What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a tool for businesses to manage their online presence across Google including Search and Maps. When this tool is used correctly, it can help customers find your business and let them know the information that they are looking for.
Google My Business is a place to –
- Manage your information
“Let customers know of the products and services that you offer. Businesses that verify information with Google are twice as likely to be considered reputable by consumers” (Google 2020).
- Interact with customers
Google My Business is a place where consumers can write reviews and share pictures about their experience at your store. According to Google, Businesses that add photos to their Business Profiles receive 42% more requests for directions on Google Maps and 35% more clicks through to websites in comparison to websites that don’t.
- Understand and expand your presence
Google My Business can provide you with FREE information on how customers searched for your business, and where those customers search from. You can also find out other information about how many people have called your business directly!
What can you do?
The most important thing that you can do as a store is ask your customers for Google Reviews. Reviews act like a mini SEO (search engine optimisation) strategy for your business on Google. The more reviews that you have, the more likely your store will show up when someone searches for a business like yours on Google.
If you have specific in-store event, new product, special days, local events etc. that you would like to let your customers know about, use Google posts to spread the word, exactly like you would on social media. It’s all about ‘feeding the beast’ as Sarah would say. The more you feed it, the more rewarded your business will be.
A Case Study: We suggested to a client based in a highly concentrated area amongst it’s competitors that they should implement a review strategy to complement their other SEO strategy. The client listened and gained 261 reviews in a short period of time. This boosted their online reputation, and Google rewarded them for it by placing them above their competitors. The client saw a significant increase in traffic to their store, ultimately increasing sales just from utilising one free tool.