WHAT IS GOOGLE MY BUSINESS?
Google Business Profile is a free Google business listing. Google My Business is a tool for managing and optimising your Google Business Profile. It enables you to provide information and photographs of your company, including its location, products and services. Creating a free Google profile is a good approach to boost your visibility across all of Google’s services. Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping may display information from your Google Business Profile.
GMB is a free service that lets you provide more information about your business when it appears in search. You can also include business images, videos, phone numbers, business hours, a delivery area, and links to reservation services in addition to the URL and description. A cover photo, as well as snippets from Google Maps and Google Street View, provides potential customers with an idea of what to expect when they visit for the first time.
STEPS TO CREATE GOOGLE MY BUSINESS ACCOUNT:
It’s free, quick, and simple to set up a Google My Business account.
- Log in to your Google account and go to the Google My Business homepage.
- Type in your business name.
- Provide your business address so that people may find you.
- Pick your business category; this informs Google about the customers who should see your listing.
- Include your company’s phone number as well as a link to your website.
- Verify your business.
- Add the business working hours.
- Include messaging and the business description.
HOW TO VERIFY YOUR BUSINESS ACCOUNT?
After you’ve entered all of your information into the system, Google must complete their verification procedure to ensure that you have permission to claim this listing. This assures that no one else can claim your business listing.
- POSTCARD VERIFICATION:
All firms can use this form of verification. A postcard will be mailed to the company address and should arrive in five days. A code will be included on the postcard, which must be typed into the relevant location inside the Google Business Profile(GBP) account. You can ask for a replacement if you don’t receive the postcard.
- PHONE VERIFICATION:
Some businesses may be able to verify their accounts over the phone, but not everyone will have this choice. This option will appear on the verification page if you are eligible. If you choose this option, an automated phone call will provide you with a code.
- EMAIL VERIFICATION:
The email option, like phone verification, isn’t available to everyone. You can request a code to your mailbox if you have the option to verify via email. Only the email address associated with the GBP account will be able to do so.
BENEFITS OF GOOGLE MY BUSINESS:
1) IT IS FREE AND EASY TO USE:
One of the best aspects of GMB is that it is completely free! Setting up a Google My Business listing is one of the most easy and cost-effective ways to ensure that your business is found on google. This local business listing is a simple method to maintain an online presence. You can modify your information or check how many people have viewed and clicked on your listing at any time by going to your Business Profile.
2) IMPROVES YOUR LOCAL SEO:
GMB has a significant impact on your Google rankings. One of the most effective SEO strategies may be Google My Business. Adding a few contact details, though, isn’t enough. To get the greatest results, you’ll need to optimise your Google My Business account. The prime real estate that your Google My Business profile can occupy in search results is one of the biggest advantages.
3) INCREASES VISIBILITY ON GOOGLE SEARCH AND MAPS:
Google is the ultimate search referrer, whether you’re seeking for foot traffic or web traffic. A Google Business Profile makes it easier for customers to locate your company when they’re seeking for similar products and services in their neighbourhood. Your GMB listing tells people where to find you and how to get there. When users use Google Maps to search for a nearby business, a listing for a local business is more likely to surface.
4) IT ENSURES ONLINE CONSISTENCY:
As your business expands or develops, you’ll want to be able to keep your consumers informed and educated at the same time. Update your GMB listing with new phone numbers, locations, websites, and social media accounts to keep your customers informed. Customers will be able to reach and find you easily if you move your location or use a different phone number.
5) IT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO LEAVE REVIEWS ON YOUR BUSINESS:
When clients are making a purchasing decision, reviews play a significant role. Most buyers examine internet reviews to assess a local business’s quality and select the product with the best ratings. You may collect reviews from consumers and demonstrate the quality of your products or services to future clients by using Google My Business. Searchers are increasingly looking for social proof that a company is deserving of their business, and internet evaluations are one of the most powerful tools for doing so.
6) BOOSTS SALES:
Businesses with a Google My Business listing are 70% more likely to get local visits from browsing users, resulting in increased traffic and sales. While a quick Google search might help narrow down options—especially for consumers on the go, majority of respondents prefer to use Google Maps to find nearby businesses. Customers are more inclined to come to your business if you’re close by, thus you’re more likely to make that sale.
7) IT PROVIDES INSIGHTS THAT GIVES YOU VALUABLE INFORMATION:
GMB can provide you with insights regarding your business that you wouldn’t be able to receive from other platforms, and it can also assist you in making strategic decisions. The GMB dashboard can help you learn more about your audience and local search results. You can view the queries customers use to find your Business Profile in the analytics page of the platform.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Google My Business is a simple and free way to market your business. A Google Business listing has numerous advantages, ranging from improving local SEO to assisting clients in finding your street address. Clients can quickly find your firm online and in person after you have a GMB listing. Google offers one of the most prominent business directories in the world.
