You have certainly used the Google search engine or Google Maps several times to look for a business. Likewise, your customers do too.
Google My Business is a free tool from Google that allows you to make your business more prominent in Google search results by creating a business page.
After creating the page, and depending on the search term used and the user’s location, your company or business is displayed on the Google search engine, or on Google Maps. But what are the advantages that Google My Business brings to a business?
Disclosure and reach
Presence on Google My Business is an excellent way to promote and increase the reach of your business without the need for a large investment.
In addition to spreading it to all people with Internet access, more importantly, you are spreading it to those who are looking for your service or product.
For example, anyone, wherever they are in the world, searching for “Bar Porto” will have access to bars located in Porto.
SEO
A business on Google My Business, increases the indexing of your site in search engines, thus managing to improve SEO without having to have knowledge about it.
Search results appear taking into account the proximity, relevance and quality of customer reviews.
An important aspect to remember is that most people don’t go beyond the first page of Google search, which makes your business’s presence on the first page very important.
Advantage over the competition
Consumers are increasingly looking for services and products on the Internet. When researching, if your competition does not have an account on this platform, there is a greater likelihood that your business will be chosen, giving you an advantage over the competition.
Interaction with customers
It is not enough to create an account on this platform, it is essential to foster interaction with customers, whether in response to positive or negative comments. According to a study by Bright Local, of consumers who read reviews, 97% also read company responses.
Statistics
Google My Business allows you to access various statistics, such as:
- Where customers find the company: whether through the search engine or an indirect search;
- Traffic: amount of traffic generated to the website
- Geographic analysis: It is important to understand the geographic location of your customers.
- Customer actions: directions and contact. Analyze the number of phone calls you receive, and see if you can answer all of them.
- Photos: views and number of photos published;
- Customer opinion: evaluations and recognized characteristics of the business explained in the commentss
How to optimize your Google My Business page?
Always have your data up to date
Ensure that the data is up to date so that consumers can get in touch with you, answer their questions or schedule some type of service.
The more information your potential customers have, the easier it will be for them to get the answer they need and then make their decision.
Create a clear description of your brand
Google My Business allows you to create a description of up to 750 characters, take advantage of this space to inform your potential customers about what your company offers and how you differentiate yourself from the competition.
Encourage your customers to interact
It is important to encourage your customers to evaluate your business, these recommendations are essential to reduce the risk associated with a purchase by a potential customer.
The reviews that customers make on the Google My Business profile impact the placement of the business in search results with local intent.
Create publications
Google My Business allows, since 2017, publications and content sharing between companies and consumers.
Therefore, you should take advantage of this feature to create content that adds value to your business, such as:
- Disclosure of offers and promotions;
- Add your company events;
- Add new products;
- Alert to news from your company or your area of expertise.
Posting regularly is a way to keep your potential customers up to date and remind them that your brand exists.
