By Jaye Cowle
Google My Business is a powerful tool that we recommend all businesses use, especially – but not exclusively – if you’ve got a local presence. It’s essentially a free, rich listing that massively increases your visibility on Google Search, helping you dominate the results page and appear in Google Maps.
In fact, as a free channel with so many benefits, we’re always surprised when we find businesses not using it. Here’s a rundown of just some of the best features you could be missing out on.
Provide key information at a glance
Users want information and they want it fast. With Google My Business, you can add your opening times, address, contact details and links to your website. Best of all, all this information is displayed in a large, rich format alongside standard ads and search results – giving you maximum visibility.
Integration with Google Maps
As well as showing up on Google Search, your business will also display natively within Google Maps when users search for you, or other businesses similar to you. More and more, Maps is going beyond simply providing directions and becoming a rich discovery channel.
Customers can get directions, as well as seeing other useful information that can convince them to convert – such as whether you offer dine in, takeaway, click and collect, on-site services, appointments and more.
Rich content
Your business listing acts as a unique channel of its own, to which you can share photos, updates, offers, and much more. We often use ours to share noteworthy updates at a glance.
360˚ images are especially encouraged. It’s a great way of bridging the gap between the virtual and the real world, getting your customers familiar with your business before they even get there! Google says that this is a feature that tends to double users’ interest in the businesses that implement this feature.
Throughout the pandemic, Google has provided even more functionality, with the opportunity to provide COVID-19 specific updates about whether you’re open, along with details of health and safety measures. All of which helps customers feel informed and reassured about visiting you.
Valuable insights
This is Google, so naturally you get built-in analytics to tell you how users found your business listing and the type of action they took once they did. This can help you optimise the type of content you share, and drive even more visits. Ultimately, Google My Business is all about giving your potential customers everything they need to understand, visit, and engage with you. We hope we’ve convinced you to take a deeper look at your own presence and start making the most of it. As always, if you need any help or guidance, get in touch.
