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If you run your own business, chances are, you’re drowning in a million things you need to get done. Every time you get two things done, three more tasks pop up on your to-do list. You might even question why you started a business in the first place. Is it all really worth it? (Yes, it is!)
Operating your own business is hard work. You’ve got to make sure the day-to-day operations are running smoothly, while also trying to bring in more customers to stay afloat.
But did you know that there is a relatively easy way to help people find your business online? Something you can do to bring in more potential customers?
It’s all about optimizing your business name on Google.
There are a few small things you can do to help your business get to the top of search results on Google so more people find you. And who wouldn’t want that?
Even if you don’t feel like you have time to really mess with optimizing your business name on Google, we’re going to show you just how important (and easy) it is.
What Is A Google Business Profile?
The world of digital marketing and online search results is super competitive. Companies need to do everything they can to rise to the top of the pack. To put themselves in the best position to be found by new customers.
If you own a business—no matter how big or small—having a strong online presence is crucial in today’s digital age. And when it comes to online visibility, one platform still reigns supreme—Google. With billions of searches conducted on Google every day, it’s essential to make sure your business stands out against the competition.
One of the best ways to enhance your online presence on Google is by optimizing your Google Business Profile.
A Google Business Profile is a free way to establish your business online through Google. (The Facebook version would be setting up a Facebook page for your business.) It’s kind of like a social media page dedicated to your business and information about what you provide. It makes it easier for new customers to find you and see what you’re all about. (It’s also referred to as Google My Business.)
For example, let’s say you run a gluten-free bakery in San Francisco. If someone searches “gluten-free bakery near me” into Google’s search bar, and they’re in your area, your profile would pop up. It’s all about connecting people and businesses so they can both benefit.
A Google Business Profile allows you to personalize your profile with photos, offers, posts, your hours, and more. A business profile on Google not only allows you to highlight what makes your business unique, but also helps potential customers find you more easily.
But many people don’t realize that there are ways to optimize your Google Business Profile so it’s working even harder for you. By taking the time to optimize your profile, you can significantly increase your chances of being seen by people who are searching for what you have to offer.
Before we show you how to do this, let’s see why it’s so important.
Why Is Optimizing Your Business Profile On Google So Important?
Have you ever Googled a business that you wanted to connect with, called them up and the phone number was wrong? Ugh. Or what about when you drove to the address of a business and it wasn’t there anymore?
These are frustrating experiences. But we know you’re not going to let that happen with your customers!
These two examples are why optimizing your business name matters so much. By keeping your business information current and accurate, you’re giving new customers a much better chance of finding and reaching you.
And it’s totally free to have a Google Business Profile. So why wouldn’t you tap into this tool to reach more people?
Here are five reasons optimizing your business profile on Google is so important.
- Better visibility on Google Search and Maps — When someone searches for a product or service in their area, Google shows them a list of businesses that match their search query. An optimized profile increases your chances of appearing in these local search results. Potential customers will be a lot more likely to find you.
- Accurate, current information — Through your Google Business Profile, you can give people essential details about your business like your address, business hours, contact information, and even photos. By making sure this information is accurate and up-to-date, you also give people more confidence and trust that your business is legitimate. This will make them more likely to choose your business over your competitors.
- More positive reviews — Positive or negative customer reviews can be a game-changer for businesses. Reviews obviously play a big part in influencing people’s purchase decisions. When your Google Business Profile is optimized, it’s easier for satisfied customers to leave positive reviews, helping your business’s reputation.
- Increased traffic — Your Google Business Profile also lets you include a link to your website. By optimizing your profile and encouraging users to visit your website, you can drive more traffic to convert these visitors into paying customers.
- Better understanding of your target audience — Finally, Google Business Profile gives you valuable insights into how users discover and interact with your business. By using Google Analytics and the business dashboards, you can learn more about user’s behavior, search trends and customer preferences. You can then make more data-driven decisions about your business.
Hopefully, by now, you’re sold on the benefits of optimizing your business name on Google. But how do you do it?
Well, with just a few small steps, your Google Business Profile will be fully optimized and people will start being able to find you a lot easier.
How To Optimize Your Google Business Name
It all starts with providing accurate information about your business. These little things matter when it comes to giving people the easiest path to connecting with your business. Remember, the goal here is to create the most accurate and relevant information for potential customers so they can decide if they want to do business with you.
Google lists three simple steps to creating a Business Profile:
- Claim — Create a Business Profile, or manage an existing profile on Search and Maps
- Personalize — Add hours, photos, and other details and get discovered by customers near you
- Manage — Share updates, respond to reviews, and connect with customers on Google
We’re going to dig a little deeper into how to really optimize your Google Business Profile to get results.
