“Google My Business is a free and easy-to-use tool for businesses and organizations to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps.” – Google
It is through this platform that a company can set up their online profile that will make them visible on the Google search engine when potential customers are looking for their store. The company profile will display as follows when a customer conducts a search:
Here customers can further click through to your profile that will show various information such as your trading hours, contact number, address, popular times, customer reviews/ratings and photos (taken by yourself as well as your customers).
Why use it?
There are various benefits to creating a Google My Business profile for your company, no matter your size:
Be visible and build trust
Having a Google My Business page will allow you to pop up when potential customers search for your company. Since your company profile and details pop up in an official google template, it also creates a sense of trustworthiness amongst those searching for your store.
Manage and provide information
Through your profile you are able to ensure that potential customers see specific and accurate information about your store. It also instantly provides them with the information they might need in order to make a purchasing decision, or visit your store, such as the trading hours, address, contact information etc.
Interact with customers
Through the Google My Business platform, customers are able to review your company and its products or services. These reviews are visible to anyone who searches for your company. Having positive reviews will create a good reputation for your company and persuade potential customers to consider your company.
You are also able to interact with customers via the reviews – thanking them for good reviews, or following up and correcting possible mistakes made with bad reviews. This will further make a good impression amongst potential customers and make them trust your product or service.
Collect and analyse data
Google My Business provides you with another channel through which you are able to collect and analyse important data. Here you can see how many people call you directly on the number listed, how many searches you have on Google maps, which photos on your profile have the most views (which could indicate popular products etc.), how people search for your company etc.
Reviews given by customers could also provide information about what people like about your business or its products and services, what they dislike, which employees leave a positive impression and so on.
How to use it
Any company, no matter the size, can create an online profile on the Google My Business platform for free. Simply visit Google My Business, sign up and follow the easy steps to create your online profile.
Once created, ensure that you stay relevant by regularly checking in, adding photos to your profile, updating your business information, and interacting with your customers via the reviews function.
If you need help with creating or managing your Google My Business account, we’re just one click away. Contact us today for a quote.
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