How to increase conversions with Google My Business.
Google My Business is a free and easy way to engage with customers on Google Search and Google Maps, making it easier than ever to reach new customers.
Google My Business allows you to manage your information, interact with customers and expand your online presence all from one place. All you need to do is set up your account and fill in all the relevant fields.
This service uses your location to give potential customers all they need to know about your business, including your website, phone number, directions, opening hours, pictures and even customer reviews.
Setting up a Google My Business account should be a significant part of your marketing strategy if you want to improve your local SEO presence and build customer trust.
Having an excellent online presence is essential in this day and age, with many people relying on online research before making a purchase, especially one of high value. In the same way, it’s essential to have a user-friendly website and active social media; it’s also important to be present on Google.
Google My Business makes valuable information readily available so potential customers can find out more about your business at the drop of a hat, removing barriers that could prevent a sale. Things like business page reviews, up-to-date business hours and other useful business insights can all be found on a Google My Business profile.
If you want to improve brand awareness, reach new customers and ultimately sell more online, follow these tips on how to create and make the most of your free Google My Business account.
To get started, do a search and try and find your business in the local Google search results, either through Google maps or the search bar in Google desktop and check if there is information about your company on the right-hand side as a snippet.
If you have a listing, your business name will appear as a snippet.
If you have a business listing that is not claimed or verified, follow the steps below in this article. If your business does not appear, you can create a free google business listing here.
Creating an account is simple and is open to a business of any size and location.
Once you have filled in the form, Google will require you to verify your business.
Now that your business listing is set up, you will need to verify it.
Google offers three different methods of verification:
To do this, see the steps below:
Once this is completed, it may take a few weeks for your business listing to appear on Google.
For more information on the verification process, check out Google’s guide here.
So, you’re now good to go with your new business account. What’s next?
Here, we’ve listed the best ways to optimise your business listing to make it work for you.
It may sound obvious, but the more you fill out your Google My Business Profile, the easier it is for customers to find what they need to know about your business.
Having a fully completed Google My Business page makes your business look more legitimate and builds trust with potential customers.
Filling out the basic information such as an address, phone number, and opening times is great, but you need to go the extra mile to stand out from the crowd. Upload your logo and some pictures and make your bio as detailed as possible.
When you’re filling out your profile, keep in mind that this may be the only thing a potential customer sees before they contact you. So, you need to be shown in the best light.
The best way to do this is to stay in line with your branding and use high-quality imagery that represents your business well. Also, make sure any content included is well thought out and follows your brand’s tone of voice.
It is also possible to connect your Google My Business account to your Google Ads account to make it easier for customers to find you through targeted ads.
This is particularly useful if your campaign goal is to drive traffic to your website or encourage footfall to your physical store. By removing barriers in your ads, you’re making it as convenient as possible for customers to reach you.
Find out how to link your Ads account with Google My Business here.
Reviews are crucial for your brand reputation and to build customer trust.
Thankfully Google has made reviews readily available for potential customers to see through Google My Business.
It’s always good to encourage customers to leave you a review as those five stars at the top of the page play a significant role in buyer decision-making.
But it doesn’t stop there. Reviews are also taken into account in Local Search Rank Factors, essentially affecting the SEO of your Google My Business account.
It’s not just about getting reviews; how you respond to them is also crucial.
You should also reply to reviewers, thanking them for their time and addressing any criticism that may arise. It is essential to remain professional while responding to reviews, no matter how unfair. And always keep in mind that your replies are available for the world to see.
Google My Business also has a posting feature, similar to a social media feed.
This allows you to update your customers with changes to your business to keep them in the loop.
You can also use the posting feature to promote new products, events and even give exclusive discounts to those who find you through Google My Business. Why not give it a go?
Looking for more ways to improve your online presence and reach new customers?
Whether you need a new comms plan or want to bump up those Google rankings, we’re here to help.
Take a look at how our experienced team can take your digital marketing to the next level. And don’t hesitate to give us a call to see how we can help your business.