Google Maps: How Does It Benefit Your Business?
The Google My Business app was replaced by Google Maps on April 5, 2022. A Google Maps business profile, now merged with Google My Business or "GMB" and formerly known as Google Places for Business, provides businesses and companies alike an easy and great way to appear in Google search results, but the best part is that it's totally free.
Get new customers from Google Search and Maps by creating a free Business Profile. Post photos, offers, and more to personalize your profile.
Google Maps Business pages: what are they and why do you need them?
Business listings on Google Maps and local search results can be added for your business or company.
A simple click from Google search engines can display important information about your business including your contact details, opening and closing times, a phone number, directions to your business address, and a link to your website. Google has also recently introduced a new feature that allows you to post a link to articles or up-and-coming events, as well as special offers or promotions. Later in the article, we'll discuss this in more detail.
As long as the customer has an internet connection, they can find or contact the business with the free listing. A Google Maps listing (Google My Business page) is still a good idea if you run an online business without a physical store - you can turn off the address in the settings, but it will limit certain features such as embedding Google reviews on your website.
A guide to optimizing your business listing on Google Maps
In the following steps, you will ensure that your Google Maps Listing (Google My Business page) is optimized to the max and that you have filled in all the necessary information (you can do this here - you will need to verify your address by postcard regardless of whether or not your address appears). In order to stand out among the rest and improve your ranking, you should include as much information as possible on your Google Maps (GMB) listing.
The next step people will take if they find your business in search results is to click on your business profile for more information, such as your contact details, website, phone number, or directions, if you have listed them.
In order to gain people's attention, information must be accessible as soon as possible. You won't be able to reach potential customers if you don't provide a proper business address. It will be easier for your customers to go somewhere that is easy to locate if your business has a location or shop that it sells from.
You need to take advantage of the way people are searching online (predominantly Google) if you want your business to be competitive in this online environment.
Visibility in local search for your business can be improved
You can easily make your business visible online by setting up Google Maps Business listings - even if you don't have a website, you can set it up with a click. With time, search terms have become more geographic specific and Google's algorithms are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
The next time you do a Google search for ‘coffee shop near me’ or ‘hairdresser near me’, based on your current location, you’ll see that Google returns a list of four locations on a desktop and three locations on a mobile device. You are one step closer to becoming a local customer because three businesses listed in your (mobile phone) search result have a Google My Business page.
The places would not have shown up if they didn't have Google Maps listings (formerly Google My Business pages) and you wouldn't have found them otherwise. Your business along with whatever product or service you may be selling. How can local searches benefit your business and what might you be missing out on without one?
You probably wouldn't have found these places if they didn't have a Google Maps listing (formerly Google My Business page).ting and update it on a regular basis when you make any changes or are offering any seasonal services.
How to create a GMB description
Your Google My Business listing should have a detailed description and should be local (if possible) wherever possible so it will be more relevant to users. Your business description should include keywords related to your business to help your customers understand what makes you different and what makes it different from your competitors. Keeping it short and descriptive will help your potential clients understand what makes your company unique. While you can use as many keywords as you want in your GMB description (we recommend up to four keywords), there is no limit to the number of characters you can use.
Adding posts to Google Maps will enhance your business listing
Your business content can now be shared, events can be promoted, special offers can be marketed, and products and services can be advertised. The content you select for your GMB profile will appear in Google search results and map results when it appears in a relevant search.
In your GMB profile, click on 'create a new post' to create a new post. People tend to purchase pictures, so uploading an image will maximize your results. Create an event with start and end dates, or write up to 300 words of text.
Following that, you will have the option to add a call-to-action link with options such as 'Learn more', 'Reserve', 'Sign up', 'Buy', and 'Get offer'.
Promotions, events, products, and promotions can be promoted using this powerful tool. As shown in the image to the left, you can find post/offer/what's new/events/product options at the top of the post editor, which will last for 30 days. There is an option to set the start and end dates of the promotion before it expires and needs to be replaced. Running them regularly is recommended for best results. A reminder email will be sent by Google to remind you to run these.
This screenshot shows how Elite's GMB page used the post feature to push a discount code for one month. If you scroll down further, you may also see a discount code or discount link. A special offer usually requires one image and a clear title. You can view the final result before it is published by clicking the screenshot below.
If you've set up Google My Business but haven't used it yet, we hope you now understand enough about the posts feature to give it a try. Elite achieves great success after publishing the final result with a promo code.
Update your posts regularly, since Google loves fresh content.
GMB allows you to post up to 10 photos or videos
From February 2020, you will be able to add ten images or videos to a Google post. You will be able to stand out from your competitors much better by pushing your posts, products, and reviews. E-commerce businesses will certainly benefit from the ability to add multiple images, as it will allow you to show multiple images of products. Almost immediately, the Elite team posts up customer reviews and products which gain a lot of attention.
The best way to improve GMB is to add images regularly.
There is no need to stop with your main images, like the exterior and interior of your business, your logo, cover image, and team photos. Keep your social media accounts and GMB updated as often as possible. It's even possible to post directly on GMB and share the link anywhere! It will make Google more likely to show you in local or map search results if you demonstrate that you are both active and trustworthy/reliable.
Collect Reviews
You should collect as many reviews as possible if you want to rank higher in search and map results. Local search ranking is heavily influenced by reviews from customers and potential customers. Reviews show what people actually think about a business. It is widely accepted that these days, google reviews are the best form of social proof for your potential customers and are a key factor in their decision to buy from you. Asking your customers for reviews is the best way to collect them. Send a link to your Google reviews to your happy customers so they can rate the service they have received.
Review responses
Responding to customer reviews is always a good idea. By doing this, Google will see that you are an active business, active with your profile, and proactive. You may even benefit from it if you've received fake reviews and need assistance removing them.
You will stand out from rival businesses if you either thank the customer or apologize for the bad experience. People often read bad reviews first, so it is important to respond to them.
The more reviews you have, the more you can promote them and boast about them on your website. Here's an example of how to embed your Google reviews with links to your review page - please note that if you don't include your address you won't be able to embed your Google reviews. It has been reported many times that this is an issue.
Become a Google My Business member and reap the benefits
Google My Business pages should be accurate and detailed. Don't miss out on one of the most effective free ways to appear in Google search results and Google Maps results by not creating and optimizing your own Google My Business page. You should use the information in this guide to optimize your listing right away, so make sure to do it as soon as possible. With practice and consistency, you'll be updating and posting on your listing with your eyes closed, and potentially see the benefits right away.
Why not start now? Get started with Sirkle.. Sirkle. makes it easier for small businesses to get exposure on Google Maps. Want to know more? Visit us at https://www.sirkle.com and let us help you.
Do you want to see if your business is online? Visit us at https://www.sirkle.com and find your business. If your business is not listed, we can help you.
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