Why you need Google to get your business out there
Google gets billions of searches daily and chances are your audience is out there searching for your type of business. You can make sure that google knows about your business and is able to serve it up in search results by creating your google my business listing.
Set up your google my business listing
It’s important that your business can be found online. You’re losing out on potential customers who are searching for products/services like yours online if your business is not listed.
Listing your business on google allows potential customers to find you when they are searching for businesses like yours. You don’t need a website to list your business on Google.
Customers can see your opening hours, contact information and you can take them on a virtual tour of your business.
Go to the Google business page to get started.
It’s entirely free.
After you’ve entered your details, you’ll have to wait for Google to verify your business. This can be done by phone call, SMS, email, or Google Search Console. If any of these options are available to you, it will be displayed for you to choose. Otherwise, verification will be done by mail. Google will send you a physical postcard through the mail and when it arrives at your address, you can enter the verification code to complete your verification process.
While you’re waiting for the postcard, you can still go ahead and set up your business description and add pictures to set up your listing.
Tips to Optimise your Google my Business Listing
Complete all the required information
Make sure that you provide all the information that Google asks for. You may have seen some businesses on Google, where there’s a link that says ‘Suggest an Edit’. This happens when your business information is incomplete. Anyone can click on that link and update your business listing. Google will send you a notice about the suggested edit but if you don’t do anything about it, your listing will be updated. To ensure you have the information you want on your Google listing, make sure you fill in all the information required.
Use high quality images
The images you load im your listing will be the first impression potential customers have of your business. Make sure you use high quality images that show off your business and products.
Use Google My Business Posts
Google my Business has a post function which works like a social media post. These posts show up in the search results. You can add links and CTAs (Call-To-Action) just as you would in a social media post.
Some ideas for your Google My Business Posts:
- Advertise a special offer or promo
- Link to your blog post and use it to generate some traffic for your blog
- Announce latest additions to you products
- Advertise your next webinar
You can use Google My Business posts for pretty much everything that you’re doing on social media to promote your business.
Check your Google listing regularly
Google allows people to answer questions about your business and customers can also leave reviews. It’s important that you check your listing regularly, respond to customer reviews and flag any issues with your listing.
Create your free Google My Business Website
Google My Business can also be used to build a free website for your business. The content you’ve entered for your business listing is used to create the website. You can select themes and colours that match your brand and have a mobile responsive site published in minutes. Google will also allow you to publish this to your custom domain.
This is a good option if you’re just starting out and not quite ready to invest in a full website for your business.
Your website presents your business professionally and helps to attract customers to do business with you.
Have you claimed your Google My Business listing? Share your experience in the comments below.