Google My Business—GMB for short—offers local businesses a variety of ways to establish an online presence. But what exactly is Google My Business and why should you care? Keep reading to learn more about why Google My Business is so important, and how you can take advantage of some of the new features to skyrocket your sales.
Google My Business refers to a group of online tools that helps your business reach a wider audience online. Most people are already familiar with the Google My Business profile. It is one of the first pieces of information they see when they search Google for a local business.
Your Business Profile contains everything your customers need to know about you, including:
And much more—you can even boost your local SEO with social posting!
Let’s be honest, phone books and classified ads are a thing of the past. The Internet is very likely to be the first place a customer turns when they need something—but a business's digital presence is only as solid as the information presented online. You need to ensure your business's hours, location, phone number, and other relevant information are on the internet—and accurate. It goes without saying that if they can't find you, they'll likely find your competitors instead.
The internet has become a valuable consumer tool for information about companies, including customer feedback. In fact, about 85% of customers read online reviews before making a purchasing decision, which means if your reviews are not up to snuff, you might be losing out on potential business. Google My Business makes it easy for businesses to respond to their customer feedback quickly and effectively. It allows potential customers to see what you're all about, and how you make your customers feel heard.
Over the past year, Google My Business has developed new features and tools to address unique challenges faced by local businesses, including:
Additionally, Google is testing out new reporting features, such as letting you know when clients call you through your search results.
Here at REES + STAGER INC, we know how important an online presence is for businesses to succeed. While creating a Google My Business account is free, maintaining it often takes a lot of work—and that’s where we come in! Visit our website to learn more about our digital marketing services, including support with managing and optimizing your Google My Business profile, or contact us to get started today!