Here’s a checklist we created to help you optimize your Google Business Profile.
- Business name — Is it accurate and up to date? Are there any typos in it?
- Physical address — Keep your physical address current. Businesses move locations all the time and old addresses sitting up on Google are really frustrating for users and will reflect poorly on your brand. No one likes to drive somewhere that isn’t there anymore and feel like they have to go on a wild goose chase just to find your business. Most likely, they will just give up on you and pick a competitor to buy from.
- Contact details — Is your phone number up to date? Again, an accurate phone number is crucial to allow customers to get a hold of you quickly and easily. Also, make sure your mailing address, fax number, email or other contact information is correct.
- Business hours — You would be surprised how many businesses do not list their hours of operation on their Google Business Profile. Seeing the hours are important to users so they know when to call or stop by your store.
Just like the other basic business details, make sure your hours are accurate and up to date. Let’s say you change your hours and are now open at 10 a.m. But Google says you open at 9 a.m. People might see that, come to your store at 9 and see that you’re closed. This could be all it takes for them to buy what they need somewhere else.
Also, regularly update your profile to reflect changes like special holiday hours. - Website link — List your company’s website and make sure it works and is accurate. The last thing you want is to be sending people to a website that doesn’t exist or to a link that doesn’t work.
- Categories — Make sure you select the most relevant categories for your business and consider adding secondary categories if they apply.
- Health and safety measures — In the post-Covid world, people are still interested in what businesses are doing to keep their customers safe and healthy. Add any health and safety measures you have to your Google Business Profile so people know what to expect.
- Logo — Have you added your business logo yet to your business profile? If not, now’s the time to do this. Logos are a great way to stand out from the crowd and help people instantly recognize what you’re all about. (And if you don’t have a logo yet, consider getting one made on freelance websites like Fiverr and Upwork. Professional logo designs are very affordable.)
- Photos and cover image — Which photos are part of your business profile? Do they give people a good sense of what to expect? Do they showcase your best products, best menu items and best picture of the front of your store? Take time to add relevant, quality and enticing photos so people will be drawn in. And make sure your cover image accurately reflects how you want to be seen.
- Business attributes — Google Business Profiles also give you the opportunity to add business attributes like Black-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ+ friendly, etc. If these identifiers are important to you or potentially important to your customers, don’t be shy. Add these identifiers to show how you stand out.
- Products and services — You can also include a list of services and products your business offers. You can highlight your product inventory, ordering, bookings, quotes, and more—right on your Google Business Profile. This way potential customers know what you offer as soon as they find you on Google. People can even request a quote from you to compare prices before purchasing.
The above checklist is just some of the basic information you should include in your business profile.
Other Ways To Harness The Power Of A Google Business Profile
Besides keeping your profile information current and accurate, there are other ways you can use your Google Business Profile to grow your business and set yourself up for success.
Connecting With Customers
Your business profile allows you to connect directly with customers! You can do this in a variety of ways. Add posts to your business profile to promote special offers, events, and other updates to keep your customers informed about what you’re doing.
Customers can also message you directly through your profile. And you can pause messaging or create automated messages to save you time. Keep a close eye on any patterns you’re seeing with the types of messages you’re getting, too. If a lot of people are asking about your hours, this is a good time to check and make sure your hours are listed clearly.
Reviews
If you’re in business, you know how important reviews are. Your business profile allows you to reply directly to public customer reviews. This way you can build trust with new and returning customers, show you care and are taking the time to address people’s concerns. Engagement matters when it comes to reviews. Respond to customer reviews right away, even if it’s negative. This shows you value customer feedback.
Answering Questions
A Google Business Profile also lets you answer people’s frequently asked questions. Post answers to people’s questions right on your profile so people don’t have to reach out to you and ask. Another cool feature is that you can even allow customers to answer questions, too.
Tracking Metrics
We touched on this earlier, but your Google Business Profile also allows you to study key metrics about your business and find out how customers are finding you. Figure out what keywords people are searching to find you. This data can inform your content decisions as you continue to tweak your profile. Get insights on calls, reviews, bookings, and more to understand how your business is connecting with customers.
Taking Food Orders
If you’re a restaurant or catering company, you can accept food orders, too. Take orders for delivery and pickup and let customers make reservations. You can even add your menu so people can see all those tasty dishes you offer.
Optimizing Really Does Matter
This stuff really does make a difference. Businesses that are optimized on Google have a competitive edge over businesses that aren’t taking this seriously.
Don’t underestimate the power of Google. Take the necessary steps to optimize your profile and reap the benefits of increased visibility and success.
And if you’re looking for extra support building up your brand or online presence, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Searchific. We partner with companies of all sizes to help them with SEO, content marketing and how to succeed in the digital age.