Google Business Profile: Standing Out on Google

Back when Google Business Profile was known as Google My Business, Propeller published an article on how businesses can stand out using this tool. Five years on, with a new name, Google Business Profile remains an important tool to optimise a businesses’ online presence. 

With over 86% of the search market share, one hardly needs to introduce readers to Google. Having a strong Google listing is the perfect place to showcase what a businesses’ unique selling points.

Google Business Profile allows people who find a business on Google Search and Maps into new customers. With a completely free Business Profile for your storefront or service area, business owners can personalise their profile with photos, offers, posts, and more.

• Free

it‘s free to create your Business Profile on Google. Create your profile at no cost, and you can manage your business from Google Search and Maps to start reaching more customers.

• Easy to use

Google Business Profile is an easy-to-use tool for businesses and organisations to manage their online presence across Google. To help customers find your business, you can verify your business and edit your business information. 

• Personalised

Business owners can manage the information that customers find when they search for businesses or the products and services offered. When people find a business on Google Maps and Search, they can then find further information like the operating hours, website and street address.

• Understand how customers are finding you

With a business profile, owners can discover what keywords people search to find them, and get insights on calls, reviews, bookings and more.

• Connect with customers

Update customers with the latest via posts, offers, direct messaging and more. You can also engage with your customers by responding to their reviews.

Getting started has never been easier, it will leave you wondering why it took you so long to activate your profile in the first place.

1. Go to google.com/business and click ‘Manage now’.
2. Sign in to your Google Account, or create one if you don’t already use Google services.
3. Enter the name of your business and click Next.

Note: You can also select your business from the suggestions that appear as you type.

4. Enter the address of your business and click Next. You may also be asked to position a marker on the location of your business on a map.
5. a) If you manage a service-area business, follow these additional steps:Tick the box for I deliver goods and services to my customers. Optionally, tick the box for Hide my address (it’s not a store) Only show region –.
6. b) Click Next.
7. c) Select a delivery area option and click Next.
8. Search for and select a business category and click Next.
9. Enter a phone number or website URL for your business.
10. To complete sign-up, verify your connection to this business by clicking Continue.
11. Select a verification option.
12. a) To verify at another time, select Try a different method and click Later. If you’re not authorised to manage the business, find the person in your organisation who’s authorised and continue the process.

For a more in-depth guide on signing up and verifying your business, scroll down the Google Business Profile page to learn more.

There’s never too much information 

As well as basics like your business name and address, your Business Profile is a great place to share photos of your shopfront, include your business logo, your store’s opening hours and a phone number or email address, so potential customers know how to contact you. By providing these details, you can ensure that potential customers are able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.

Encourage reviews

88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Reviews are therefore an incredibly powerful marketing tool. Each Google Business Profile prominently displays a star rating out of five, as well as customer reviews. This feedback helps customers choose a business. It also helps business owners understand the strengths and weaknesses of their company. 

Post regular content

Google Business Profile enables business owners to go beyond sharing basic facts about a business. Posting regular content to update customers on menu changes, special offers and upcoming events is a great way to maintain a buzz around your business. These updates appear directly within the profile and provide additional content that may be of interest to users, such as:

• updated images
• up to 300 words of text
• a call-to-action with a link

When potential customers search using relevant keywords on Google, posts from your business will be visible to customers below the key information in your Business Profile.

When people use Google search, they want the right information delivered as quickly as possible. The business profile allows businesses to provide everything users need in a unique and attractive package. Once the profile has been claimed, verify it and fill out the business’ information. This is an incredibly valuable tool for connecting with existing and potential customers—and, ultimately, growing your business.

Google Business Profile is an essential tool for any business, regardless of industry. It is a great tool that enables customers to learn more about a business before they decide to invest in its products or services. 

It is therefore integral that business owners optimise their Google My Business profile and showcase what makes their business unique.

Identify the true view of your brand’s digital presence with a more holistic strategic approach that encompasses multi-channel audits, analytics, and smart solutions that can result in better rankings and a clear picture of performance and data to guide your marketing decisions.