How to Optimize Google Business Profile & Benefits of GBP Listings
December 18, 2023
Rudra Kumar
What has changed from the original post:
- Language has been modified.
- Added steps to create a Google Business Profile.
- Added 4 new google business profile optimization points.
- Added new feature & benfits of GBP (Google Business Profile).
Summary
Improve your business sales with Google Business Profile (GBP). Learn how to leverage its features of posts and chat and easily monitor and measure their impact on your business success.
Introduction
As a widely used web browser, Google commands 85% of online searches, making it a valuable platform for entrepreneurs. Out of these, almost 95% of searches are done using mobile devices. From a business owner’s perspective, this is a minefield of opportunities waiting to be leveraged. All it needs is the right tool. That is where Google Business Profile for sales generation comes in.
Google My Business, (now known as Google Business Profile), is a free tool that empowers businesses to manage their online presence and enhance local exposure. To achieve this, entrepreneurs need to fill out some details on Google Business Profile, also known as creating listings.
How To Create Google Business Profile Listings?
While Google My Business is now officially known as Google Business Profile (GBP), the term “Google My Business” is still widely used and understood. To maintain clarity and consistency throughout this blog, we will continue to use the term “Google Business Profile” when referring to Google My Business.
Now to begin, initiate an online search and confirm whether your business is already listed on Google Business Profile. For established businesses, there is a likelihood that Google Business Profile has a pre-existing listing waiting to be claimed. Once you have confirmed or ruled out the existing listing, you can create a Google Business Profile account.
Here are the steps to create a Google Business Profile
1. Go to Google Business Profile Page:
Visit the Google Business Profile website and click ‘Start Now’ to begin.
2. Sign in or Create a Google Account:
Sign in to your existing Google Account or create a new one. If creating a new account, use your business email domain.
3. Go to Google My Business:
Visit the Google My Business website.
4. Create a Profile:
Click on the option to create a new profile.
5. Enter Business Name:
Provide your business name. You may select your business from the suggested options.
6. Verify Business Ownership:
If told that someone else has verified the business, request ownership of the Business Profile.
7. Search for Business Category:
Look for your business category and click Next.
8. Specify Location:
Indicate whether your business has a physical location for customers to visit.
9. Enter Address (if applicable):
If yes, enter your business address or position it on the map. Click Next.
10. Service Area (if no physical location):
If no physical location, enter the service area based on cities, postal codes, or other relevant areas.
11. Provide Contact Information:
Enter a phone number and website URL. Click Next.
12. Verification Option:
Choose a verification option (now or later) and follow the steps for verification.
13. Review and Finish:
Review your information and click Finish.
14. Authorize Management (if applicable):
If not authorized to manage the Business Profile for a chain, find an authorized person within your organization.
It is worth noting that Google may or may not inform you about any changes made to your business listing. It is, thus, essential to log in and keep checking your listing at regular intervals.
Additional Read:- Step-by-Step Process to Create Google Account for Business in 2023
Optimizing Google Business Profile for Sales
Businesses get a seamless interface for managing their online presence across multiple platforms such as Google Search, Google Maps, and Google+, with the help of Google Business Profile listings. Using one dashboard, business users can now post content, track analytics, and revert to potential customers’ queries and current customer’s concerns.
Here are some of the Google Business Profile optimization are:
Chat/Messages
Google Business Profile optimization provides an option to directly chat with the customers who discover them through mobile search results.
This feature is a great benefit to new business owners as it facilitates easy and quick interaction with potential customers.
However, it is necessary to respond promptly as the average response time is displayed to the user, adding to your business’ credibility and customer experience.
How to Enable Google Chats/Messages
- The ‘Chat’ card is under the “Home” menu. Select the option and enter your phone number to enable receiving texts.
- You can continue receiving texts even after your business hours. Turn off the feature in case you do not want to receive messages after business hours.
- Do not provide any sensitive information using the Google Business Profile messaging feature.
Source: Hootsuite
Appointment URLs
This feature is essential for businesses looking to book appointments before the clients visit. For such establishments, Google Business Profile enables the inclusion of a link to make a direct appointment. This helps in organizing the influx of customers when there is a rush.
How to Add Google URL
- Visit the URL’s section and enter the URL that is to be added.
- The best recourse here would be to add the link to the ‘Contact Us’ page.
- After adding the link, click on it to check whether it is working.
Questions and Answers
The question and answer features allow prospective clients to ask questions to business owners. It fosters engagement and transparency. Businesses can address customer queries directly and provide valuable information.
