Google My Business is an important tool for businesses of all sizes. It allows businesses to create a free business listing on Google, which can help improve your online visibility and attract new customers.
In this blog post, we will discuss six reasons why Google My Business is important for your business. We will also provide tips for using Google My Business to its full potential!
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a free platform that allows businesses to create a listing. This listing includes your business name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation. Customers can also leave reviews on your Google My Business listing.
Six Reasons Why Google My Business is Important
There are countless reasons why Google My Business is important. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top reasons to utilize Google My Business:
1. Improve Your Online Visibility
Your Google My Business listing will show up when customers search for your business on Google. This is important because it can help you attract new customers who may not have heard of your business before.
2. Stand Out from the Competition
If your competitors are not utilizing Google My Business, then you have a great opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Claiming your listing and filling out all of the information is a great way to make sure that potential customers can find everything they need to know about your business.
3. Increase Your Website Traffic
Google My Business can help increase traffic to your website. Customers who see your listing on Google may be more likely to visit your website to learn more about your products or services.
4. Get More Customers
Google My Business can help you attract new customers and grow your business. By creating a listing and making sure that all of your information is up-to-date, you can make it easy for potential customers to find your business and contact you.
5. Improve Your Local SEO
Google My Business can also help improve your local SEO. This is important because it can help you rank higher in search results when customers search for businesses like yours in your area.
By claiming your Google My Business listing and filling out all of the information, you can help improve your local SEO.
6. Easily Monitor Your Business Listing
It’s important to monitor your Google My Business listing regularly. This includes responding to any reviews, both positive and negative. Customers who see that you’re active on your listing are more likely to trust your business.
By monitoring your Google My Business listing, you can ensure that customers have a positive experience with your business.
Benefits of Google My Business
There are many benefits of using Google My Business for your business. Some of these benefits include:
Improved Online Visibility
By creating a listing on Google My Business, you can make sure that potential customers can find your business when they search for it online.
Attract New Customers
According to Google, businesses that list on Google My Business get an average of 35% more clicks than businesses that don’t a listing.
Builds Trust and Credibility
Customers are more likely to trust a business that has a listing on Google My Business. This is because they can see your business information, such as your address and phone number, which makes it seem more credible.
Tips for Using Google My Business
Here are some tips for using Google My Business to its full potential:
Complete Your Listing
Make sure to fill out all the sections of your listing, including your business name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation. The more information you provide potential customers with, the better!
Add Photos and Videos
Adding photos and videos to your listing can help it stand out from other listings. Customers will be able to see what your business looks like, which can help them decide if they want to visit you.
Encourage Reviews
Customers trust businesses that have good reviews. Make sure to encourage customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business listing!
Is Google My Business Free?
Yes, Google My Business is free to use! Any business, large or small, can create a listing. In the digital age in which we live, it is vital to the success of your business to have an online presence.
Google My Business can help you achieve this by making it easy for potential customers to find your business and learn about what you offer.
Steps for Setting Up Your Google My Business Listing
Now that you know all about Google My Business and its benefits, you’re probably wondering how to set up your listing.
Here are the steps for setting up your Google My Business listing:
- Visit google.com/business
- Click “Start now”
- Enter your business name
- Enter your address
- Select a category for your business
- Add photos of your business (optional)
- Click “Finish”
And that’s it! You’ve successfully created a listing on Google My Business. Now potential customers in your area will be able to find you when they search for businesses like yours on Google.
If you’re not using Google My Business for your business, now is the time to start! It’s a free and easy way to improve your online visibility and attract new customers.
Common Google My Busines Mistakes
Although Google My Business is rather straightforward, some common mistakes are made by business owners. Here are some of the most common mistakes:
Not Claiming Your Business Listing
If you don’t claim your business listing, someone else can. This means that they will be in control of your business’s information and they will be able to respond to reviews.
To avoid this, make sure to claim your listing as soon as possible.
Incorrect Business Information
It’s important to make sure that all the information on your listing is correct. This includes your hours of operation, address, phone number, and website. If any of this information is incorrect, potential customers may be confused or turned off from visiting your business.
To avoid this, double-check all the information on your listing before you publish it.
Not Responding to Reviews
Customers will leave reviews, both good and bad. It’s important to respond to all reviews, whether they are positive or negative. This shows potential customers that you care about your customers and their experience at your business.
To avoid this, make sure to check your listing regularly for new reviews and respond accordingly.
Get Started With Google My Business!
At McWilliams Marketing, we are passionate about helping businesses use tools such as Google My Business to their full potential. If you need help setting up or optimizing your Google My Business listing, we would be more than happy to assist you! Contact us today to get started.
