What is google my business?

Google My Business is a free tool from Google that helps businesses manage how they appear online across Google Search and Maps. Think of it as your business's public profile on Google. It lets you share important details like your address, phone number, website, business hours, and photos directly with potential customers. When someone searches for a product or service you offer in their area, your Google My Business profile can show up, making it easier for them to find and contact you.This tool is super helpful for any business, especially those with a physical location or those that serve customers in a specific area. By keeping your profile updated and complete, you make it simpler for people to discover your business, learn about what you offer, and decide to visit your store, call you, or go to your website. It's all about making your business visible and accessible to local customers right when they need you.

Why it matters

Having a strong Google My Business profile is really important for a few key reasons. First, it greatly improves your visibility in local search results. When someone searches for "restaurants near me" or "plumber in [city name]," Google often shows a map with local businesses at the top of the search page. Your GMB profile is what makes you appear in this special section, often called the "local pack." This means more people see your business without even clicking on a website.Second, it builds trust and credibility. Customers often look at reviews before making a decision. Your GMB profile displays customer reviews and ratings, which can heavily influence whether someone chooses your business. By actively managing your reviews and responding to them, you show that you care about your customers. Third, it provides valuable insights. GMB gives you data on how customers find your business and what actions they take, like calling you or asking for directions. This information helps you understand your audience better and improve your marketing efforts.

How to optimize your profile

Making your Google My Business profile the best it can be involves a few simple steps. The goal is to provide as much accurate and helpful information as possible so customers can easily find you and learn about your business.

Complete your business information

This is the most important step. Make sure your business name, address, phone number, and website are exactly correct and consistent with what's on your website and other online listings. Choose the most accurate business categories that describe what you do. For example, a bakery should select "Bakery" and maybe "Coffee shop" if they also serve coffee. List your exact business hours, including special holiday hours, so customers know when they can reach you.

Add photos and videos

People love visuals. High-quality photos of your storefront, products, team, and interior can make a big difference. They help customers get a feel for your business before they even visit. You can also add a logo and a cover photo to make your profile stand out. Businesses with photos often get more clicks and direction requests than those without.

Encourage and respond to reviews

Customer reviews are gold. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your GMB profile. You can do this by simply asking them or by including a link in your follow-up emails. It's equally important to respond to every review, both positive and negative. Thank customers for positive feedback and address concerns professionally in negative reviews. This shows you are engaged and care about customer experience.

Use Google posts

Google Posts are like mini-blog posts or social media updates that appear directly on your Google My Business profile. You can use them to announce new products, special offers, events, or important updates. Posts stay visible for seven days, so it's a good idea to post regularly to keep your profile fresh and engaging.

Key metrics to track

Google My Business provides an "Insights" section where you can see how customers interact with your profile. Tracking these metrics helps you understand what's working and where you might need to make changes.

How customers find you

You can see if customers found you through "direct search" (they searched for your business name), "discovery search" (they searched for a product or service and found you), or "branded search" (they searched for a brand related to your business). Discovery searches are especially valuable as they show new customers finding you.

Customer actions

GMB tracks what customers do after seeing your profile. This includes clicks to your website, requests for directions, and phone calls to your business. These actions directly show how your profile is driving potential customers to engage with you.

Photo views

You can see how many times your photos have been viewed compared to photos from other businesses in your category. This helps you understand if your visuals are appealing.

Reviews performance

Keep an eye on your average star rating and the number of new reviews you receive. A higher rating and consistent new reviews can boost your visibility and trust.In conclusion, Google My Business is a powerful and free tool that is essential for local businesses. By taking the time to fully optimize and regularly manage your profile, you can significantly improve your online visibility, attract more local customers, and build a stronger reputation. Make it a regular part of your marketing routine to keep your business shining on Google.