However, this feature is only available on Android devices currently. To receive notifications regarding questions asked or answered, business owners need access to Google Maps.
How to Measure the Impact of Your Listing
It is important to measure the impact of your listing on Google Business Profile. Google Business Profile provides tools to measure the impact of your listings, offering insights into customer behaviour and the effectiveness of your online presence. There are many benefits of these tools:
- They help find how customers are finding you online. It may be direct, i.e., when people know about you and search using your name or address or discovery, when people who do not know about your business but find you by searching for a business type or category).
- Where are people finding your business listing? Search or Maps
- Which actions are customers taking after finding your listing?
- Where are the customers living, and what are the number of phone calls and the time they are calling?
Google Business Profile Online Reviews
Unlike Yelp, Google encourages business owners to ask their clients for reviews. Business reviews help your business stand out and impact the search result rankings. Reviews are so popular that 97% of consumers read reviews for local businesses, with a staggering 85% trusting them as much as personal recommendations.
It is recommended to promptly respond to reviews. It means that you appreciate the feedback and show potential customers that you care.
How to Increase Revenue with Organic Traffic Business Reviews
This is a recent addition to the list of features that have been added by Google. It allows 750 characters to be added to the business description. Of these, however, only 250 characters will appear and the rest will be truncated in the Knowledge Panel.
The business description appears in the ‘Knowledge Panel’ towards the bottom when viewing the website on the desktop. However, it is visible in the ‘About’ tab on a mobile device.
Service List
For businesses offering diverse services, GB offers a Service Lists feature that allows them to showcase their services.
If your company provides a wide variety of services that you would like people to see at a glance, then you will be glad to know that Google Business Profile offers a Services list.
How to Use Google’s Service List
- It is available under the ‘Info’ tab.
- It can be used to categorize the services.
- You should show the prices of each item.
- Update the prices in case of a change.
Some Other Ways to Optimize Your Google Business Profile for Sales
Regularly update crucial details like business name, address, phone number, website, description, and category for accurate information.
- Compelling Business Description:
Craft a compelling business description highlighting key offerings, unique selling points, and what sets your business apart.
- Encourage User-Generated Content:
Motivate customers to share visual content, like photos and reviews, enhancing your profile’s authenticity and engaging potential customers.
- Special Offers and Events:
Create and promote special offers or events through your profile to attract and incentivize customers, providing them with added value and a reason to choose your business.
New Features And Benefits Of Google Business Profile Listings
The latest features and benefits of Google Business Profile make managing social media links easy. Businesses can integrate their social media profiles directly, amplifying their online presence. It helps enhance customer engagement by allowing users to connect with the business on various platforms. You can also use social media to update customers about upcoming offers and products. This not only fosters a stronger online community but also boosts visibility. Businesses can leverage platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X to create a cohesive and impactful online brand presence.
Benefits of Using a Google Business Profile
- Enhanced Visibility: A Google Business Profile increases the visibility of your business among potential customers by ensuring that it appears in local search results and on Google Maps.
- Credibility and Trust: Having an official Google Business Profile adds credibility to your business, instilling trust in customers often relying on online reviews and information.
- Customer Engagement: The platform facilitates direct customer interaction through reviews, questions, and updates. It helps build rapport and loyalty.
- Accurate Information: Keep vital details such as business hours, contact information, and address up-to-date. This helps customers find and reach your business easily.
- Insights and Analytics: Google Business Profile helps you gain valuable insights into customer behavior, including how they find your business and what actions they take. You can use these analytics to refine your marketing strategy.
- Showcase Products and Services: Display products, services, and special promotions, providing potential customers with a comprehensive view of what your business offers.
- Mobile Optimization: Google Business Profiles are mobile-friendly, catering to the increasing number of users who search for businesses on smartphones.
- Competitive Edge: Having a well-managed profile sets you apart from competitors and positions your business as a reputable and reliable choice.
- Cost-Effective Marketing: It’s a free tool that offers robust marketing features, making it an efficient and cost-effective way to promote your business online.
- Local SEO Benefits: A Google Business Profile positively impacts local search engine optimization (SEO), improving your business’s chances of appearing in local search results.
Parting Thoughts
Customers can find your business online through many ways. Undoubtedly, Google is the most trustworthy search engine. However, once customers have interacted with you for the first time, you do not want to send them back with partial information.
Google Business Profile provides them with all relevant information at a glance and acts as a platform for engaging with them. A positive customer engagement is crucial for generating leads. For the same reason, every business owner should claim their free Google Business Profile listing as it paves the way for bettering customer interactions and providing timely business updates.
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