Google My Business is a free online tool which helps businesses and brands to create and manage their Google listings. The type of listing which appear when customers find a service offered by those businesses on Google Search. It helps the business get more customers and share their information. On the other hand, Google my business helps people to find the services they need, local to their location.
Why it’s necessary to list on the Google search and Maps?
Today almost every customer search online when they want to find a business or service. 7 out of 10 shopped from a business they found using search engines. By listing your business on Google, it can appear exactly when people search for products or services you offer. This allows interested customers to learn more about your brand or get in touch with you when they are in a need of your service.
Today millions of businesses all around the world are on the map and connecting directly with their customers. For example, Futzz from New Delhi, India gets 30% of its customers through Google by managing their reviews and regularly posting their special offers and events.
How would “Google My Business” help me to optimize my business?
Google Business helps businesses get more customers. Specifically, it can help businesses:
Look relevant by sharing latest and useful information – Customers generally do an online search to look for specific information e.g., directions, opening hours, photos, offers and to compare businesses. By sharing the useful and latest information, photos and offers you can use GMB to tell customers what makes your brand relevant and special
Catch up with customers – Customers share photos, leave reviews, and reach out to businesses right from their phones. Google My Business give you an opportunity to join the conversation about your business. Respond to customer reviews, answer questions, and get more inquiries and calls from interested customers.
Create a free mobile-optimized site in less than 20 minutes: –With GMB, you can build a free webpage or website that looks great and does the job. The free website builder makes it easy to design and edit your website from your computer and phone.
Discover how customers find you – Google My Business gives you information about how a customer finds you and interacts with your listing. You can keep a track on information about the number of searches for your business, incoming phone calls you received and how many requested for directions of your business. It also gives you other information like which photos get noticed, and where your customers generally come from.
Why do I need to verify my business on Google My Business?
You must verify your business on Google my business as it would show your brand information on Google Maps, Search, and other Google properties. The listing verification process helps in ensuring that your business or brand information is relevant & accurate. It would show that only you, the business owner or company’s manager, has access to it. Until you have completed verification, you would have only limited access to edit the business information that appears on Google. Verified businesses are more as likely to be considered reputable by online users.
How do I list my business on Google my business?
You can list your business on Google in 4 simple steps:
- Go to Google My Business to sign-up and create a new account
- Enter Your Business details like name and address in the Search Box. Select a listing if it appears amongst the suggested matches, or create a new one and provide the required and necessary information
- Verify Your Business: Google will verify it to make sure that your business is located where you say that it is. You will have to wait for maximum of 1-2 weeks for a postcard with a verification PIN on your listed address. Use the pin to verify your listing and use the verified account
- Complete verification and start sharing latest information and services
Some tips and tricks
Businesses with complete with contact information, photos and reviews have a much better chance of getting customer’s attention when they are searching online. A research performed by Google suggests that customers are 50% more likely to consider purchasing from businesses with a complete information and listing. Positive reviews, relevant photos and offers are important pieces of information that help customers in choosing your brand/business.
Tips to increase your website ranking on google search.
Important tips to optimize your business listing to target the right audience:
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- Claim Your Business Listing: Do a Google search to see if your business comes up on local listings, you can then claim your business listing and verify that you are the owner
- Submit a Complete Profile: While creating your Google my business page, make sure to enter all the relevant business information. It is the business address and phone number, opening & closing hours and most importantly business website.
- Ask Customer to write Reviews: 90% of customers say positive reviews was an important factor which helped them in selecting a business/store to purchase from. Ask your customers to write a review about your business on Google to generate more sales.
- Add relevant Photos and offers: Shoppers all around the world are more likely to go for a business with photos on their Google listing. 2 out of 3 shoppers also look for promotions or discounts when searching online. By posting relevant photos, offers and events you can make the most of the moment’s customers search.
