If your business is built on local customers, a Google Business Profile is one of the most important tools you have. Google has a habit of changing the names of everything far too often, but if you have ever heard of Google My Business, Google My Maps, or Google Local, then this is the same idea in a new suit.
A Google Business Profile, or GBP, is a free Google listing that appears in local searches and on Google Maps, with all the details of your business and more. It helps connect with local consumers looking for relevant searches at your location, boosting local visibility and driving sales growth. However, with so many digital marketing strategies all promising to boost your reach and increase sales, why choose this one? What makes Google Business Profile so important?
Here are the benefits of having a Google Business Profile
Unlike SEO and other digital marketing strategies, having a Google Business Profile offers more than improved rankings. It is also a different approach to promoting your business, here are the key benefits you get from this impressive tool:
Improve Your Business Local Google Search Visibility
A GBP is focused on location, appearing in local searches and on Google Maps tied to your business address and operational area. That means your business is put in front of local consumers making searches relevant to your business. It’s a great way to boost sales, but it also gets you noticed by people who may come back to you another day. The better your Google Business profile performs, the more people will remember your business, even if they don’t use it the first time they see you.
It’s Free
Google don’t charge for this service, it is entirely free. But it is more than that, after all, we have all seen many free business tools on the internet, the problem is they are usually free for a reason, they don’t help.
This is why Google Business Profile being free is a big deal. It’s not just free, it’s free and very, very good. A well-crafted and optimized Google Business Profile is proven to deliver improved visibility and sustained sales growth.
Displays Useful and Accurate Information About Your Business
Even in its basic form as a contact card with details about who you are, where you are, what you do and how to get in touch, your GBP provides everything a prospective customer needs. They can search for a specific product or service, see your listing and get in touch, all in one place. Whether Google search or Google Maps, it is extremely convenient and easy for consumers to begin the buying process.
Provides a Great First Impression
Two things about your GBP make it an incredibly good way for someone to discover your business. First, they search Google, a brand the user trusts to provide the right answer to their question, and Google presents them with your business listing. It’s not a random name on the internet, it’s the business Google thinks will help them. Google spends billions of dollars building that trust, and you get all the benefits, for free.
Respond to Customer Reviews
Google likes all its services and tools to integrate with each other, and that has even more benefits for your business. Google reviews are shown right in your profile listing, a great help for consumers as they can check everything out in one place.
But what happens if something goes wrong? You serve enough customers, and eventually, you’ll get a bad review, that’s just how it is. Will that put people off? Not necessarily. You can respond to customer reviews directly within your GBP, and those responses are public. Handle a problem professionally and effectively, and that negative can become a positive, and give people more trust in your business.
Appear in Google Maps and Local Search
Convenience is everything today, people live at a fast pace and need everything as soon as possible. Your Google Business Profile, with all the information they need, appears directly in local search results or on Google Maps, where they are looking. That makes it incredibly convenient, they search for a product or service at a specific location, and they have all the details of your business, who is in that location and offers what they are looking for. All from one page or map.
Gain Customer Insights and Behavior Data
Google provides tools to help you analyze every aspect of your GBP, from who is visiting, which search phrases and more. You can drill down into the data and use it to refine your approach, not just in your GBP and local searches, but also in other marketing strategies too.
Learn about your customers, learn about your competitors and learn about your industry through your Google Business Profile.
Create A Free Business Website
You can actually create a website within your Google Business profile, hosted by Google, and again it is entirely free. While it lacks the kinds of features you may want in a full website for your business, it is a nice option, and for new businesses can be a great choice without any outlay.
Build Trust with Verified Business Information
One of the hardest things for businesses is getting potential customers to trust they are genuine. The nature of the digital world means that there is nothing you can do or say online to convince someone you can do what you say.
But a Google Business Profile is different. You verify your business with Google, and they tell their users you are trusted. Then you look at the profile, verified reviews from people Google say are real, and then there are the photos and videos you add in, your offers, updates and other posts. It’s a complete picture of a real business, and that builds trust in a way that few other digital platforms can.
How to Claim Your Google Business Profile
If you haven’t created your Google Business Profile yet, what are you waiting for? However, there may be an issue, what happens if you find that your business is already listed, but you haven’t set the listing up in GBP?
Don’t worry, you can claim a listing for your business, and it doesn’t take long. To find out more, check out our guide to claim your Google Business Profile.
Conclusion
Usually in business, you get what you pay for, but a Google Business Profile matters because it gives you something for free. One of the challenges for any business today is to be noticed, and with a well optimized Google Business Profile, you have all the help you need. From local searches to appearing on Google Maps, a GBP helps you stand out and get noticed by customers, and it is all free.
However, we know how busy you are as a business owner, and you may not have the time to set things up yourself. It can also be a little daunting if you have not done anything like this before. That is why Grid Rankers’ comprehensive Google Business Profile optimization solutions deliver effective, efficient and sustainable results to put your business in front of more local consumers. Talk to our team today to find out more.
FAQ
Is it used by potential customers to get directions to your business?
Yes! Because the GBP appears directly on Google Maps, it can be used to create directions just like any other pin placed on the map.
What can I learn from the insights section in Google Business Profile?
You can see what search terms are being used to find you, and how many from each visit your site or get in touch. This allows you to see the best search terms for other digital marketing strategies, and also the most popular services or products that you offer.
How Does Google Business Profile influence Google’s understanding of my business?
Because you verify the business, Google knows exactly who and what it is, and this extends to connected websites and social media profiles too. This helps with ranking for your GBP but can also boost website standings too.