As times changes and people move into the age of a reliance on technology, it’s no surprise that our business marketing strategies do the same. More and more people are utilising online platforms to promote and engage with potential customers online and Google has made it easier for your business to be found online with their Google My Business platform. Acting as an avenue to gain more visibility and search engine results, Google My Business allows business owners to create a ‘business profile’ to attract potential customers to particular services. However, it is reported that only a little over half of all businesses don’t actually have a Google My Business listing. So below, we outline why having a Google My Business listing is essential for your business.
Earn trust and reputation with your customers
One of the biggest advantages of having a Google My Business profile is that it helps you to gain trust with your customers and develop yourself as a reputable company. If your company is relatively unknown, it can be hard for some customers to make the leap to engage your services. As Google is such a large company, customers can find it a relief to know that you are listed with Google and therefore be more likely to engage with you. Due to Googles’ stringent authentication process, only genuine listings are approved, adding to the potential likelihood of trust from your customers. It also helps to build customer trust and reputability when you have a physical address and information listed and available for them to view.
Show up on Google Maps
When you create a Google My Business listing, you are asked a series of questions about your business including your contact information, website and your business address. When you list your business address, it connects with Google’s multiple platforms and adds a Google map listing for you. This means that when people bring up google maps on their devices, your address listing is shown directly with your business name or listed as a red map pin for businesses in the proximity of the individuals search, increasing the likelihood of customers wanting to engage with your services. Potential customers like businesses within their search radius.
Rank higher in search results
The more information that you can feed to Google about your business, the more likely you are to rank higher on google searches. By filling your Google My Business profile with accurate and legitimate information, google can verify your listing as a genuine business and therefore ‘likes’ your business. Higher search rankings mean customers see you sooner, potentially translating to sales and services.
Track your businesses foot traffic
Once you have created a Google My Business listing, the backend dashboard of the listing allows you to control the information contained within your listing. This includes contact information, opening hours, photos, logos, websites and even a general blurb about your business and the services you offer. Within the dashboard, you can also review the ‘insights’ tab which allows you to analyse your foot traffic and local search performance. When used in conjunction with Google Analytics, this information can be greatly beneficial in showing you where your business is succeeding in search rankings and the areas to improve.
Monitor and display your business reviews
When looking for services, it is a common practice for potential customers to read existing reviews about other people’s experiences before making the decision to engage with a particular service. A Google My Business listing doubles as this review platform for your business. Customers can directly search and leave reviews and feedback on your listing about their experiences with your business. Not only do positive reviews boost your business appeal but you also get honest feedback about your business about what you are doing right and what can be improved. Having honest reviews on your listing also helps to build customer trust and business integrity. Higher ranked reviews also help to boost your listings ‘star rating’. The more stars, the more favourable your business. Aiming for a continued 5-star ranking should help boost your potential customer intake and people can easily see and compare your business against others in the market.
Free Google advertising
Dipping your toes in a Google Ads campaign is a great way for your business to improve its google rankings. But, unfortunately, it is not a free service. On the other hand, having a Google My Business listing offers you a fast and free form of advertising on the worlds biggest search engine. Your business gets targeted exposure on the big stage without spending a dollar. The time it takes to set up a Google My Business listing is significantly less than a targeted marketing campaign and results are fast acting. This is not to say that you shouldn’t use Google Ads or other SEO based marketing campaigns. They should be used in conjunction with each other if your budget allows. But the point is that having a Google My Business listing is another marketing strategy that should be utilised.
Maximise customer engagement
Your Google My Business listing is like an online version of the traditional phone book with so many additional features. Potential customers like convenience and easy engagement. Customers can directly call or email you as well as view your website, all from your Google My Business listing. Google has also introduced new functions, allowing businesses to create a ‘booking’ platform of sorts, allowing customers to make a reservation or book an appointment directly through your Google My Business listing. This convenience is a definite bonus for your business and likely to attract potential customers.
Get Googling
Whether you are a sole trader or a multinational conglomerate, having a Google My Business listing is essential for all businesses. With Google introducing more and more features to the Google My Business function, it is one of the most affordable and easiest ways to get your business out there. Start building trust and rapport with your potential customers. Set up your Google My Business listing today!
If you need help with establishing your Google My Business profile, don’t hesitate to contact the team at Jezweb. As experts in SEO and marketing, we make it our mission to promote businesses through all channels. We ensure that all our clients have a verified Google My Business listing, from large companies, right down to first time businesses. Don’t wait, call us today and let us help get you Googling.