Do you know Google My Business and how it can benefit your business? If you want to have more visibility in local search results, you might be interested in this tool. We explain what it is, the benefits of GMB and the upcoming changes planned in this post.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a Google tool created to help companies manage their online presence. Profiles of companies that have created a Google My Business 99 acres phone number data account appear on Maps and in search results , so it is an opportunity to stand out and gain visibility.
Its operation is simple. A user searches for restaurants, for example, and through geolocation , Google will show them those that are in the vicinity of where they are physically located. Through Google Maps, the user can see nearby results, as well as information about the business, opinions from other customers, photographs, schedules, etc.
Local SEO positioning
What is Google My Business for?
The aim of this platform is to help businesses appear in the top positions, although this function is not the only one. Among its main uses we find:
Display and respond to customer reviews. Google reviews build trust and help convince potential customers. Did you know that 85% of users read Google My Business reviews before making a purchase decision?
Facilitate contact with your customers. The tool allows users to contact you via chat, call you and/or get directions to your address.
It acts as a social network for businesses. As an administrator, you can post content, photos and videos. At the same time, it is a social network for users as it gives them the opportunity to easily connect, contact and communicate with businesses.
Google My Business what is it for
Advantages of using GMB
You've probably wondered if this tool can benefit your business. Well, considering that its main purpose is to help you reach more users and convert them into customers, these are the main advantages for your company:
Easily manage your company information.
It is important that your profile is updated and optimized with descriptions that include your keywords to achieve better organic positioning, the services or products you offer, location, hours, website and everything that adds value to users.
Gain more visibility in Google searches, especially at a local level.
Using this tool will improve your local positioning and increase the chances of conversion.
Convey credibility and a professional image.
Having a complete Google My Business listing and responding to customer reviews (both positive and negative) will show the “human” side of the brand. This will create a serious and professional image that can be trusted.
Direct contact with your customers and the possibility of interacting with them.
Users highly value the ease of contacting companies. Show that you care about them and you will gain their trust.
Analyze performance and statistics to improve your strategy and optimize results.
The tool itself allows you to analyze how your company profile is performing in the search engine: how many phone calls it has received, searches and queries made to find your business, requests for information, clicks to the website, etc.
, benefits of google my business
The name change to Google Business Profile
As Google has announced, GMB will be replaced by the Google Maps and Search app, becoming Google Business Profile . This change, scheduled for July 2022* , will mean that your profile will be managed directly from Google Maps and Search. Update: it is now operational.
In fact, this is not the first name change it has undergone; first it was Google Local Business Center, in 2010 Google Places, which became Google+ Local in 2011, and then it became Google My Business in 2014.
But don't worry, the rebranding won't delete your profile or affect your positioning. The goal of the change is to simplify management, you just need to familiarize yourself with the new application.
SEO positioning
Conclusion
As we can see, one of the tools that offers the most advantages regarding local SEO is Google My Business. Having an optimized company profile and working on local SEO positioning will help Google show you in the first results, thus increasing the chances of gaining more customers.
Although it was initially designed for businesses with a physical store, you can also use it if you offer services or do not have a physical location. Our recommendation is that if you want to gain online presence, you should have a company profile on Google. Take advantage of this free tool and all its potential to get closer to your audience, stand out and be more competitive in your sector.