Using Google My Business ensures you’re showing up in relevant local searches.
Whether you’re a brewpub, a yoga studio, or a legal office, 9 out of 10 locals and area visitors looking for goods and services like yours are searching online first. By far, the most popular local search engines are Google Search and Google Maps: more than 8 in 10 shoppers use Google Maps. If you’re not one of the five million business owners listed on Google My Business, you’re at a distinct disadvantage. Your business may not even be showing up in relevant local searches.
Fortunately, Google makes listing your business fairly straightforward and completely free, and the almost immediate results are better visibility and improved local ranking.
How do I list my business with Google My Business?
You can add or claim your Google Business Profile through Google Maps.
To add your business:
To claim your business:
How do I list my business with Google My Business?
Provide detailed, relevant data.
Google advises business owners to enter complete data to ensure users “know what to do, where you are, and when they can visit.” Your Google Business profile includes several ways to inform prospective customers and differentiate your business through categories, services listings, and attributes. You can give the information a more visual appeal by adding curated photos of your business, products, and staff.
Verify your location.
If you have a brick and mortar location, be sure to verify your business location(s). This extra step will ensure that each location is visible across Google Maps and Search and that customers can easily find you. To verify:
- Go to your Google Business Profile
- Click Get verified and then Postcard
- Review the address for accuracy
- Request verification postcard
Put your Google Business Profile on your quarterly business review (at least).
Google wants to provide the most recent information about your business. Put repeating quarterly alerts on your calendar to remind you to review your profile regularly. It’s ten minutes of effort to keep this valuable online storefront accurate. Google also lets you edit your profile to make temporary changes to your business hours, so make Google My Profile edits part of your holiday schedule if your business hours change.
Show your customer service skills.
Finally, consider viewing your profile once daily to check for reviews and provide prompt replies. Businesses with faster review response times have higher ratings and more positive reputations. In a 2022 Local Consumer Review Survey, 81% of survey respondents left reviews on Google, while Yelp and Facebook were the next most popular platforms at a meager 53% and 48%, respectively. Only 13% of survey respondents used Apple Maps. That makes your Google Business Profile a very public space to customer service expectations. Take advantage of that free platform.
Is your business showing up in local searches?
A current, informative Google Business Profile is something you can do right now to increase traffic to your business, but it’s only one part of a comprehensive marketing strategy. At Emery Designs, we provide responsive website development, informed market evaluation, search engine optimization, social media support, and more. Get in touch today to get your business seen and recognized in local searches.
