Are you looking for a fast way to win more online visibility for your business? Google Business Profile offers exactly the quick fix you're looking for. Previously known as Google My Business. Fast, free and it delivers results straight away. What exactly is Google Business Profile and how can you use it to score better? These are all the key points you need to know.
What exactly is it?
Google is everyone's friend when someone wants to look something up. Google knows that, which is why they like optimising the ways it can be done. Insert Google Business Profile, a community listing where every business — large or small — can be found with the help of its own profile. Did you know that a full 80% of the traffic clicking through to a company website passes through the Google business profile? You also get your own pinpoint on Google Maps telling potential customers where to go to buy your product or service.
Prepare your account
You score better by optimising your profile fully. Create your business profile through the website and fill in all the information. Which sector are you active in? What's your website? On which phone number can customers contact you? What are your opening hours? The more you can specify, the clearer it becomes to Google when your business is relevant to a search. On your profile you can share the same content as on your Instagram or Facebook page. By sharing relevant information you climb higher in the rankings. That's how your business gets into the spotlight in the search results.
Three important advantages
Build trust
Nothing raises suspicion more than looking up a business and getting almost no relevant information. Does this company actually exist? By giving up-to-date information about your business you create trust. So make sure your opening hours are accurate, don't forget to update your location after a move, and give ways to contact you such as a phone number. By posting photos and content regularly you show that you're still active and relevant. Perfect.
Analyse the data
We live in a data-driven era. Numbers play a big role in your company's marketing too. Luckily Google makes it easy for us once again by showing you all the data that can be collected. Lucky us. Important points to examine, and to adapt your strategy to if needed:
- The keywords customers use to find your business
- Did customers find you through Google Maps or Google Search?
- The actions taken on your listing
- The performance of your photos compared to other profiles in the same category
- CTR (click-through rate): the number of people clicking on the ad relative to the number of people who saw it
Engage your customers
Google Business Profile is a customer-based online platform that makes it easier for customers to find your business specifically. Google therefore welcomes user-generated content. Think reviews, Q&As, photos and so on. An excellent chance to answer your customers' questions and involve them in your business. There's also the option to offer promotions directly to a customer.
Conclusion
Google Business Profile is the go-to for making sure your business gets the visibility it deserves. The best part? The entire online portal is completely free. Digital marketers are more than happy to invest in this platform, and rightly so. Because let's be honest, does a business really exist if it can't be found on Google Business Profile? Most Google searchers would probably say no.
Want to get your Google Business Profile right straight away? You can, with one of our loyal Hippos at your side. Book a call and we'll have you shining online in no time.
