Most local businesses know they need to have an optimized website to come up in Google searches, but there’s another tool which enables business owners to manage how they appear online across Google and promote their goods or services locally.
One of the simplest ways to gain traffic and customers is by claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) listing. This listing highlights your best features, your business’ information, reviews, posts, and much more. It enables potential customers to quickly find and learn about your company or practice. And best of all—it’s completely free!
Why You Need a Google Business Profile Listing
Making your business visible online is as crucial as having a great product or service. If you’re not online, you’re invisible to a vast swath of potential customers. Here’s where a Google Business Profile (GBP) steps in as your knight in shining armor. But why is GBP such a game-changer? Let’s break it down.
1. Boost Your Local SEO
Local SEO focuses on optimizing a business’s online presence to attract local customers and is a critical strategy for capturing traffic from local searches. The two primary ways people search locally are using Google Maps or simply within their internet browser. A Google Business Profile (GBP) listing is critical for ranking in maps and can also help your website ranking.
Why It’s Crucial to Show Up in Local Searches
Ranking well locally on Google is monumental for local businesses. SEO Tribunal reports that 97% of people learn more about a local business online and 46% of all Google searches are linked to something local.
When potential customers search for businesses near them, Google prioritizes local listings in its results, often showing a Local Pack to users. This local 3-pack is the listing of three businesses that you see first in the search results when searching for terms using keywords like “near me” or by entering your location. By optimizing your GBP, you’re significantly increasing your chances of appearing in these coveted top spots. This means when someone searches for “best coffee shop near me,” your cafe has a fighting chance to top that list, driving more foot traffic through your doors.
2. Increase Online Presence and Trust
A well-maintained GBP listing provides potential customers with valuable information at a glance—your business hours, address, phone number, and even photos of your establishment or products. This readily available information not only boosts your online presence but also builds trust. Customers are more likely to visit businesses that have a complete and active online profile.
3. Garner Customer Reviews and Feedback
Google Business Profile is an excellent platform for collecting customer reviews, which are gold dust for businesses. Positive reviews boost your reputation, influence purchasing decisions, and improve your local SEO rankings. According to BrightLocal’s Consumer Review Survey, 81% of consumers use Google reviews to evaluate a local business.
Responding to Reviews
However, collecting reviews isn’t enough to get you new customers. Businesses also need to respond to reviews. 88% of consumers would use a business that replies to all of its reviews, compared to just 47% who would use a business that doesn’t respond to reviews at all. Responding to reviews, whether positive or negative, shows that you value customer feedback and are committed to customer satisfaction.
4. Access Valuable Insights
GBP offers insights and analytics that are nothing short of a treasure trove for businesses. You can see how customers are finding you (search keywords, direct searches, etc.), where they’re coming from, and even how many called your business directly from the listing. These insights are crucial for tailoring your marketing strategies and understanding customer behavior.
5. It’s Free and Easy to Use
Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of GBP is that it’s completely free. In a world where marketing costs can quickly spiral, having such a powerful tool at your disposal for free is a massive boon. Plus, setting up and maintaining your listing is straightforward, meaning you don’t need to be a tech whiz to get the most out of your GBP.
How to Create Your Google Business Profile
Google your business name and an “own this business?” prompt should appear on the right side of your screen. If you don’t see this prompt, it could mean someone has claimed it. You can request ownership through Google to reclaim your business. And if you don’t have an account at all, you can create one here.
Creating and verifying your profile can be done in a matter of hours but make sure to complete every section of your GBP listing. Make sure your contact information is accurate, as you could miss potential customers by having the wrong phone number or address listed. Also make sure to keep all your information as consistent as possible with what is displayed on your website. Google likes when things match up and can be verified.
Making the Most of Your Google Business Profile
Now that you’re convinced of the importance of having a GBP listing, here are a few tips to optimize your profile:
- Complete Your Profile: Fill in every detail possible—business hours, contact information, category, attributes, and more. The more complete your profile, the better.
- Add High-Quality Photos: Businesses with photos see significantly more engagement than those without. Showcase your products, services, and premises.
- Collect and Respond to Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and make sure to respond to them. This not only boosts your profile but also your relationship with customers.
- Post Regular Updates: Use GBP posts to inform customers about new products, offers, and updates. It’s a free advertising space!
In the end, the question isn’t whether you need a Google Business Profile listing but how quickly you can optimize it to start reaping the benefits. From boosting local SEO to providing invaluable customer insights, a GBP listing is a critical tool for any business aiming to enhance its online presence. Don’t let your business get lost in the digital shuffle. Make your mark with a Google Business Profile today.
Don’t have time to dive in and optimize your listing? Contact Precision Marketing Partners to help your business climb the ranks in local search results. It’s your time to shine in the digital spotlight.
