We have covered a lot about the benefits of social media and having a strong presence online. While social media marketing is very important, sometimes location owners forget about some of the more basic aspects of digital marketing. One of the most easily overlooked tools is Google My Business.
Google My Business is an incredibly useful tool for all businesses! Google My Business allows you to list your business directly on Google and control what basic information people can see when they search for your brand. This includes everything from business hours to your address and phone number!
It should be inherently clear about why this information needs to be displayed online. If a potential customer is searching for your business, they must already be interested in coming in to visit in person. So why not make that journey even easier for them by making sure your basic information is readily available?
Not only does creating a Google My Business account let you add basic information to your Google search results, but it also increases your chances to appear in Google Map searches! When potential customers search for “restaurant nearby,” don’t you want to be one of the first results on the page? Having an active Google My Business account also enables you to manage the reviews that customers may leave for your business. We’ve written before about the importance of promoting positive reviews in your location, and how customer reviews increase the credibility of your business in customers’ eyes.
Google My Business also allows you to create short posts related to your business that will appear in your search listing. Have a change of hours and want customers to know? Make an update post to catch their attention! Keep your customers informed about any new changes to your hours of operation and make sure they know when you're open!
Did we mention that creating a Google My Business account is completely free? That’s right, anyone with an active email address can start setting up their Google My Business account immediately – and the sign-up process is beginner-friendly.
Are you a Google My Business user? Let us know about your experiences in the comments below!
