What is Google Business Profile?
Ready to take control of your local online presence? Look no further than Google Business Profile (GBP)! It's not a daunting throne room or a challenging medieval quest, but it holds the key to unlocking a treasure chest of potential customers searching for businesses like yours.
This is chapter 2 of your 5-part series on making your service-based business visible to all! Make sure to check out the previous chapters if you just arrived here.
Chapter 1: Claim Your Digital Throne: Google Business Profile
Chapter 2: What is Google Business Profile?
Chapter 3: Speak the Language of Google (SEO)
Chapter 4: Freshness is Key: Keeping Your Website Lively
Chapter 5: Beyond Keywords: Unlocking Google's Secret Garden
OPTIMIZE FOR
SEARCH:
GET FOUND BY YOUR IDEAL CLIENTS
Unleash the power of search engine optimization (SEO) and attract more clients to your business. Discover expert strategies to optimize for Google search results.
How people find your local service business
Google Business Profile
You operate a service-based business. Many of you may also offer your services in your local region. If so, you are a local service business.
How do people find you online?
They open Google and search your industry or skill
“Painter near me”
They open Google Maps and do the same
What do they find? Your Google Business Profile!
Let’s Look at an example
Look at the screenshot above. It is from my phone today as I was looking for a UPS shop. What are the first things you see?
Rating (customer reviews)
Category (primary category)
Opening hours
Distance
Photos (if any have been posted; both company posted and those by a customer)
Map (of course, this is a Google Maps search)
If any of the information there is wrong it is going to make me upset. And that happens often!
Does your business have a Google Business Profile?
Unclaimed profile
You might not know and have never claimed your profile but it is there. You can always check by looking up the business on Google or Google Maps. Go to the “about” section and if it says “claim this business” no one has ever claimed the business.
What that means to a business I cover down below in the section “Very Important!”
Over 58% of local businesses have not claimed their profiles
Google adds profiles automatically when they scan the internet for websites and their information. Additionally, other people can create entries as well but no fear you can claim your profile and manage it for yourself.
Over the years I have added probably 20 or so Google entries for businesses I have run across where Google had not created it. It is straightforward but you need to manage your profile.
I even closed a business’s Google profile today as well. They are no longer in business but showed as open.
I have a website. Do I need a Google Profile?
This is a little different than the title above but felt it was important to share.
I was working with a photographer who told me she was on Instagram and was happy and didn’t feel she needed a website.
I said great! Stay happy.
I know that over time the relevance of that person on Instagram will wither as all social networks have their seasons. Having a website is yours to manage, and a key method of communicating to interested clients. Getting found on the web is different than an algorithm on social media.
So, the answer is Yes.
The Google Business Profile is an extension of your website, both are important, especially as a service-based business where ‘search’ plays a large role in your business being contacted. Just imagine you want to install new windows on your house. Who will you contact? Possibly this might start with a Google search.
Just imagine you are that window installer business. Your company name is shining at the top of Google Search and Maps, attracting the customer like a guiding beacon in the digital world.
Sounds pretty awesome, right?
What is a Google Profile?
Google search for wedding photographer New Orleans (click to enlarge)
Think of GBP as your very own free, personalized online profile on Google, where you can showcase your business to the world. It's like a digital storefront that displays your contact details, stunning photos, glowing reviews, and even a link to your website – all in one convenient location. It's like having your online business card on overdrive!
In the screengrab above I searched for ‘wedding photographer New Orleans’. The Google search returned a list of matches and I chose one. This is what any potential customer will do when searching for your skill. Once I clicked on one of the entries, it opened the GBP for that entry instead of taking me to the website.
You immediately see different pieces of information like pictures, the services offered, a call button, and customer reviews. Are you getting an understanding of why GBP might be important and helpful for your business?
Why is GBP Important?
When someone searches for the "best photographer near me," wouldn't it be amazing if your photography studio was the first beautiful option they saw? A complete and optimized GBP acts like a flashing arrow, guiding potential customers to your doorstep. And that's not all – a high ranking and positive reviews also build trust, establishing you as the local champion of credibility.
Over 90% of all searches happen on Google
Very Important!
I see one fatal mistake made when a business claims its Google Business Profile. Usually, it is not the business owner claiming the profile but a family member, a friend, or an employee doing this.
The other way is the business owner wants to hide from Google and uses a dummy email address to claim their profile. BOTH ARE BAD IDEAS!
Google sends updates and notifications regarding the business’ profile. Some are regular updates from Google including how many people have seen their profile and clicked through to the website.
Google sends email notifications to the address that claimed the profile
However, the most important notification Google will send is when a customer or client makes an update to your profile. This might be a review left by a client, a question asked, or a photo uploaded. Google will send a notification via email to the address used to claim the profile. So, those updates are being sent to your friend, employee, or family member, and you never see them….FIX IT!
You must reply to all reviews left on your profile - the good and the less-than-good. Those replies should be within 24 hours as well. I have an upcoming series of articles on “improving your online reputation.” One whole article will focus on replying to customer reviews.
Claiming Your Digital Domain
(click to enlarge)
Discovering your GBP is a breeze – no magical maps or quests are required! Just head over to Google and search for "Google My Business" or go to https://www.google.com/business/ If you don’t find your business already there with a profile you can create a new listing (if someone else has already staked their claim, no worries, you can reclaim it!).
Once inside, fill out your profile with all the juicy details, ensuring everything is accurate and up-to-date. Consistency is key – use the same name and address across all platforms!
"I WANT MORE SERVICE-BASED COMPANIES TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITH THEIR ONLINE ACTIVITIES!"
Optimizing Your Online Oasis
Think of optimizing your GBP as decorating your virtual haven to attract visitors. Sprinkle relevant keywords throughout your description, like adding spices to a delicious recipe.
Respond to reviews, both positive and negative, like a friendly host welcoming feedback. Encourage customers to leave their thoughts, as positive reviews are like digital gold! If applicable, explore features like service menus, booking options, and messaging – they're like handy tools that make your customers' lives easier and happier.
I will cover more on making the most out of your GBP in a later chapter.
Ready to Rule Your Local Search Scene?
Seize the opportunity and claim your GBP to witness your business flourish! This is just the beginning of your SEO adventure. We have more chapters packed with tips and tricks to help you conquer the digital landscape and reign supreme.
In the meantime, download my free GBP Checklist for essential steps to get you started, or schedule a consultation with an SEO wizard for personalized guidance. The crown awaits, intrepid business owner! Now go forth with confidence and conquer!
Additional Resources
Claim or manage your Google Business Profile: https://www.google.com/business/: https://www.google.com/business/
Free GBP Checklist: Download GBP Checklist
Download my free guide 5 Digital Marketing Mistakes Service-Based Businesses Make which also includes how to avoid them.
Schedule a Consultation: Contact me now
TL;DR
The Google Business Profile (GBP) is a powerful tool for local businesses to enhance their online presence.
It acts as a digital storefront, displaying contact details, photos, reviews, and more.
Optimizing your GBP can attract customers, build trust, and establish credibility.
Claiming and managing your profile is easy, and consistency is key.
Sprinkle relevant keywords, respond to reviews, and explore features like service menus.
Download the free GBP checklist or schedule a consultation to get started.
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