Get started with Google Business Profiles by understanding these key features:
For those reasons, it is essential somebody is effectively managing your Google Business Profile. That person can be you as the business owner, a trusted staff member or in the case of larger businesses, an agency.
All businesses, no matter how large or small can benefit massively from being proactive with this free tool provided by Google. The flip side is that if ignored and left alone, there can also be a downside for your business.
1. Ensure your business is on Google
It is still common to hear about businesses that don’t have a listing on Google at all.
For instance, the business may have moved address or set up a new site and have not added the listing to Google. Similarly, a site may have been closed permanently and still reflect on Google until it’s updated.
Therefore, today you should make sure all of your sites have listings on Google as a starting point.
2. Claim your Google Business Profile
Claiming your business profile on Google offers several important benefits.
- It improves your visibility and online presence by making your business more discoverable in Google Search, Google Maps, and local search listings.
- You can provide accurate and up-to-date information about your business, including your name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and customer reviews.
- Interacting with customers becomes easier as you can respond to reviews, answer questions, and provide valuable information.
- Positive reviews and high ratings on your Google business page can attract more customers and build a positive brand reputation.
- Having consistent and accurate information across various online platforms also helps with search engine optimisation (SEO) efforts.
3. Manage key business information
Potential buyers will see your listing and look for more information. Therefore this information must be available and accurate.
Key information includes:
- Opening hours
- Telephone number
- Website link to your home page
It is also important to add photos & videos of your business to build trust & confidence with potential buyers. Additionally, there are other tools to take advantage of once you’ve got the basics under control.
4. Monitor and reply to reviews
Google reviews can be very influential to a potential new customer.
In addition to needing a good number of positive Google reviews, it is important that you monitor and reply to all reviews.
This can be done directly from the Google Business dashboard or from a software platform like interact.
Responses are shared with the reviewer and displayed publicly for anybody to see. Your responses are important and are your opportunity to influence the person reading, particularly if the review is critical of your business in any way. Your response will be shared with the reviewer and should be viewed as another opportunity to impress your customer.
Once you’re on top of these fundamentals, it’s time to attract more customers by optimising your listing and generating more Google reviews.
