is a great way to increase visibility across Google services and may result in your information showing up in Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping. This free tool is only available to businesses providing in-person services, such as restaurants, stores, or consultants. Online-only businesses must use other Google tools, like Google Ads and Google Analytics, to promote their business.
Here are four ways an optimized Google Business Profile helps you get more customers:
- Get Discovered in Google and Google Maps
Creating a Google Business Profile helps ensure customers can easily find and connect with your business. It's a great way to reach local customers searching online, increasing the chances of your business coming up in relevant searches. Additionally, it can boost your local SEO, as a local business listing is more likely to appear when people search for a nearby business using Google Maps.
- Verify Location(s) for Customers to Find
Ensuring your business location is verified can help you appear more prominently in local search results on Google products such as Maps and Search. Additionally, having a verified location can boost your business in terms of the distance ranking factor, improving your chances of being seen by potential customers. You could request a verification postcard if you did not verify your location during the account creation process.
- Control Your Online Business Information
Google Business Profile is a tool that allows business owners to manage the information about their business that appears on Google. It lets you control the contact information, business hours, services offered, and other details available to people who find your business on Google. It can also be used to post updates about changes to your business, like if you've expanded services, temporarily closed, or fully reopened during times of emergency. Additionally, Google Business Profiles have a high ranking on local search engine results, meaning any information you post will appear above third-party sites that may have outdated information.
- Build Trust Through Reviews
Reviews are a great way to build trust and credibility with customers. Through star ratings and detailed reviews, Google allows customers to share their thoughts and experiences with businesses. This helps other potential customers decide which businesses to visit and products to buy. Seeing all positive and negative reviews on a public platform can be nerve-wracking, but it's better than all positive reviews since it is more believable.
Conclusion
Optimizing your Google Business Profile can effectively attract more customers and increase visibility for your business. By having a complete and accurate profile, potential customers can find your business more easily and better understand what you offer. Additionally, by taking advantage of the features a Google Business Profile offers, such as photos, reviews, and posts, you can further increase the chances of potential customers taking action. Doing so can help you make the most of your online presence and reach a larger audience.
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