If you find yourself wondering “what is Google My Business and why is it important?”, you have come to the right place. At MaxWeb Solutions, we have delved into what Google My Business is and why it is important here.
What Is Google My Business?
Launched in 2014, Google My Business, previously Google Places for Business, is essentially a free form of digital marketing provided by Google that offers brands the opportunity to promote their services, reach a more significant amount of prospective customers and share vital business information.
If you own a business, ensuring that your target customers can easily access the information needed to convert them into consumers is paramount. One relatively easy way to do this is incorporating Google My Business into your digital marketing efforts.
What Information Can I Share On Google My Business?
Prior to comprehending why incorporating Google My Business into your digital marketing strategy is important, it is worth reviewing what information can be shared via the platform.
Below, we have outlined the information that businesses can share via their Google My Business account.
- A brief description of your business
- Your location
- The areas that your business serves
- Your opening times
- Special hours
- Your phone number
- Your email address
- Your website links
- Your products and services
- Your opening date
In addition to the above, Google My Business provides businesses with the opportunity to publish short 300-word updates, photographs and gather reviews from consumers.
Why Is Google My Business Important?
The evolution of the internet has revolutionised how customers conduct research and take advantage of the information that is provided to them. Customers are no longer willing to conduct extensive searches. Instead, they expect to be able to access the information they require almost instantly.
With millions of businesses across the world available at the touch of a button, ensuring that a customer can uncover what your business offers, where your business operates and how they can contact you with ease is imperative.
In addition to the above, there are several other reasons that Google My Business is important. Below, we have outlined just a handful of these reasons.
Google My Business Is Your First Opportunity to Communicate with Prospective Consumers
As you list your business on Google My Business, you will be prompted to provide a short snippet of information that communicates what your business offers. As your target audience searches for your services, this will often be the first opportunity you have to communicate with them.
In addition to creating a short description, as touched on above, you will have the ability to regularly publish short updates to promote your services, products and even events. Similarly to your brand description, these posts will quite likely be the first opportunity that you have to communicate with your desired audience.
Unfortunately, only 59% of businesses take advantage of Google My Business to publish updates. This highlights that 41% of businesses are missing out on the opportunity to communicate with prospective consumers.
Ensuring that you communicate who you are, what you offer and how you can cater to the needs and wants of those conducting searches via Google My Business will help you captivate the attention of prospective customers as and when they embark on their decision-making journey.
Google My Business Makes It Easy for Prospective Consumers to Contact You
From listing your phone number and your email address to promoting your website and social media accounts, Google My Business provides a multitude of ways for your consumers to reach you.
Not only does this make it easier for prospective customers to contact you, but it enhances your businesses reputation.
Google My Business Makes It Easy for Prospective Customers to Find You
Google My Business was initially developed to support businesses offering face-to-face services. However, with an increase in the number of businesses operating remotely and even virtually, Google My Business now ensures that all businesses have an equal opportunity to promote themselves.
Regardless of whether you have a physical location or operate remotely, adding your businesses address, or the areas you serve, will ensure that consumers searching for products in your area know that your business exists to cater to their needs.
If you have a physical location, such as an office, Google My Business will additionally enable prospective customers to view your whereabouts on Google Maps and obtain directions, should they wish to visit you.
In addition to making it easier for prospective customers to find you, sharing the location that you serve, or your physical address, will see Google automatically refer you to those searching for the services or products that you offer in your local area.
Google My Business Enables You to Collect Reviews
Word of mouth marketing is imperative in this day and age. Consumers are more likely to purchase from a business if they can determine whether or not the products or services have benefited others.
With this in mind, Google My Business provides brands with the opportunity to collect reviews.
Not only will these reviews offer insight into what others say about your business, but they will also help you rank higher on search engine results pages, build brand credibility and in turn, consumer trust.
Google My Business Offers the Ability to Review Your Google Performance
In addition to the above, Google My Business provides business owners with the opportunity to review how many views their website obtains, how many times their website or business appears in Google searches and how many map views their business sees each month.
Reviewing this information offers an insight into the number of prospective customers your business is successfully reaching and converting.
Take Advantage of Google My Business Today
With an understanding of what Google My Business is and why it is important, you will be eager to create your Google My Business account.
While the information provided above will be of assistance, should you need any additional support, please feel free to contact us.
Posted on Friday, November 20th, 2020 in Digital Marketing.
