Google My Business is essentially a business listing service. It provides information about a particular business when searched for within Google. And best of all you can take charge of what people see when they search for your business.
Google My Business gives you the tools necessary to be able to engage with your audience for free by updating your listing, building a website and by posting offers or updates directly to your local listing on Google.
It’s a great simple tool that when used correctly can have a big impact on your SEO (search engine optimisation). People don’t just look things up on the internet – they Google it! With over 3.5 billion searches performed on Google every day – it has to be worth your while to try and make the most out of optimising the chance of your customers finding your business.
Why Google?
With the rate at which Google has grown over the years, it is still the largest search engine being used in the world today.
There’s so much more to SEO now than there ever was before, when using a keyword many times within your website would allow Google to take notice of you. With the amount of competition to reach page one on Google and the number of searches being performed daily, more work needs to be done to enable your listing to appear near the top.
What does Google My Business show?
When we search for South Coast Social in Google, this is the view that we are presented with:
- We can see images that relate to the business website along with a Google map of where we are based.
- It gives a direct link to the website and map directions through Google Maps.
- Then we see the business details; office address, telephone number and opening hours.
- And at the bottom it provides a place for customers to be able to leave reviews, for other people to see when they search for the same thing.
This really is a great tool for any business who want to share their business information. Think of it as the old Yellow Pages, where everyone would go to find a local business. Now people just ‘Google’ it!
Why should you use Google My Business?
Many of your competitors could be taking advantage of Google My Business, and if customers are searching for similar businesses than yours, you may be pipped at the post if you are not providing the same information as your competitors as they will appear higher in search results. By providing as much detail as possible, you are giving Google the choice on who should be displayed first.
If you link your social media profiles through to Google My Business too, this gives even more resource to people finding your business.
It can help with engagement too! Google encourages customers to leave reviews or to ask questions and to connect with your business. If you are appearing at the top of searches and people are given the opportunity to engage with you, this is an opportunity to build relationships with them and help boost your business growth through engagement.
The best thing about Google My Business is that it’s free! A fantastic tool is being handed to you free of change!
So take hold of this; claim your Google My Business page, fill out all the information possible, add images and posts, add value and showcase your business as best as you can. Google My Business is an extension of your social media and so as much as you update your Facebook or Twitter platform, do the same for Google My Business.
At the end of the day, the more you put in, the more you will get out and if you’re looking to boost your SEO and business listing results, this is a great place to start.
