You all must know the fame Google has managed to earn over the years. In 2020, 3.5 billion Google searches are made every day. If you’re looking to kick start your business or looking to improve your current one, Google My Business the right place.
As a business that is aspiring to do well, you might have tried all of the possible tricks in the book, maybe even come up with your tricks.
But do you have a feeling that there’s something missing? The feeling of being incomplete can be taunting.
Nothing to worry about though, I’ve got your back. Here’s some good news for you!
What if I told you, you can have a business profile on Google, just like the ones on Facebook and Instagram?
Shocking right? Yet, it’s true.
I don’t want to keep things in the shade for any longer, let’s get started right away.
In this blog, you will be learning:-
- What is Google My Business?
- How Does Google My Business Work?
- How to Set Up Google My Business Account?
- The Right Way to Use Google My Business
- Benefits of using Google My Business
What is Google My Business?
To accurately understand GMB, you have to compare it with a social networking site like Instagram.
GMB is easy to understand if you compare it this way.
Regardless, I’m going to break it down for you.
GMB is a platform where potential customers can find your business listed in Google through Google SERP(Search Engines Result Page) or via Google Maps.
Well, any customer can find you if they look hard enough, right?
No, not only does GMB simply display your business for those who search, but it also increases the chances of the visibility of your business on Google.
Now, a question might pop up in your head.
But how does GMB work? Let’s clear that up for you.
How does Google My Business Work?
It’s quite simple actually. While setting up your business profile on Google, you will provide the platform with information such as your Location, Contact Information, Photos, Website Link, and Store timings( if your business involves brick and mortar store).
You can respond to reviews and add pictures that are both captivating and purposeful. This will enable customers to trust you and your business.
You must also categorize your business on Google into a specific niche. This will help Google while displaying your results.
Are you still unsure?
Quick Example
Let me give a few examples. Nothing like visual aids right?
On typing ‘Skoda Dealerships in Bangalore’ in Google, there were three different options that I could pick from. They are three different profiles created by Skoda.
As you can see, Google provides me with the link to their website and the directions to their showroom. Apart from that, The location is already marked using red balloons to give me a rough idea of the location.
You can get information that’s more specific you click on one of the three results.
As you can see, the website link, timing, phone number, location, and even products along with their prices. What more information do you need?
The Verification Process
After you input all your business details, Google will take steps to check your authenticity. You will receive a phone call, email, or physical mail as a verification process on GMB. If all goes smoothly, you will be able to access GMB.
Another important point, Google Business Profile, and GMB are two different things. Google Business Profile is just your on Google, you cannot make any changes to it.
GMB is effective here since it allows you to make changes to your Business Profile on Google. I hope you get the difference now.
GMB is capable of so much if you use it the right way. The reviews you get are important too, this will determine the crowd density that your physical store may welcome.
How to Set it Up?
After all this explanation, I’m confident you have no difficulty in understanding GMB.
Setting up GMB ess is one of the most crucial steps that you have to learn to run a successful business profile on Google.
However, GMB Sign Up Process is relatively easy. There is very little technicality involved in this process.
Let’s get into it.
To start off, type www.google.com/business. This is the link for the GMB Website.
You will be taken to a page where you will have to click on ‘Manage Now’ to begin with the process.
Have you finished clicking on ‘Manage Now’? Here’s what your next display will look like:
Enter your business name in the search box and select it to proceed further.
You will be asked to confirm your Business Name. I’ve entered Digital Village as the name here. You can input your business name
If you agree to the terms and conditions which sadly none of us read, you can click on next.
Next up, you will have to enter the category or niche that your business belongs to.
Select the suitable category and proceed further.
After this step, you will be taken to another page with options that you have to choose from.
If you’re a business that operates with a physical brick-and-mortar store, click on Yes. If not, maybe you’re an E-Commerce Store. In that case, you can click on No.
Back to the procedure
After choosing your pick, click on Next. You will be taken to a page where you will have to provide the location details of your business location.
