Google My Business (GMB) is an essential marketing tool for any startup business. It lets you update your business information on Google, advertise on Google Maps, engage with customers using Google reviews, and get directions and make reservations directly through Google.
However, it is not just an advertising platform: Google My Business has many uses that allow you to build better relationships with your customers. In this guide, we try to understand what Google My Business is and how you can take advantage of it.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a free online platform that helps you manage your online presence on Google, including your business information and online reviews. It helps you manage, update and optimize your business information on Google and get more reviews, which in turn helps you rank better on Google. In short, Google My Business is an essential tool that you need to get more customers, improve your visibility, and boost your SEO.
How to Use Google My Business
Here are some of the ways in which you can use Google My Business:
1. Update and Maintain Your Business Information
Google search results now include a local panel that displays your business details, like your name, address, telephone number, website URL, and hours of operation. This makes it easier for your customers to find you on Google and increases the chances of them calling you, visiting your business, and making a purchase.
Moreover, Google Maps now includes a local search result with your key information. When people search for your business on Google Maps, your details appear with a yellow tag. The information you provide on Google My Business is also used to populate your business information on other Google properties, like Google Search.
2. Get Reviews
The next time your customer has a problem, the solution to the problem can be sought from online reviews. Google My Business allows you to create a space where customers can post and share reviews about your business. These reviews can help you get more search traffic, gain more credibility and improve your rankings.
You can request reviews from your customers directly from GMB, and you can also contact customers who have already reviewed your business and ask them to post another review.
3. Post Photos
Adding photos on Google My Business helps your customers connect with your business and helps you get more visibility.
After uploading a photo, you can highlight it on the page and add details to it, which might include your company name, address, description, and much more.
4. Get a Review Embed Code
Another way to get reviews is by using a review embed option. You can use a review embed code to integrate Google reviews into your website, which can help you get more reviews and improve your SEO.
You can create a review call to action button as well and display it anywhere on your website. This will display a list of Facebook, Google, and Yelp reviews that link directly to the corresponding page on Google My Business.
5. Optimize Your Listing
Another way to improve your reviews is by optimizing your listing. You can edit your business information and change your category, address, and phone number, among other things. You can also add specialties and other details to your listing.
For example, you can add your business hours to your listing, which will give your customers more information about you before they visit your business.
6. Advertise on Google
If you are planning to advertise on Google, you can use Google My Business to create an AdWords account. You can also connect your Google AdSense account to it.
GMB also helps you find local businesses, which you can add to your Google Ads account.
You can also advertise on Google Maps, which is a great way to promote your business locally.
7. Make Reservations and Get Directions
You can make reservations and get directions using Google My Business. It has a feature that helps you manage your online reservations as well as find customers based on proximity to your business. For example, you can provide directions for your business to customers near your location and also make reservations for customers who are planning to visit your business.
Conclusion
Google My Business is a great platform that helps you manage your business information on Google, get more reviews, and drive more traffic and conversions to your business. We hope this article helped you understand what Google My Business is, how it can help you build your business, and how to use it.
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