Why is a Google My Business page important?
Google My Business (GMB) is a free resource from Google that helps business owners manage their online presence. The key benefit for businesses is that their business location is verified by Google and then added to the Google map. This verification provides the basis for customers to discover your business location when performing “near me” searches. In addition, you can post your hours of operation and provide a link to your existing website.
GMB is FREE, as in F-R-E-E.
This free resource is the best step you can make to local search success. Optimizing for local search is important, especially for brick-and-mortar businesses serving specific towns, cities, regions, and even states. Google My Business profiles are a big part of local searches.
When done right, the Google Business Page allows people to find information about your business quickly and easily, putting them one step closer to a transaction. Everything that is posted to your Google My Business listing is quickly updated and visible to the public.
(1) Search results found for “Fairview Media Group”. (2) Business information in Google My Business listing.
Starting A Google My Business Listing
- Search for “Google My Business” online to begin.
- Enter your business name and address to start and the form will walk you through the information needed.
- Google will prompt you to review your info and make any final changes.
- Once you request to have your listing verified with Google, a postcard will be sent to your address that contains a numeric verification code.
- It may take a few weeks for your business info to show across Google.
- After your info is live, you can check it in your Business Profile. To find your profile, search for your business name and city in Google Search or Maps. Search results can vary for many reasons. The results shown for you may differ from those for someone else. Learn how Google ranks local results.
How Google sources and uses information in business listings
To provide users with the most complete and up-to-date information about places, Google displays local listings (including business listings) on Google Search and Google Maps, as well as third-party websites and applications via APIs such as those on the Google Maps Platform. Google may also use local listing information to generate insights and leads for enterprise customers.
Google Business Pages improve your ability to implement a location-based strategy
GMB offers the greatest impact for brands seeking local exposure.
The inbound link itself will hold local-specific relevance with search engines but there may be more benefit here than you know.
A feature like Google’s Local Search emphasizes the need for a GMB listing for both new and established businesses.
It gives a list of businesses nearby and a lot of information needed to find a specific business like:
- Business address.
- Business hours.
- Category.
- Reviews.
Manage Your Information
A great advantage of having a Google My Business page is the ability to control the information published on the page. GMB provides access for your business to update the information shown. Provide your customers with updated operating hours, website, phone number, street address and services provided. This makes it important to ensure your Google My Business page is fully optimized, accurate and up to date with critical information to provide your potential customers with the best experience during their search and research phase.
Google My Business also offers a range of features to attract and inform customers in your area such as menus, product lists, accepted payment methods, photos, and reviews.
Encourage Reviews to Optimize Your Local Business Listing
Reviews are one of the best ways to grow your GMB profile. They cost nothing but do much to raise your business’s profile to organic searchers. Think about how you might find a local general contractors if you have never employed one before.
You have no idea if the claims made on a contractor’s website are accurate since you don’t have third-party confirmation of areas such as costs and quality of workmanship.
In this case, what you need are GMB reviews to raise you up in local searches.
People who look up contractors in their area will be more likely to trust your business if they see you have 10 or 15 reviews in the four-to-five-star area.
Post on your Google Business Page.
Advertise new coupons, deals, and events in creative ways. You can even use images, videos, and call-to-action buttons to drive up user engagement.
Google Posts is a great GMB advertising method because its analytics feature lets you see how users interacted with whatever you posted. You can use the data you discover to craft even better posts next time.