Google Business Profile, formerly known as Google My Business, is an excellent tool for you to expand your business in 2022.
Made by the search-masters at Google, it is a complete dashboard for you to manage your business’ Google presence. Google My Business allows you to manage your business’ online listing by controlling how it appears in Google search results.
What Is Google My Business?
When you search for a barbershop near you, Google provides you with a list of Barbershops that are nearby as per your location. You can click on any of the results that have appeared, and you will be provided with the details, location, and contact information of that business. Ever wondered who gives Google this information?
This information is provided to Google by business owners or managers through their Google My Business profile. It’s a free tool that Google provides to Businesses’ having a physical presence. Businesses can add all their important information, such as opening and closing times, contact information, a website URL, ratings, Google Maps location, and so on.
Why Do You Need Google My Business In 2022?
Google owns the majority of shares in searches done online. A recent report found that around 92% of online searches were done on Google. This is why businesses need to be on Google’s listings and try to rank higher there.
Some new Business owners get engulfed in doubts about whether they need a Google Business profile in this decade. They might consider other options, like, running Google Ads, Instagram Ads, Social Media Marketing, Multi-Media Marketing, etc.
A Google Business listing will help your business grow and improve your market presence. This may translate into higher revenues and profit for you at little or no cost. May we remind you that Google My Business is completely free to use? With the right SEO strategy, you’ll rank higher in the listings and achieve your business goals faster than anticipated
How Does Google Business Help You Grow In 2022?
With the advent of the digital era, businesses are increasingly going online. Gone are the days when having a storefront was everything a business was about.
Today, there are restaurants that function online and have no physical stores. In such an age, your business is judged by the online presence it maintains, this is as true for Clothing & Accessories shops as it is for Clinics & Hospitals. Everyone has to be online to survive.
Here’s how Google Business can help you grow online:
Expand Your Online Presence
When potential customers type in a search term or query that relates to the services your business or other businesses like yours provide, Google shows you a Local 3-Pack list that has the names of the relevant businesses.
For expanding your Online Presence, your aim should be to make your Business as relevant as possible to a number of queries. Google My Business profiles let you implement an SEO strategy through which you can rank higher in listings and appear for a number of relevant queries.
When you complete your My Business profile, Google starts showing your business to potential customers nearby when they search for relevant search terms.
Keep Your Customers Informed
When any existing or potential customer needs any information regarding your business, for example, contact, location, timings, etc., they can get it with a few clicks. They are not required to call your store anymore and the information they want is easily accessible through Google.
Google gets this information through your Google My Business profile. This way, Google Business Profile becomes an easy way to share updated information with your customers. Your customers will always know when you open your shop or close it.
We recommend that you keep updating the information regularly for better customer interaction.
Reviews For Your Services
Google has an option where you can review a business online. If you have a Google My Business profile, your business can be reviewed by customers who have availed of your services.
This way, your brand can gain credibility and more customer. The ratings you get will also help in bettering your SEO strategy.
You can share your Google My Business Profile with your customers using the share options. If they have liked your services, you can ask them to review them. Another novel method of getting more reviews is by keeping a QR code pasted on your shopfront that is linked to your Google My Business Profile.
Answering Queries and Staying Connected
Potential customers can ask your queries if you have a Google Business profile. This direct messaging feature was launched recently by Google Maps.
It is easy for potential customers to air their concerns and questions to you without visiting your store. It is another way for you to expand your business online through Google My Business.
Most customers will ask you routine questions or questions in relation to your inventory or services. Therefore, you can ask your store manager to handle the Google My Business Profile for answering queries. There is an alert feature in the app that will notify you whenever there is a new question.
Link With Your Website
Your Google My Business profile might be the biggest potential source of website visits for you that you haven’t yet exploited. If you have a business website, and you don’t have a Business Profile on Google, then you’re missing out on a lot of revenue. Why? Let us tell you.
In your Google My Business Profile, there is an option for customers to click on the website of the business. If you put your website link there, chances are customers will click on it and be exposed to your services. This increases your chances of revenue growing by a huge margin
Professionalism and Industry Standard
In the age of technology, some things are expected of you. Similarly, having a Google My Business Profile is something that your customers might be expecting of you. Because the use of Google and Google service is so widespread, people have attached some expectations about how business appear there.
Therefore, people would take it negatively if your business does not appear on a Google search and there is no business profile to get information from.
[Recommeded reading: Do Google Five Star Reviews Help SEO?]
[Image credits – Main Photo by Tim Douglas; other images, videos, infographics or screen prints are from their respective websites and/or social platforms]
Melissa How has 20 years of experience in Digital Marketing and works with small businesses that wish to achieve goals and drive growth.
As a highly regarded Marketing Consultant, Melissa enjoys empowering others. Knowledge builds confidence and bringing expertise to the team improves marketing competencies and accelerates results.