However, small businesses cannot be expected to upgrade their technology with several giants like Facebook or Microsoft. So we are here to help you take the first step in listing your business on Google My Business by responding to the following:
- What is Google My Business? And why is it important?
- What are the benefits of Google My Business?
- At the end of this post, you will list your business on Google as a professional.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is like a visual book. Google My Business not only makes your business more accessible to Google, but online references such as Google My Business help you reach customers who may not know how to find you.
Google My Business is a free tool that allows your business listing to be displayed next to other related local businesses whenever someone checks your business name or related name. Information about your business such as your phone number, website, address, reviews, hours, and more will all be available on one simple screen for potential customers.
Why you need a Google My Business listing
- 97% of people learn more about a local company online than anywhere else.
- More specifically, 91% of adults use search engines to find information.
- Drill down further, and you’ll find Google has over 90% of the search engine market share.
- Google has reported that a staggering 46% of all searches have local intent.
- 56% of actions on Google My Business listings are website visits. 24% of actions are called to the business. And 20% of actions are direct searches.
- 64% of consumers have used Google My Business to find contact details for a local business.
- 16% of businesses receive more than 100 calls each month just from Google My Business alone.
Google My Business benefits
Many businesses are still missing out on the beauty of Google My Business. So, let’s dive deeper into the specifics of how a Google My Business strategy can benefit your small business. Check out these 10 Google My Business benefits:
1. Show up in Google Maps searches to boost sales
While Google’s quick search works well for limited options — especially for consumers on a mobile device — 86% of people use Google Maps to find businesses nearby. The more convenient it is for customers to come to your business if they find you nearby, the more likely you are to make that sale.
Also, customers who receive a product through their Google My Business listing have an additional 50% chance of purchase. By simply creating a Google My Business listing and completing verification steps, your store location will begin to appear for local searches and Maps.
If, for example, you are an insect control business, having a Google My Business account set up will allow your business to display searches on Google Maps.
2. GMB Provides Insights That Give You Helpful Information
GMB is the driver of your Google value rating. Not only does it promote your product or service, but it also helps you to understand the market. Google always proves it is running the show.
How is this possible?
Google My Business comes with powerful features that provide insights into key areas to help you create strategies and make decisions. This tool allows you to access statistics and details that can help determine where your audience is coming from.
3. GMB Allows People to Leave Reviews of Your Business
So, if you want your business to be visible in search results, using GMB to make it easier for your customers to leave positive feedback about your business is a must. Here are some reasons why you need people to leave updates.
Updates Improve Local SEO
Many rely on updates when making decisions about their purchases. About 93% of customers may be influenced by online reviews. In other words, almost everyone.
This is because these small text blocks are proof of real customers who have not been paid by the company to promote their product or service. Thus, people feel they are more honest, therefore, more and more people believe what they say.
4. Google My Business ratings boost your appeal
90% of people read reviews before making a purchase decision. With the Google My Business listing, customers will be able to review your business and leave feedback so others can see it.
By doing this, you will not only get a reliable analysis of what you are doing well (or possibly doing better) but you will also find that star rating system near your business on Google.
Over time, you will begin to collect more updates and a higher rate overall (responding to updates helps with this). This is especially helpful if you need to gain a competitive edge.
5. Google My Business can increase your traffic
A common challenge for local businesses is to get increased website traffic and store visits. While there is no way to completely avoid positive changes during the year, having a Google My Business listing can be very helpful in growing your numbers worldwide.
By having a list and appearing in a local search, businesses in Google My Business are more likely to attract 70% of potential customers through a site visit. Also, your Google My Business listing can draw up to 35% more clicks to your website. So, your listing will increase your traffic in more than one way — on the web and on foot!
6. Google My Business can teach you more about your customers
It is no secret that the more you know about your customers, the better you will be able to attract them. From your Google My Business page, navigating to the data section will give you a wealth of important statistics that describe how your product looks, who your customers are, and how they interact with your business.
This is a powerful way to measure how well your business is performing so that you can get into what you are doing. By learning more about the types of customers your business attracts, you will also be able to refine and improve the effectiveness of your marketing strategy.
7. A Google My Business profile helps you to rank higher in results
Google has work to do. While it may sometimes sound like a deal to you, Google wants to tell customers about your business because it needs to provide investigators with important information. If Google knows more about your business, it will rank higher in the search engine and Maps results.
How do you make Google more attractive to your business? By providing quality, consistent, and accurate information. Your Google My Business profile is the best way to feed Google this information so that it can better meet your customer search needs.
8. Google My Business And The Local Pack
In the local pack, there will be a few relevant companies (up to three companies) and their profiles, and their locations on Google Maps.
The local pack displays crucial business info of nearby relevant businesses for the customers to help them make a better choice, such as:
- Opening hours
- Company name
- Address
- Reviews
- Relevant Category
- Type of Business
- An image of the business
9. Google My Business is the Future of Online Marketing
Google continues to grow and thrive in data and online features for consumers and businesses.
They are already billions of dollars who have built up and built online tools to help small and large businesses grow sales and product awareness.
Don’t wait any longer to get into Google power, start building Google My Business and take your steps into the new kind of online branding.
10. Google My Business can increase engagement with your brand
Google My Business profiles provide ample opportunities for engagement. Potential customers can access your website or call you with one tap or click. Even more beneficial is the ability to reserve a table or book an appointment directly through your listing.
Conclusion
Any company that wants to maximize its reach, location, and profits should use Google My Business.
As a free yet easy-to-use tool, Google My Business is something companies small and large can use in their online marketing strategy.
The benefits of Google My Business are many, and companies that take the time to develop and manage their profiles may gain more access and sales from nearby customers.
Managing and answering questions directly on the GMB profile can increase customer satisfaction and the amount of engagement you will receive. Growing customer engagement will lead to better relationships and their willingness to share your business with their friends orally.
Overall, using Google My Business as an online marketing tool can reduce the cost of your online marketing budget or help maximize results on it.