If you’re not a physical store, you will have to just mention your city and country in a similar window that you will be displayed with.
To add in more precision, the next window that you will be taken to enables location selection on the map. You will be registering your business on Google Maps by doing this.
You will be taken to another landing page, you must click on the suitable answer.
After selecting your desired pick, you will be taken to a page where you must provide your website and contact information.
And that will bring you to the final step of how to register a business on Google. I told you it was easy.
Keep in mind that setting up My Business on Google will not automatically enable your Business Profile.
You will have to claim your business from Google Maps in order to do the above-mentioned process.
We’ve only learned how to set up GMB, there’s a lot more to go.
The Right Way To Use Google My Business
We made one fact clear, didn’t we? Let’s recall it,
GMB is different from Google Business Profile. Though they may be different from one another, they still are related.
Using effective GMB methods can increase your business visibility on Google. So make sure you get the best performance out of it.
With the right kind of mixture, Google My Business can be your best Internet Marketing Tool.
Well, you thought I was just going to give you this piece of advice and let you figure it out?
Nah, mate. As a matter of fact, I’m going to offer your specific tips to master Google My Business.
But before that, GMB is very different from running Ads on Google, don’t confuse them both.
Channelize your Information
You must have come across the importance of keywords as soon as you decided to venture into digital marketing.
And just like everywhere else, Google My Business supports the use of keywords.
Google is mind-numbingly smart, and all of us do know that for a fact. So what you can do is feed information to Google – What exactly your business is and for what search question do you want to appear.
Adding the right keywords in the business description and your answers to reviews and questions will ensure that your website, app, or store is displayed when the specified keywords are entered by your prospect.
It is important to be subtle about this, dumping your posts and description with keywords will not be very helpful.
Provide Authentic Information
As a business, it’s quite obvious that your top priority is customer satisfaction. This not only leaves a good impression on them but will also make them come back to you for more or even refer you to their friends or family.
This will only happen if you maintain a good rank.
How do you do that?
Make sure all the information that you enter(Location, photos, product, and store timings) are relevant and helpful.
Providing reliable information will create a bond with your customers and trust me, that bonding will take you a long way.
At the end of it, we’re all here to help each other, aren’t we?
Never Stop Updating
The only direction that you expect your business to go in is upwards. No one wants to stay stagnated for obvious reasons.
This is exactly why it’s important to keep updating your business profile on Google. As your business grows, you might have t start being a lot more active. Posting pictures and asking your customers to give you ratings and reviews are a few steps to begin with.
Google will always keep you on its priority list if you are actively using and updating your business profile. In other words, updating will constantly remind Google of your existence.
At this point, you must be wondering what exactly for you in this. To clear this back thought of yours, let me explain the advantages of Google My Business.
The Benefits of Google My Business
There are plenty of benefits of using GMB, to mention one – 60% of smartphone users have connected a business directly using the search results (example – ‘click to call option’).
This stat is not the only benefit you will have while using Google My Business. GMB is free of cost for those of you who are wondering, how much does GMB cost?
Apart from the GMB website, there is also a Google My Business App that will help you to optimize your business profile on Google.
Moreover, you can gain key insights into your business on Google. To be more clear, you can find out how people found out about your business(Google maps or Google search), what makes you show up on their SERP, how your photos are performing, and so much more.
You can also use Google Analytics or Google Search Console to track your business performance on Google.
You’ve had had a proper introduction to GMB and you also know why you must absolutely have it. But that’s not all, Google has many other tools to support your business. Google Keyword Planner can help you with your keyword research initiatives and Google Tag Manager with managing your website tags.
The best or nothing, that should be your motto!
Conclusion
The is the part where we say our goodbyes. You’ve grown your own wings and are ready to fly.
Now go out there and make me proud.
I hope this blog was of good use to you, but this is not all of me. We at DigitalVillage.in, offer a variety of services that might be very helpful for your business.
Have a good day!