Why You Need A Google Business Account

Why You Need Google My Business Account

Your Google Business Account

You need a Google Business listing if you want your local business to be found on a basic Google search. Google Business allows your business to be found when people look for businesses like yours on Google. For your local business to rank well in Google, you need a Google Business listing.

If you don’t have a Google Business account, you’re missing out on a lot. The good news is that Google Business is FREE, which makes Google My Business the best bargain in online marketing tools!

Get Found With Google Business

Even if you run a brick-and-mortar store, you need to have a solid online presence. Why? Because most customers and prospects begin their buying with an online search. Most people start their online search for all products and services on Google.

When someone looks for your local services, they may find your business on a Google search,  but it really helps if you have a robust Google Business page. A well-developed Google Business listing shows your address (or hides it, if you prefer), your hours, products, services, photos, info about your business, photos, any articles you post, and much more.

Google Business can also improve your local search results. Your Google profile business can show up on the right side of page one when someone searches for you. That’s golden. And it’s FREE.

Even if you already have a website and social media, your Google Business page helps get results. Google Business accounts also provide access to basic analytics, allowing you to see how many times your Google Business page was clicked, if they called you and if they visited your website. That’s all very useful information. And more importantly, it can result in sales.

Google Business Helps Keep Customers Informed

Don’t leave it up to Yelp, online YellowPages, TripAdvisor, and other third-party sites to provide information about your company. When someone searches for your business, they should find the correct information, straight from YOU. You do not want to leave your customers guessing or worse, misinformed.

Your Google Business listing includes your name, address, telephone, contact info, your business hours, and more. You can post updates to share new services, announce if you’re temporarily closed, share COVID-19 business updates, and so much more.

Google Business Gives You A Boost in Credibility

Customers are 70% more likely to visit businesses with a Google Business listing and twice as likely to earn trust from customers.
Trust is essential when it comes to making any purchase. The more confident a consumer feels, the more likely they are to buy. Research shows that a good Google My Business page increases visits by 38% and shows that 29% of those visitors are more likely to buy something.

Google Business Reviews

Google Business reviews help build trust, too. 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Positive reviews help visitors better understand you and your business. When you’ve done a good job for someone, ask for a Google Review by sending your Google review link. While it may seem awkward at first to ask for a review, learn to get into the habit of asking. And remember to respond to these reviews online, whether the review is positive or not. Here’s a post about what to do if you get a negative Google review.

Claiming Your Business on Google Business

Option 1:
Sign up or log in to Google Business. Search for your business, and select it. Then follow the steps to confirm that you are the owner.

Option 2:
Locate your business listing in Google Maps, and click “Manage this listing.”

Option 3:
Look up the business listing in Google Search and click “Own this business?”

Don’t worry if you can’t fill out the entire Google Business page at first. Once you’ve verified (do this via postal mail or possibly by a phone call.. it depends) that you’re the owner, you can edit your information.

Here is a good FAQ page from Google about Google Business

Here’s a great video from Elegant Themes, on setting up a Google Business page.

Editing-your-Business-on-Google-My-Business

On left, backend of DevineDesign’s Google My Business page.
On right what the public sees when they search for DevineDesign.

Editing your Business on Google Business

When you need to edit your Google Business profile:
• Sign in to Google Business.
• Open the location you want to edit.
• Click “Info” on the menu at the left. Use the tiny pencil icon to make your edits.
• If you want to remove a section, click the X.
• When you’re finished, click “Apply”.

Post Photos… Lots of Photos

When you create your Google Business profile, you can add a logo and cover photo. These help people get to know and recognize your brand. Also, you should post pictures of your office/store interior and exterior, if it’s a public place.

Photos help promote your location, your products/services, and your work. Businesses with images get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their websites. Make sure your photos are in focus, crisp and beautiful. A great picture can make a sale.

Post News, Updates, and Special Offers

Your essential info, like your address, hours, and contact info, should always be up-to-date and accurate. Be sure to edit this information anytime it changes.

You can also create posts to inform customers of updates, new products, offers, and events. These posts keep your profile fresh and encourage visits to your physical or digital store.

In Conclusion

A well-developed and complete Google Business page can bring people to you. But bear in mind, this is NOT a one-and-done project. Every week, you must make a post, add a photo or two with a description, and keep that page FRESH. Make sure you use legal photos. Don’t ever steal them from Google. Here’s a post about acquiring/using legal photos on your website.

If you don’t have time or energy to do this, call on DevineDesign. We create, manage and update many Google Business pages. The initial setup is a modest flat fee which includes adding all your info, your services, photos, logo, cover image, and more. We can then write a post and/or update the page each week to keep your Google Business page looking great, allowing Google to better index and promote your business.

Would you like to discuss this further? Just let us know! Click here to connect.