Technology has taken over the communication and business world, bringing the world into a global village. Thus, it is essential for businesses to establish a strong online presence.
Though there are various ways of establishing an online presence, Google Business Profile (GBP) is effective, reliable, and affordable. A Google Business Profile is one effective tool that can dramatically increase visibility and draw potential clients.
Therefore, utilizing the potential of a Google Business Profile has become crucial for small businesses because Google is the most commonly utilized search engine worldwide.
In this article, we’ll examine Google Business Profiles’ importance and how they can help small businesses increase their online visibility.
Table of Contents
What is a Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free online business listing that offers vital details about a company on Google Maps and the Google search engine.
Customers can use it as a virtual storefront to gain access to useful business information such as the company name, address, phone number, website, and business hours. It also includes essential business information such as customer reviews, images, and videos.
It is a crucial tool for small businesses looking to increase their visibility and market reach because it is prominently displayed in local search results.
Why your business should be on Google Business Profile
Ensuring that your business is listed in GBP will benefit your business in the following ways:
Increasing local search visibility
Google Business Profiles are essential for improving a small business’s local search results visibility. Google presents consumers with a list of nearby businesses that are relevant to their search for a certain good or service known as the “Local Pack.”
A well-optimized Google Business Profile enhances the likelihood that the company will show up in this highly prominent section, resulting in a boost in organic traffic.
A company profile makes it simple for potential customers to identify and interact with the business by offering accurate and recent information including contact information, business hours, and customer reviews.
Establishing trust and credibility
A Google Business Profile aids in establishing trust and credibility in a time when consumers frequently conduct online research before making purchases. Businesses can display important details on their profiles, including a description of their operation, pictures, and client testimonials. As social evidence, positive testimonials from pleased clients encourage new clients to choose the company over rivals.
A well-kept profile also conveys professionalism and shows that the company prioritizes transparency, which improves confidence among the target audience.
Increases customers‘ engagement
Google Business Profiles features reviews, questions and answers, and messaging. These enable direct connections between businesses and customers. Reviews from customers offer insightful commentary that enables firms to assess their performance and make required adjustments.
It demonstrates that a company values its customers’ opinions and is actively involved in resolving complaints or expressing thanks when it responds to reviews, whether they are favorable or not.
Additionally, the Q&A function enables companies to respond to client questions promptly, encouraging accessibility and careful customer service.
Increasing Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
A Google Business Profile substantially aids in the SEO efforts of small businesses. Businesses increase their chances of showing up in local search results by providing accurate and consistent information across the profile, such as the business name, address, and phone number (NAP).
When evaluating local businesses, Google also takes into account elements like proximity, relevancy, and prominence. The likelihood of ranking higher in search results and bringing in more organic traffic and possible customers is increased.
This can be enhanced by optimizing the profile with pertinent keywords, appealing descriptions, and high-quality photographs.
Showcasing business information and features
Google Business Profiles offer a range of features that enable small businesses to showcase their distinctive offerings and stand out from the competition.
Businesses can add photos and videos of their products, and virtual tours of their services. This gives prospective customers a glimpse into their facilities, products, or services.
Special attributes, such as wheelchair accessibility, Wi-Fi availability, or outdoor seating can be highlighted to cater to particular customer needs.
With the above benefits, establishing and maintaining an optimized Google Business Profile should be every small business’s utmost strategy.
How would you create an optimized GBP, we shall discuss this in the next sections beginning with how to register.
How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
In this section, we shall discuss the steps you’ll take to register, complete your business information and optimize your account.
Register for Google Business Profile
To register for GBP, do the following:
- Ensure that you have a Google account. If you do not have an account, Create one for yourself or your business.
- If you already have a Google account, Log in to your Google account.
- As you are logged in to your Google account, visit the URL: https://business.google.com/create
- On the business profile registration page, select Add your business to Google link.
- On the page that appears, enter your business name in the appropriate text box, and select the business category. Click the Next button to continue.
- Continue until you have completed all the essential information required, including location, region, phone number, etc.
- Remember to enter a physical location address so Google can verify your business. This is a very important part of GBP since it targets local visibility. Note that: if your business is not verified, the public cannot see your business information on Google search results.
Verify your business
If you have not verified your business, follow these steps:
- Login to your Google account.
- On the top right corner of your account, select the Google Apps icon.
- From the dropdown menu, select Business Profile Manager.
- On the window that appears, select the Get Verified button.
- On the page that appears, fill in your address, if you did not do so earlier while completing your business info. Click Next when done.
- On the page that appears, select your preferred means of verification. You must choose from the available options provided for you.
Note: There are different verification methods you can choose from including text or phone, email, video recording, and postcard. If you choose a postcard, Google will send the code via a postcard to your registered physical address.
- Enter the code sent to you via your method of verification and click on the Verify button.
- If all goes well, your business will be verified.
After your business is verified, your profile can become public. This means that your business information can now show on Google Search Result pages. So, you can go ahead and complete your business description, add pictures and videos as well as optimize your content.
In our next post, we shall look at how to optimize your GBP content to rank in Google for local searches.
Conclusion
Google Business Profile is an effective tool for small businesses in the modern digital era to build a strong online presence. It helps businesses to draw in local clients and maintain competitiveness.
It also provides improved consumer engagement, elevated visibility, increased credibility, priceless insights, and mobile optimization. Small businesses may effectively engage with their target audience, promote growth, and prosper in the constantly changing digital market.
Devoting time and effort to building and maintaining a Google Business profile can be extremely beneficial to your business. Adopting this crucial tool can be a game-changer, opening up new possibilities and laying the foundation for long-term success.
Haven understood this, what are you waiting for, start building your business profile today. We can help you register, verify and optimize your profile at an affordable cost, simply contact us today.
Do you have a problem getting verification from Google for your business? We can help you resolve this problem. What else do you think we can talk to us about? Connect with us or use the comment box below.