Find out how a free Google Business Profile can enhance your company’s online visibility
When was the last time you conducted a Google search? Yesterday? This morning? Thirty minutes ago? All of the above?? There’s no question that Google has a significant impact on our daily lives. No matter what the question is we simply ‘Google it’ to find the answer.
Undoubtedly, Google has become the default choice for finding products and services, receiving about 86 percent of search traffic worldwide as of September 2021. Google has made some significant changes lately affecting how customers find your company and learn more about what you have to offer.
Detailed GBP = Better SEO
Google My Business (GMB)—formerly also known as Google+ and Google Local—is now Google Business Profile (GBP). With that name change comes more support for managing your business profile directly in Google Search and Maps.
Say, for example, your business sells CPA services. If a customer in your neighborhood searches for those kinds of products will your business show up in their results? Make sure it does by taking advantage of Google Business Profile. This free marketing tool enables you to connect with customers, post updates, list your products and services, accept online orders and more.
Local searches utilizing Google are primarily powered from the information contained in Google Business Profiles, making this platform a major contributing factor for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). “Many brands fight for positioning in the top three listings shown on a search results page,” explains Lori Piencykoski, Digital Specialist at Marketing Direction. “A well optimized Google Business Profile along with regular new content and customer reviews will make your listing more credible, thus showing up more frequently and higher in the search results.”
Furthermore, a GBP is designed for any mobile device, so it will maximize your mobile SEO, too.
Nikola Bojkov with EmbedSocial says, “This is a move toward positioning the Google Business Profile as the best tool for local businesses to improve online presence, reach potential customers, get discovered and continue the communication with new customers.”
Preview Call History and More
Perhaps one of the most exciting new features of GBP is Preview Call History. This is currently in the beta testing phase and is only available to a few select companies in the US and Canada.
According to the Google Business Profile Help Center, Call History keeps track of phone calls from customers on Google Search and Maps. By tracking all of your calls in one place, Call History makes it easier to respond to missed calls and stay engaged with your customers. Calls that you get via your Google Business Profile start with a short message that lets you know they’re from Google.
“As a business owner, Call History is huge,” Lori states. “It tracks the date, time and phone number of each caller—even missed calls—allowing you the opportunity to respond. “For people who work their Google Business Profiles, it can be a real game changer.”
Additional attributes of the new GBP include:
- Appointment scheduling
- Direct messaging
- Promoting service options
- Leaving reviews more easily
- Responding quickly to reviews (Lori recommends that you always respond!)
- Creating a Google post in a quick popup to promote your special offers
- Viewing Google analytics and insights
- Updating your Google Business Profile such as phone number, business description/category, etc.
Harness the Power: Get New Customers
“Many business owners rely on Google Business Profiles for getting new business and making the phone ring through Google Search and Maps,” says Lori. Another benefit, she says, is that “companies utilizing a Business Profile can still have a web presence on Google without having to maintain a separate website.”
Whether you want foot traffic or web traffic, Google is the ultimate search referrer, according to Hootsuite. “A Google Business Profile helps ensure that people find your business when looking for products and services like yours in their local area.
“Customers are 2.7 times more likely to consider your business reputable if you have a complete Google Business Profile. They’re also 70 percent more likely to visit your location.”
Clearly, this free marketing tool is a great way to promote your business locally on the world’s most popular search engine. Read below for tips on how to harness the power of a Google Business Profile and contact Marketing Direction for more information.
