Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to create and manage your online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. By verifying and updating your business information, you can help customers find you and tell them the story of your business.
In this blog post, we will show you how to use Google My Business to get more customers in 2023. We will cover the following topics:
.A guide on claiming and maximizing your Google My Business profile
.Steps for adding and refreshing your products and services
.Strategies for gathering feedback from customers and crafting responses
.Techniques for creating engaging posts and promotional offers
.Tips for analyzing performance data and implementing improvements.
Secure and Enhance Your Google My Business Account
The first step to use Google My Business is to claim your profile. This will allow you to access and edit your business information, as well as verify your ownership.
To gain ownership of your profile, visit google.com/business and log in using your Google account. If you don't have an account, you can easily create one without any cost. Afterward, search for your business's name and location on the website or add it if it hasn't been listed yet. Simply follow the provided guidelines to verify your business through phone, email, or postcard as instructed.
Once you have claimed your profile, you can optimize it by adding relevant and accurate information about your business. This includes:
.Please provide your business name, address, phone number, website URL, and operating hours
.Your business category and attributes (such as wheelchair accessible, free wifi, etc.)
.Your logo, cover photo, and additional photos that showcase your business
.A short description of what you do and what makes you unique
.A link to book appointments or place orders online (if applicable)
Optimizing your profile will help you rank higher on Google Search and Maps, as well as attract more customers who are looking for what you offer.
Add and Update Your Products and Services
Google My Business allows you to showcase your products and services on your profile. This can help customers discover what you have to offer, compare prices, and make purchase decisions.
To add or update your products and services, go to the Products or Services tab on your Google My Business dashboard. You can create different sections for different types of products or services, such as categories, collections, or menus. For each product or service, you can add a name, price, description, photo, and link to buy or learn more.
Adding or updating your products and services regularly will help you keep your customers informed of what's new, what's on sale, or what's in season.
Collect and Respond to Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are one of the most powerful ways to build trust and loyalty with your customers. They can also influence how you rank on Google Search and Maps, as well as how other potential customers perceive your business.
Google My Business makes it easy for you to collect and respond to customer reviews on your profile. You can encourage customers to leave reviews by sending them a link to your profile, or by using stickers, posters, or flyers that display your QR code. You can also offer incentives or rewards for leaving reviews, such as discounts, coupons, or loyalty points.
To respond to customer reviews, go to the Reviews tab on your Google My Business dashboard. You can see all the reviews that customers have left for your business, as well as filter them by rating, date, or reply status. You can also reply to reviews directly from the dashboard, or by using the Google My Business app on your mobile device.
Responding to customer reviews is a great way to show appreciation, address feedback, resolve issues, or answer questions. It can also help you improve your customer satisfaction and retention rates.
Create and Share Posts and Offers
Google My Business allows you to create and share posts and offers on your profile. These are short updates that appear on Google Search and Maps when customers search for your business or browse nearby businesses.
You can use posts and offers to:
.Announce news, events, promotions, or updates
.Highlight special features or benefits of your products or services
.Share tips, advice, stories, or testimonials
.Invite customers to take action, such as book an appointment, place an order, or sign up for a newsletter
To create a post or offer, go to the Posts tab on your Google My Business dashboard. You can choose from different types of posts, such as What's New, Event, Offer, or Product. For each post or offer, you can add a title, text, photo, video, or call-to-action button. You can also set a start and end date for posts that are time-sensitive.
Creating and sharing posts and offers regularly will help you keep your customers engaged, informed, and interested in your business. Analyze and Improve Your Performance Google My Business provides you with insights and reports that help you measure and improve your performance on Google Search and Maps. You can access these insights and reports from the insights tab on your Google My Business dashboard.
Some of the insights and reports that you can see are:
.How customers find your business (by direct, discovery, or branded searches)
.How customers interact with your business (by visiting your website, calling your phone number, requesting directions, or messaging you)
.How customers view your photos (by photo views and photo quantity)
.How customers review your business (by rating, review count, and reply rate)
.How your posts and offers perform (by views, clicks, and conversions)
Analyzing and improving your performance will help you optimize your Google My Business profile, reach more customers, and grow your business.
Conclusion
In the year 2023, Google My Business proves to be a valuable asset for attracting a larger customer base. By carefully adhering to the aforementioned guidelines, you can take advantage of this tool by claiming and enhancing your profile, incorporating and refreshing your range of products and services, managing customer reviews efficiently, crafting engaging posts and promotions, as well as analyzing performance data to enhance future outcomes.
If you need any help with Google My Business, you can contact us at [email address] or [phone number]. We are a team of experts who can help you set up, manage, and optimize your Google My Business profile. We can also help you with other aspects of your online marketing strategy, such as SEO, PPC, social media, web design, and more.
Get in touch with us now to schedule a complimentary consultation and receive a customized quote. We eagerly anticipate your contact and are excited to assist you in expanding your business throughout the upcoming year of 2023.
