Let’s be honest, most people have heard about Google My Business but just as many are unfamiliar with the benefits of this free tool. It’s true, in spite of the fact that most customers are using this feature to compare search results, many businesses are yet to list their services on Google My Business.
But what does this even mean and what is Google My Business exactly?
Well, local search results are now mostly dependent on Google My Business (GMB), which also determines the visibility of a business on Google Maps. In other words, without availing of this feature, your business is likely missing out on potential traffic, leads, and new customers.
What is Google My Business and Why Should You Care?
Google My Business enables you to set up a business listing which is then integrated on Google Search. With this in mind, your GMB listing will decide what details and information will be displayed such as the hours, location, photographs and reviews for the business.
But what’s so important about GMB?
Google My Business is very influential for search engine optimization (SEO). In other words, your listing will often determine how the business is ranking for search queries. What’s more, this feature can answer frequently asked questions, while the dashboard offers valuable insights about your target market. As if that’s not enough, your business can publish posts on GMB which are then highlighted next to regular search results on Google.
And that’s just part of the story…
Establishing Authority and Customer Reviews on Google My Business
You see, the importance of customer reviews is sometimes lost on business owners. Aside from the fact that this is an opportunity to respond to customers, these are also testimonials and signs of authority. On the other hand, you should also know that Google uses this information for search rankings. For example, local search queries rely heavily on the knowledge panel to pick out the most relevant results.
Now, in case you might be asking yourself, this information is displayed in the “Knowledge Panel”, which you might recognize as that fancy box which sometimes appears in the search results on Google.
Either way, you can rest assured that this business listing looks nice, stands out from the competition and offers nothing but valuable information to the end user.
The Importance of Getting Started on Google My Business
As for registering a business on Google My Business, this is a very simply process which takes little more than ten minutes. After creating an account, you simply enter the most useful information about the business and then proceed to a quick verification check in which Google will validate your new listing.
Google My Business is easy to set up and a great way to reach potential customers. Meanwhile, the review system can nurture relationships with existing customers and establish authority in a sea of search results. With this in mind, many businesses are yet to list their services but the truth is, there are many benefits and positive outcomes associated with this incredibly powerful tool.