Techssocial | Today, if we talk to anybody using the internet, Google is probably the first thing that pops up in their head. One of the most powerful search engines and an enormous tech giant has made a name for itself. It is involved in almost every aspect of our lives. And thanks to the ecosystem developed by the company, there is a tool for everything you can probably need or think of.
The Google platform is so popular that most people often use the term ‘Just Google it’, instead of saying ‘Surf the internet’ or anything of that sort. And when we speak of building a business profile and visibility, what better way than using this powerful ecosystem. Google’s Google My Business is one of the most efficient and economical platforms available for businesses. It doesn’t really matter if it a small home-based business or an established enterprise. Being listed on such a directory can offer great benefits and boosts the chances of getting the attention of the audience manifold.
Read through this Techssocial blog to know more about Google My Business and how can your business from it.
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Google My Business? Now what’s that?
Is it some app on the Play Store? Or is it Google’s new product for your business?
Google My Business is a platform offered by Google to the businesses to add their listings and details for their offerings. Which is in turn used by the search engine to generate relevant search results and showcase the businesses that meet the search criteria for the users.
These business listings are not just limited to search engine searches, but it can also be linked to various other sections like Local Park, Maps, and more. Thus, giving any listed business greater exposure to the audience.
Why should you use it anyway?
It isn’t a secret that Google is the most popular search engine and a recognized name. And having a business listing on a tool that is integrated into the search engine and other applications on the ecosystem is undoubtedly a big win for any business. You might ask, where is the benefit if everyone would be listed on it? Why should you go hear, when you have registered your business on specialized business directories that offer a wide range of promotional benefits. Well, apart from the obvious, here some other benefits of being on GMB.
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You get added to all of Google’s listings
Google My Business tool is well integrated with other Google tools and the search engine. This means that by adding yourself to the GMB list, your business would pop up in relevant web searches. Also, if you provide the physical location and contact details correctly, your listing would show up on the Maps. This would mean you get some premium listings at the premium places and catch the eye of the audience you didn’t know existed.
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Collect review and get insights into the business
Data is a powerful means to identify the trends and performance of a business. If you are a business that spends in digital marketing and SEO, you would understand the valuable inputs such trends analysis can offer for effective marketing strategies. For a public listing on Google My business, viewers, and customers can add reviews about the business’s products and services. They can even rate the company and share their experiences. This can, in turn, be a great means to tap into the public view of your business and utilize these insights to improve the customer experience.
Similar to other SEO tools and SEO expert methodologies, with GMB you can gain insights on the listing. Information like the number of views, the demographic of your audience, keywords associated with your business, and more. -
Increase your search visibility and improves SEO
While you keep up with your marketing strategies and SEO plans, you can enhance its effectiveness and increase your visibility with GMB listings. Contrary to the blog posts and website designing, Google Ads and listings can direct the audience to your doorsteps organically.
Let’s say you run a carwash business. And somebody needs to get their car detailed. They wouldn’t browse through blogs, instead, they would search for a good rated auto store nearby. And that’s where your Google Business listing could help you generate business. And your SEO strategies can help with the ratings. -
It costs you nothing
Yes, you read that correctly. Like most of the other Google Tools, Google My Business is completely free. And, there are no premium members or pay for useful. So, you get a complete experience at no cost and you get access to the potential of this powerful ecosystem with no investment. Apart from the effort of adding your business listing and updating the correct details. Furthermore, you can save on your advertising costs like social media ads. What better place to advertise your business than in a popular marketplace.
How to optimize your Google My Business Listing?
With the rewarding benefits and potential of the tools, a lot of businesses are listing themselves on GMB. Therefore, if you want to get the best of it for your business, you have to do a little more than just creating an account and registering yourself.
To reap the fruit of this amazing tool, you need to put in a little effort to set it up correctly and add many details as possible, so that Google can channel the right audience towards your business.
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Update the listing with all relevant details
The GMB listing includes a lot of categories and requires a lot of information about the business. Details like the address, services, and products offered, operating hours and locations, categories that relate to your business, contact details, and more. These might feel like an overhead, but this helps improve the quality of the listing and its performance.
You can choose if you wish to show certain details on the public listings or not. Furthermore, you can tag your listing with labels that would allow you to manage your listings and their performances individually. -
Add questions and review options on your GMB page
This feature is something similar to the FAQs and allows viewers to ask questions, post reviews, and share their ratings about the business. This is a great functionality that allows you to connect with your audience, answer their queries, and get insights on their feedback for your business.
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Adding posts and pics to your listings
Some time back, Google enabled the feature to add and show posts related to a listing. With this feature, users can scroll through the listed posts, pics, and get some insights about the business listing. For a business this is a great opportunity to make an impression and showcase their products and services.
Therefore, make your listings more interactive and appealing by sharing pics and posts of your business. If you have any upcoming sale or any new features, post an event as a calendar event for people to follow. Keep it engaging and relevant for your business and make a great first impression. -
Add descriptions about your business
The GMB descriptions are quite important when it comes to making the listing relevant and useful. This section usually shows under the name of your business and briefly talks about your business. These 250 characters (750 characters when the ‘About’ section is opened) can engage the audience and make all the difference. Furthermore, it tells the viewers what you offer and if it is relevant to them.
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Service listings and more
In the recent update, GMB added an option to add service listings and details for businesses. So, if you own a service business, you can list out your featuring services and details to give more details to your viewers.
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Chat with your customers through the Messaging feature
Effective customer engagements are a key component of successful business development and customer management. Utilize the Google My Business ‘Message’ feature to connect with your potential as well as current customers on their queries and suggestions. This direct chat system allows you to make an impression and helps build a relationship between the business and the consumers.
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Add links to your website and profiles
When creating a GMB listing, don’t forget to add links to your website and/or service pages. While Google would be doing its part to showcase your business to the right customers, it is up to you how you interact with them. And just adding a listing isn’t going to do it. Add listing to your website or online business profile and let users interact with your business and get more insights about your offerings.
Conclusion
Google My Business is quite an amazing tool. It has great features that can help you expand your business and build a strong profile. If used strategically, it can be used alongside your digital marketing stratsegie and SEO practices to enhance their effectiveness and generate value for your business. No matter if you own a small business or a well-doing enterprise, there is competition everywhere and also there is always a market yet to be tapped. So, use GMB to get ahead of the competition and take a step towards the future of digital marketing.
Hemant is Digital Marketer and he has 6 + years of experience in SEO, Content marketing, Infographic etc.