SEO/ Local SEO
Google My Business, now updated to Google Business Profile
Unlock the Power of Google Business Profile: Your Gateway to Visibility and Credibility
Google Business Profile, formerly Google My Business, is an essential tool for business owners aiming to enhance their presence on Google Search and Maps. This powerful feature not only increases visibility but also helps in gaining credibility with customer reviews and managing your business information effectively. In this guide, we will explore the reasons to maintain a Google Business Profile, how to set it up, optimize it, and answer some frequently asked questions. Let’s start by understanding the fundamentals of Google Business Profile.
What's the Scoop on Google My Business? Unveiling the Essentials of Google Business Profile!
Google Business Profile (GBP) is a versatile, free tool that enhances your business’s presence on Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping. It offers a platform to engage with customers directly, share updates, and showcase your products or services, helping to boost visibility and interaction.
Here’s what GBP looks like:
Even without a physical storefront, you can still maintain a Google Business Profile. This is particularly useful for service-based businesses like plumbers, who primarily interact with customers at their locations. This profile allows you to manage and enhance your business’s online presence effectively.
Is Google Business Profile Free?
It’s 100% free to create and manage your Google Business Profile.
And you can get a lot out of it without paying a cent.
What Are the Benefits of Google My Business?
- Increased Visibility on Google: Enhance your presence on Google Search and Maps, making it easier for customers to find you.
- Gained Credibility with Reviews: Collect and showcase customer reviews to build trust and authority.
- Efficient Information Sharing: Provide essential business details directly to your customers.
Increase Visibility on Google
Maintaining a Google Business Profile significantly increases your visibility on Google. When customers search for products or services you offer, your optimized profile helps ensure your business appears prominently in the search results on Google Search and Maps. This enhanced visibility is crucial for attracting new customers and growing your business.
Here’s what it looks like:
The “local pack” feature on Google appears for searches tied to specific locations or queries indicating location interest, like “restaurants near me.” It showcases results from Google Maps along with relevant business information, enhancing visibility for local businesses directly in search results.
Businesses with well-optimized Google Business Profiles are more likely to be featured in location-specific search results, known as the “local pack.” The importance of mobile searches, including terms like “where to buy” and “near me,” has surged over 200% recently, reflecting a rise in “discovery searches.” Users conducting these searches are not looking for a specific brand but rather for options within a category, such as “restaurant.” Thus, if a user is near your location and searches for a general category, a well-optimized profile increases the likelihood of your business appearing in these geolocated results. More optimization tips will follow.
Elevate Your Reputation with Stellar Reviews
98% of users read online reviews for local businesses.
The star rating visible next to business names on Google Maps, which ranges from 1 to 5, reflects the cumulative impact of customer reviews. This rating provides a quick visual indicator of a business’s reputation based on user feedback.
Here’s what GBP looks like: