Google Business Profile, formerly called “Google My Business”, is another aspect of Google’s dominance in the indexing and search query games that cannot be ignored. Setting up, verifying, and maintaining a Google Business Profile, stands alone as the simplest and most significant single step a business can take towards establishing their presence in a way that can make an immediate difference in online visibility. If you’re on a tight budget or not ready to invest in the bigger strategies such as SEO or a website overhaul, establishing your Google Business Profile and committing to maintaining it is the way to go!
What is it? Simply put, a verified Google Business Profile is Google’s way of both verifying that your business is legitimate and to confirm relevant details so that users searching for the services and products you offer are getting accurate information. Google wants those users to be grateful for putting your business in front of their eyes. With a verified Google Business Profile you can manage how your local business shows up across Google products, like Google Maps and Google Search, the two undisputed reigning champs in both map services and search engines. If your business serves people locally within a designated service area, a verified Google Business Profile is the key to being found on the Google Maps and Google Search. Additionally, verified businesses on Google are twice as likely to be seen as trusted and reputable.
I don’t know about you, but the Google Maps app is one of the most used and helpful apps on my phone. Google Maps provides the power of Google Search, but in the context of a maps app for navigation and commuting. Whether finding a new haunt here in New York City or navigating a road trip along the East Coast and finding gas, restaurants, and stores along the way, the Google Maps app is my go-to. In fact, it’s the go-to for the majority of people trying to get their traveling, shopping, grocery, entertainment, and service needs met in their local area. That means a majority of people are deciding where to spend their time and their money according to the top results in Google Maps. Having a verified and well-maintained Google Business Profile is key to both appearing in the Google Maps app, but also in the top-ranked spots for Google Search, including the Google Map Pack we discussed on the SEO page. And, since so many people skip a search engine and simply use the Google Maps app as a default search engine when looking for businesses, if you don’t have your Google Business Profile set up and maintained properly, thus making you visible on Google Maps, you’re not taking advantage of the low hanging fruit growing on the money tree right in your backyard.
When it comes to discussing best business practicesin relation to such broad topics like Search Engine Optimization, Website Design, Social Media, and Targeted Ads, it might seem a little out-of-place to discuss a subset a single company’s many services. However, Google Maps stands in a category of it’s own. Google has a virtual monopoly on both search queries and navigation through Google Search and Google Maps. Thus, establishing a Google Business Profile and making sure it’s complete and maintained so that it consistently shows up in Google Maps for relevant “___ near me” searches is critical for any business trying to maximize it’s draw of customers already within reach.
Imagine someone is trying to install those nifty “floating” shelves they bought on Etsy, or complete any other home improvement project and they hit a snag, realizing they don’t have the tools they need, but the kids are going to be home for dinner in 4 hours. They need a solution. Fast. Their best bet is going to be the quickest and most convenient. They’re likely to go to google maps and search “hardware store” and select the one that’s closest, has verified hours on a Sunday. On the other side of this equation, hardware store that wants that person’s business cannot even begin to show up as a possible solution unless it has claimed and verified its Google Business Profile. And that’s just the first step GBP needs to be maintained and in good standing by keeping and maintaining accurate store hours, receiving good reviews, posting regularly, posting good photos, and answering questions regularly on their GBP to name just a few of the actions that help establish a GBP as worth of being at the top of Google Maps searches and general Google Search queries for local products and services.
We know what it takes to make sure your business stands out as a beacon for those last minute home-improvement snafus, late-night taco and margarita cravings, or chiropractic after-care following those home-improvement ventures. If you make sure your business is easily seen via a Google Business Profile and it’s optimized to appear as a top result on Google Maps, you will drive more people to your business. Contact us for a a free, no-commitment assessment of your website and find out what the crucial, but also minimal, step of establishing or claiming your Google Business Profile can do for you.