Optimize Your Business for Local Searches with Google My Business
A Google My Business profile can increase the chances of ranking in the local search results and help maintain your brand image.
If you want to be found via your local Internet search, you need Google My Business. Basically, Google My Business is nothing more than an interactive business directory. The user receives the most important information about a company or business at a glance, for example, the location, opening times, or photos. And if you are wondering what Google My Business should cost: Nothing! So there are no disadvantages with Google My Business – a profile is mandatory for small and medium-sized companies in Nigeria!
Google My Business functions at a glance:
Dashboard: The dashboard is the user interface that gives you an overview of your profile and the other Google My Business functions.
Statistics: It is important for companies to know how many visitors have visited their own profile, how often the company website has been clicked from the Google My Business profile or via which Google functions the visitors to Google My -Business profile have been reached. Important conclusions can be drawn from the figures and instructions for action can be derived with which the profile can be further optimized.
Ratings: Here you can see all ratings in the star system that users have given about your company. These ratings also appear in Google search. You also have the option of commenting on the ratings you have given in your Google My Business profile.
Photos: Photos should not be missing for a successful company presence on the Internet. Whether outside pictures of the store or team pictures – photos make your profile more lively and personal. Even a virtual 360 ° tour is possible. A wide Google My Business background image and a smaller profile photo, for example the company logo, give visitors to the site a good first impression.
Support: In this area, Google My Business offers help on general questions about the tool itself or on individual functions. Anyone who has problems with confirming their company’s location can also get advice over the phone using the callback service.
How do I register a company with Google My Business?
Signing up to Google My Business is free and only takes a few minutes. It takes just a few steps via the Google My Business start page.
- First, the address data is entered into the search mask. If you already have a Google+ account with your company, you will receive a message that the company can be found at the address given. If this is not the case, you must first create a Google+ profile for your company.
- Once Google has found your company, you have to confirm with a click of the mouse that you are authorized to take over the Google My Business entry and manage the company profile.
- You will then need to choose which way you would like to receive your Google verification code. However, there is also the option of clicking on “Confirm later” and continuing with the creation of the profile.
Optimize Google ranking with Google My Business
Whether you run a flower shop, a small café, or a blog, marketing service provider – you want to be found on the Internet. Those who regularly maintain their Google My Business profile can improve their Google ranking in the long term. Based on the data available on the Internet about your company, Google checks how relevant your company is. It is important that the spelling of your company name is always identical, as is of course the contact details. You should also make sure that the images are up to date. 360 ° tours through your premises are particularly attractive for visitors. Overall, a free Google My Business profile is the perfect chance for you and your company to be more discoverable on the internet.
The advantages of a Google My Business profile summarized:
- Google My Business is free.
- The user receives all the information he is looking for about your company at a glance.
- Companies with a Google My Business profile are better recognized in Google Maps and in the local search results.
- The chances of a good ranking increase.
- There are good controlling options thanks to the individual statistics.
- The Google+ profile is created automatically and represents an additional presence platform for your company.
- Positive reviews maintain your good image.
- Google My Business can be synchronized on all end devices, there is also a My Business app.
Frequently asked questions about Google My Business
What is Google My Business and why should I use it?
With a company profile on Google, you can present your company at the right moment – namely when potential customers search for your company directly in Google Search or Google Maps or for products and services that you also offer. In your Google My Business account, including your address, phone number, website, and hours of operation so more people can find you and contact your company. It’s best to post the latest photos, special offers, and promotions on your profile to convince users of your company.
How important is it to optimize the Google My Business profile?
Google My Business offers you the opportunity to target potential customers and arouse their interest when they search for your company or the products and services that you offer on Google, Your company profile will then be displayed in Google Search and Google Maps.
You can reply to reviews, post product photos, or special offers and always edit and add to your company information. With the help of the analyzes that Google provides you, the interaction options for customers can be optimized and thus better results achieved.
You can also interact directly with your users on the “Customers” tab, thereby strengthening the bond with your customer base.
What is a Google My Business profile?
Ideally, you should also post the latest photos, special offers, and promotions on your profile to convince users of your company.
How can I reach more users with Google My Business?
You can reply to reviews, post product photos or special offers and always edit and add to your company information.
Does Google My Business make sense if I already have a website?
You can also set a link to your website from your company profile.
How can I analyze the success of my Google My Business profile?
How much does Google My Business cost?
How important review on Google My Business?
I have some fake reviews of my business on my Google My Business listing.
How can I have it removed?
If the review is against Google’s terms and conditions and it is truly fake reviews, you should respond politely to them first. You can report reviews to Google that you think to violate Google’s guidelines and should be deleted. The relevant review will be checked and possibly removed from your listing.
What are Google My Business Questions & Answers
Why do I need to verify my company on Google My Business?
How do I confirm my company?
Complete all Google My Business profile information
Basically, you should fill out your Google My Business profile carefully and completely. Many companies only fill out their profiles incompletely and thus miss the chance of a good ranking in local search results. If you fill out all the details carefully, your offer will have valuable basic data that will make it easier for potential customers to find more relevant information about your company.
If you don’t fill out this information, someone else could. Many business owners don’t realize that anyone can suggest a change to their business listing – and that includes your competitors, of course. These user-generated changes can be made live in your listing without you even being notified.
This is just one reason why it is very important that you log into your Google My Business dashboard regularly to ensure that no one has made unwanted changes to your listing.