This is one of the first steps you should take as a new business, or if you are already established it is worth checking out and making sure this is all in order.
The Importance of Google My Business
Google My Business is Essential
Creating and maintaining your Google My Business (GMB) account is essential to improve your listing’s click through rate (CTR) as you receive a virtual digital business card with your listing. This allows you to manage the way in which your business appears in Google Search and, even Google Maps. If your search is closely matched with the search term, your listing will display a virtual business card displaying images, opening hours, reviews and other business information. It acts as a landing point and offers essential information to consumers actively looking to gain more information on your business or your product.
Improve Business Visibility
Your Google My Business account provides the following key information to consumers at a glance:
- Opening hours
- Website
- Reviews
- Location/directions
- Marketing Options
- Run Ads
- View Data and Insights
Google My Business Insights
Updating Information on Google My Business
The Google My Business platform offers businesses the ability to share posts which show at the bottom of your listing. Businesses are allowed to share posts in multiple formats such as promotions, news, events or highlight products. You can add photos, headings, and up to 300 words of text. This is something that can be done quickly and easily, so there is no reason not to do so whenever you have a spare 5 minutes.
Free Marketing Platform And Free Exposure
The good news is that it is completely free to set up, which means there is no reason not to have this essential platform up and running. Not only is it free, it is very simple to do so, and considering the potential ROI, it is certainly something all business owners should be looking into.
Increase Traffic and Sales
Another challenge local businesses face is that of maintaining an increase in quality website traffic and keeping a steady supply of foot traffic filtering through their doors. While there’s no way to completely avoid the ups and downs throughout the year, having a Google My Business listing can greatly help boost your numbers across the board.
Simply having a listing and showing up in local searches, Google has found that businesses are as much as 70% more likely to attract location visits from browsing potentials. An even more impressive figure revealed that customers who find a brand through their Google My Business listing are up to 50% more likely to make a purchase.
It Is Good For SEO, But…
Don’t let this detract from your local SEO efforts, because if you want your business listing, posts, snippets or any other organic listings to be visible, you will need to be an authoritative ranking. This means generating more links to your site, producing new quality content, and generating more reviews from your customers.
