Introduction
Google Business Profile is a free, easy-to-use tool for managing your online presence across Google. Whether you run a small restaurant, a hotel, a public place, or a large retail electronics center, your Google Business profile plays a vital role in attracting local customers. In this blog, we’ll explore tips and tricks to make your Google Business Profile work for you.
What is Google Business profile?
Your Google Business Profile is a critical online asset that showcases your business to potential customers. It’s a central hub for providing information about your business, verifying your location, and managing your online reputation. To get started, claim ownership of your Google Business location. You can do this by clicking on the profile and following a simple verification process, which may include receiving a code by mail or using other verification methods.
The power of „near me “
People tend to search places near them regardless of you being a small restaurant or apartment, hotel, or a large retail electronics centre. Your Google Business profile will pop up on the top of SERPs just below paid search/shopping content. So, you better have relevant information when users see your profile. Even if you haven’t created your profile, users might have done so on your behalf, making it essential to manage it. I hope you understand now how important it is for you to manage your Google Business profile!
Claim ownership and verify your Google Business location
If you still, haven’t you should claim ownership of your Google Business profile. How to do that? It’s easy. You click on the profile where it says, „Is this your company?” and go through the process where Google sends a code on your physical address (it will come up to 2 weeks from your request). After you receive the code, you go back and put the code in the Google Business profile you’ve claimed ownership. Now you are the owner, and you can edit all the information and accept or reject recommendations from users gaining all the control which is very important.
This is the most common way to verify (it is mandatory for physical business locations) but there are also other methods of verification described by Google which include:
- Phone or text
- Video recording
- Live video call
- Mail (which is described above)
3 most important tips & tricks for getting more customers from Google Business profile
So, what users usually do? They type „restaurants near me “or „apartment Vienna“ and they see a listing of Google Business profiles among which yours will appear. The first thing they notice is your review grade which you should nurture with greatest matter. When users click on your business, there is where you need to attract them so to make that lead into a conversion. So, these are your 3 most important tips & tricks for getting more customers from Google Business profile to transform leads into conversion (customers) easily.
1. Reviews and how to be trustworthy
Firstly, take care that your rating (1-5) is high as possible but trustworthy. Users tend to pick businesses that have a review grade over 4.5 and have positive and negative reviews as well because it gives them the impression that behind a profile are true reviews. Your task is to respond to every single review. Bear in mind that when done properly, you can even turn a bad review into a good one because users can edit their review after your answer. But, the key thing is that answering on reviews boosts your local SEO which will eventually get you more reach on Google Business listing and maps due to user-generated content (UGC) being more and more impactful for your SEO ranking.
How to answer reviews? Be as natural as you can be, give a proper thanks for a good review or ask for feedback for a bad one – take advantage of every single information that users provided.
Also, all new reviews can pop up locally to users using Discover on Google search, so it is of use to you to receive reviews. You can boost them by putting a simple QR code in your physical location on a visible place and ask customers to put a review. Your Google Business profile has a shareable link for “Ask for review” as well so be sure to take advantage of it by asking customers to leave a review after they visited your business, include it in your e-mail, website, and any other possible placement.
2. Provide valuable information that will take action
Business hours, contact information, services, etc. are important and provide all the possible information that Google Business offers. Bear in mind that it would be great to have a website because in mobile view listing website alongside telephone number and directions is the first thing that pops out as a feature to users.
Questions & Answers are one important factor that could make users act. Be sure to provide quick answer as soon as users leave questions. There you have to possibility to quickly swift users to a chat environment in which they are far more relaxed. So, ask them to continue your conversation on WhatsApp and Viber in which you can easily share more information and meaningful information that will drive from a simple question to a customer.
Try to communicate that users can send messages directly on WhatsApp and Viber or any other popular communication platform in your Information section.
3. Make use of 3P – Photos, Products and Posts
The bathroom of your apartment looks remarkable? Your pizza looks stunning? You have a stand-up event coming up this weekend? Be sure to put all that information on your Google Business profile because locals will be wanting to see all additional information that differs you from other businesses.
All of this you can upload easily. Google loves videos so make sure you make a tour of your apartment or restaurant with a video and publish it. A video of a meal? Why not, you can do that as well.
Conclusion
To take advantage of your Google Business profile you need to update regularly and monitor all activities. There is a short span in which you attract customers and turn leads into conversions. By following and applying all 3 Tips & Tricks to get customers on Google Business you will be soon getting more and more customers from your profile.
Just as you take care of your physical business’s appearance and service quality, don’t neglect your Google Business profile, as it often serves as a prospective customer’s first touchpoint in their decision-making process.
This article is written by Domagoj who is a digital marketing specialist helping brands make their digital strategy. If your business has a Google Business profile and you aim to make the most of it for customer acquisition, this blog is tailored to your needs.
