Google is unequivocally the great granddaddy of internet search. So, if you’re a business owner, there are numerous reasons why you need Google My Business. Besides, GMB is easy to use and free for anyone who wants to manage their online presence across the Google platforms. Let’s discuss why you absolutely have to have a profile.
What’s the Purpose of Google My Business?
People go online multiple times per day to find the information they need, and they use Google as their primary search engine. That’s why Google has developed Google My Business – to help businesses stand out.
Whether through a maps query or a search result, more than five billion searches are made through Google every day.
Why You Need Google My Business
Here are the 6 main reasons you should use Google My Business.
- Boost Visibility on Google Search and Google Maps
- Cost-Effective
- Messaging
- Google Offer Posts
- Google Posts
- Upload Posts
1. Boost Visibility on Google Search and Google Maps
The number one benefit of having a Google My Business profile is the fact that it can boost the online visibility of your company. A Google My Business profile appears in Google Maps results — local 3-pack area. Whenever you make a search query in Google, the first three listings are reserved for Adwords ads (paid search). This means gmb optimization is more important than ever!
Next, you get a map with three local results, and then the organic results (hence the name “3-pack”). If your Google My Business profile appears in Local 3-Pack for valuable search terms and is prominent in results, you will be tapping into potential new revenue.
And since you don’t pay to appear there, your GMB listing is more affordable when compared to paid ads. With a highly optimized Google My Business profile, you won’t have to spend money on paid search ad campaigns.
2. Cost-Effective
GMB is a free listing on Google (the biggest search engine on the Internet) that puts your business in front of potential customers. Potential customers gain easy access to your website, phone number, hours of operation, and directions with one click.
Also, they get an insight into your ratings and busiest hours, which gives them an inside look at your business. If you’ve just launched your business or have a limited budget, creating and claiming your Google My Business profile will cost you nothing.
3. Messaging
Recently, Google launched a messaging feature that allows businesses to chat with the customers who find their GMB profile in SERP. Today, companies need to be customer-centric. It puts good customer service among the top things that can significantly influence your business success.
And by “good customer service,” we mean providing information to potential customers in almost real-time. Open your Google My Business profile, go to your dashboard, and turn on this feature.
You can choose to receive and respond to these messages through Allo (Google’s messaging app) or SMS. If you operate on multiple social media platforms, then the best option would be to use a useful social media marketing tool that comes with a unified social inbox. This way, you can stay on top of all your social conversations on different social media platforms.
4. Google Offer Posts
Google Offer Posts arrived in May of 2018, and they enabled businesses to promote themselves as well as have promotional sales. They would otherwise need to pay for this feature (such as PPC), but with GMP it’s free, which is why business owners should take advantage of it.
5. Google Posts
Google Posts are a way for enterprises to promote news, product updates, events, offers, and announcements. These updates appear in Google Maps and search to provide you with more ways to stay in touch with your potential customers.
Before posting, Google recommends you think about your goals. Do you want to encourage prospects to visit your store location? Maybe you want to announce a new product, service, or feature? Do you want to raise awareness about a special deal or offering?
Make sure to use high-resolution and well-designed visuals to reinforce your message. Also, add a strong CTA written in language that compels customers to take action.
6. Upload Videos
Business owners and customers can upload videos. The maximum length of videos is 30 seconds, and it can take 24 hours before the content is available in local search results and Google Maps.
Why use videos? You can use them to provide customer service, showcase your products and services, and give a sneak peek inside of your business operations.
Recognize that your videos should be natural and made at your business location. Any videos that aren’t related to your company venue will be taken down by Google. It also means that you should avoid using stock visuals.
eclincher can help your GMB grow!
eclincher is a top-rated and powerful social media management tool you can utilize to connect all of the silos of social media marketing to automate tasks for all of your business social media accounts. eclincher supports Google My Business, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok and more to come.
By connecting the eclincher productivity tool with your GMB profile, you can use the unified social inbox feature to manage all your conversations there.
You can also manage your review response, and you’ll soon be able to manage all of your listings and locations specifically from eclincher to positively affect your local SEO.
Schedule and publish posts, track specific metrics, analyze, and produce customized reports you can automate right into your inbox.
Also, eclincher comes with built-in visual marketing tools to help you enhance your Google Offer posts. Thanks to eclincher’s dedicated cloud storage, you can store and manage your images and videos. Our Sniply integration and partnership enable you to attach a CTA to any of your Google Posts.
If you need a local online presence for your business, then you shouldn’t overlook Google My Business. Considering how little effort it requires, GMB is worth the effort.
Google is trying to make everybody happy by giving people the information they’re searching for. To find the right business that meets their needs, most people conduct a local search on Google.
Despite not being a perfect fit for all enterprise, it has the potential to reach potential customers and make sure they get the right information about your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can Google My Business help my business?
Google My Business can significantly boost your online visibility, making it easier for potential customers to find your business when searching on Google. It allows you to showcase essential information like business hours, contact details, and customer reviews, enhancing your credibility and accessibility.
Is Google My Business suitable for small businesses?
Yes, Google My Business is especially beneficial for small businesses as it provides a cost-effective way to establish an online presence, attract local customers, and compete with larger businesses in local search results.
Can I track the performance of my Google My Business listing?
Yes, Google My Business provides valuable insights and analytics, enabling you to track the number of views, clicks, and calls your listing receives. This data can help you assess your marketing efforts and make informed decisions to optimize your online presence.
Is it essential to have a Google My Business listing even if I already have a website?
Absolutely, having a Google My Business listing complements your website by increasing your online visibility and improving local search rankings. It ensures that potential customers can find essential information about your business quickly and easily on Google, enhancing your overall online presence.
