For many years, Google My Business (GMB) has been a useful tool for businesses to share important details such as contact details and location information. Recently, Google announced a rebrand for GMB and it will soon be called Google Business Profile instead.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a helpful tool for businesses to raise brand awareness. It often appears in Google searches when a user searches for a query regarding your business. This snippet of information often appears on the right hand side of the search queries or below the paid advertising section. If this information has been inputted, it will give users access to all of your contact details, as well as a link to your website and maybe even some images of your premises or previous work.
You can have full access to this information and can make any amends if you have claimed your listing.
What’s new with Google Business Profile?
Google has made it even easier to edit the information in your business listing. Now, businesses can simply search for their business in Google to edit their information. Businesses now also have the ability to allow messages directly to their profiles. In time, it is expected that call history will also be introduced as a feature to help smaller businesses to secure sales. Google also plans to remove the GMB app to encourage businesses to utilise this easier method of updating information.
Creating a listing
Creating a Google Business Profile is very simple and doesn’t require a lot of time or information. You will need basic information such as the business name, location and business category. Once your listing has been created, users can add reviews and other information to your listing to help others.
Why should I create a Google Business Profile?
SEO
Search engine optimisation is so important for driving relevant traffic to your website. Google is one of the most used search engines and therefore having your business listed directly with them can have a really positive impact on your website’s SEO.
Increased interactions
Many businesses struggle to find the time to interact with customers online, having access to a Google Business Profile means that you can easily interact with users through messaging or responding to reviews that have been left by existing customers.
Share accurate information
Sharing accurate information with potential customers is so important. If a user searches specifically for your business and finds a phone number or website link that doesn’t work then you risk losing a sale. Users don’t tend to spend time searching for information that should be easy to find.
This Google Business Profile update aims to make it even easier for businesses to share the most important company details. It is definitely a good idea to create a listing but you must ensure that all of the information is correct in order to maximise the potential of your listing.
If you need any help with your profile or your digital presence, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we’re happy to help.