4 Benefits of Having a Google Business Profile
In this blog post, I will discuss 4 benefits of having a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) you need to know so you can make the most of your Profile!
Let’s begin!
What is a Google Business Profile?
In November 2021, Google rebranded Google My Business to Google Business Profiles. Below is a quick introduction showcasing Google My Business, but while the name changed, the interface hasn’t.
Be sure to watch Introduction to Google Business Profiles: Part 2 – The Best Way To Optimize Your Profile and Part 3 – How To Use Posts, Offers, Products, and Insights.
Basically, Google Business Profiles is a platform that powers how Google displays businesses in search results, giving you the chance to show up on top of the local results, appear in other results, and control how your information appears.
Every local business owner should know about and use their Google Business Profile, as the information you submit can show up in a variety of ways on the search engine, including the knowledge panel, the local results, and maps.
Why Should I Care About Google Business Profiles?
Having your profile optimized is one way to let Google know more about your business, such as who you are, what you sell, and where you are.
You are more likely to appear in more types of searches when Google knows more about you.
When people type your business’ name into the search box, it usually displays your knowledge panel and website links.
By knowing what you do and sell, Google can help match your content with other types of search queries; the most valuable being Google’s Three-Pack (especially with local search).
The Benefits of Having a Google Business Profile
You Appear in Local Pack Profiles and on Maps
Have you noticed how Google places searches include a map and the names of nearby businesses? This is called the Local Pack, and there are two reasons why you should pay attention to it.
It’s Highly Visible
Google’s Local Pack takes up a lot of space on the first page of search results, and it is the first thing users see when they type in their query.
You can see the information you need at a glance.
It Affects Your SEO
Local Packs are Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) that display the locations that relate to your search. In addition to the location, phone number, hours of operation, and reviews include other relevant information that potential customers may find useful: how to get there, where to park, and how to get there. Businesses and customers alike will find it useful.
Among all the factors that determine local pack rankings, Moz claims that having a Google Business Profile is the most crucial. If you’re looking to reach your targeted audience, the people who are in your service area, you could benefit from using Google Business Profiles to verify, update, and optimize information about your business.
Customers Can Leave Reviews of Your Business
Never underestimate the power of customer reviews, especially when it comes to search rankings. In another study by Moz, online reviews are estimated to influence search engine ranking by 10%.
So, to increase the chances of your business being included in search results, using your profile to let customers leave positive feedback about your business is vital.
Here are some other reasons why you need people to leave reviews.
Reviews Improve Local SEO
When purchasing products, many consumers turn to reviews. According to a Shopify study, as much as 93 percent of consumers are likely to be influenced by online reviews. So, most of them.
It’s because these little blocks of text are testimonies of actual consumers who the company didn’t pay to promote their product or service. Thus, people feel that they’re more credible, and so, many believe what they say.
More and more people are checking out customer reviews before choosing a local business. Since people love reading reviews, search engines use them to rank search results. If you can properly utilize this profile feature, it can have a huge impact on your business.
Reviews Increase Sales
Reviews matter, especially positive ones. As well as improving your search engine ranking, they also serve as free and reliable ads for your product or service. Therefore, it is much more likely that a customer will decide to buy a product with many positive reviews instead of one with many criticisms.
Almost as many people trust online reviews as they do personal recommendations. Getting more positive customer reviews will increase your chances of generating leads and sales. According to the research, reviews and sales are positively correlated.
Positive reviews are important, but even the best companies receive negative reviews. Therefore, whenever you are faced with a similar situation, act professionally. These reviews are not meant to be personal.
Rather than discarding them, use them to improve your product. Positive and negative reviews can both be useful to your company’s progress when used correctly.
Reviews Tell You What Customers Think About Your Business
A review provides insight into how customers view your business. By understanding customer needs and expectations, you’ll be able to determine which strategies you should stick with, what should be changed, or what needs to be improved.
It’s always helpful to read what your clients have to say, no matter how good or bad they are. Put them into perspective and view them logically.
Managing Google Business Profile with Insights
Your business will benefit from having a profile. Your product or service is not only promoted, but it also helps you gauge the market.
What makes this possible?
With a Google Business Profile, you can gain valuable insight into important aspects of your business to help you develop strategies and make informed decisions. Using this tool, you can access statistics and insights that can help you understand where your audience is coming from.
Views
You can see how many views you are getting on your profile, photos, and posts in your profile. This is especially important for verifying the effectiveness of your campaigns – whether they’re working well and bringing in the attention you want or not doing anything at all.
Search Queries
You can learn and understand how consumers find your business by using a report generated from your profile. This report shows how people find your profile, particularly which keywords they use.
When you identify the keywords that are relevant to your online presence, you can increase traffic significantly. You can, for instance, dominate relevant long-tail keywords to increase clicks to your website significantly.
Engagement
Your profile provides you with detailed information about how your audience interacts with your Google Business Profile posts. For example, you can see what posts they share and what types of comments they leave. You can then determine the types of materials that will work best for your business.
Audience
Your profile includes a section where you can view a summary of the people who follow you. With this feature, you can see the range of ages, gender, and even countries they come from. These are all helpful when you’re creating a campaign.
Clicks on Website Link
Your profile can also show you how many times a link to your website has been clicked on.
Knowing these statistics and quantifying the information can help you formulate a sound strategy. Studying the numbers is one of the best ways to boost your audience engagement, website traffic, and sales.
It’s Free and Easy
Even if a product is beneficial, its effectiveness will be limited if it is unaffordable, impractical, and difficult to use. When it comes to Google Business Profiles, that’s not the case.
Considering how intuitive and free this tool is, even startups can use it to promote their business. You can create your profile in just a few hours; however, sometimes Google needs to verify ownership of your business, which can take up to a week.
Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to dominate Google’s page one. As a bonus, it includes powerful tools for analyzing performance, allowing you to find ways to improve your ranking.
By increasing their visibility and improving their chances of appearing in search results, Google Business Profiles makes it easy for startups and local businesses to promote their products and services online. It can make it easier for potential customers to find and contact you. You can utilize it to boost your business’ revenue, improve your online presence, and interact with your customers.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many benefits to having a Google Business Profile.
However, getting the most out of your business profile requires optimization. If you would like help with managing your online presence more quickly and efficiently, contact me and we can chat!
Thanks for reading,
AJ