Search engines are indispensable in today’s digital world. Of these, Google is by far the most commonly used, especially by businesses. This is where Google My Business comes into play. In this blog post, we’ll explain why this service is so popular and how it can contribute to your business success.
A Google Business Profile has many advantages – and it’s free
In addition to providing instant search results, Google has another key advantage: It links its collected data to its navigation system and displays stored business profiles directly there. This way, users searching for a business nearby can quickly find relevant results without needing to enter a specific name. Furthermore, when searching for a specific industry or profession, Google suggests clearly defined business options in the “Business” section. These appear, depending on relevance, at the top of the search results with the exact location on the map and all contact details. This places you far above the traditional search results, which tend to appear lower down. A potential customer now has all the important information at a glance, such as opening hours, contact details, or reviews from other visitors. In this way, even expected foot traffic and possible waiting times can be quickly and easily accessed.
The key advantage here is increased visibility and accessibility on the internet. Google My Business profiles provide core data about a company at a glance. This is of particular interest to users who are in a hurry and just need a specific piece of information. It’s also useful for users who rely on Google’s suggestions because they don’t yet know exactly what they are looking for. Even the most beautiful website with exciting content and great imagery is useless if no one visits it. Therefore, Google My Business profiles are considered part of a company’s search engine optimization (SEO) strategy, creating a direct link between potential customers and a company’s location or website.
More local visibility at a glance
To set up a business profile, you first need to register for free with Google. After that, a company account is created and some core data is added, including the address, opening hours, and contact details such as a phone number and email address. This is highly recommended for all types of SEO optimization. Useful information about the popularity of relevant keywords or visitor traffic to your website is provided here.
You can also enter some basic details about your business, such as a specific specialization or the exact services you offer. The information listed here mainly depends on your business model. Additionally, the profile can be enhanced with images, such as showing your premises, owner, or individual products. High-quality images can help make your profile visually stand out from your competitors. Specialized media agencies are experts in presenting a company in the best possible light with professional imagery.
Once everything is set up, a Google My Business listing will appear directly alongside your website in Google’s search engine results page (SERP). On Google’s own digital map, Google Maps, a small red pin appears at your company’s address, along with the registered business profile. All the information can now be captured at a glance.
Interact with customers and measure success with Google My Business
However, there’s still much more to do: Google business profiles should be regularly maintained and kept up to date. If contact details or the address change, it is recommended to update the profile immediately. Additionally, Google offers a review system where users can rate company profiles from 1 to 5 stars. Visitors can thus build some trust without ever setting foot in the door.
Check your business profile’s performance
Relevant insights about the performance of your Google My Business profile can be viewed directly in the business profile dashboard. In addition to a chronological listing of the most recent reviews, the “Performance” tab provides many other useful details about your account. These include the number of visitors forwarded from the profile to your website, the number of calls made, and the number of routes calculated by Google Maps to your business location. These data can be displayed over a specific period, such as a week or a month. Such data is essential for measuring the success of SEO efforts.
Success, not tuition fees: Agencies give your SEO efforts a head start
For successful companies, a Google My Business profile is essential. Not only for increasing local visibility but also for interacting with visitors or implementing controlling measures, it’s a great tool. Therefore, it’s recommended to seek professional support for the initial setup of the profile to avoid beginner mistakes. Branding and SEO agencies are the right contacts for this. Particularly when starting a business or opening a second location, this can save you from paying tuition fees.