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How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Taylor Tunnison • January 6, 2022

There are many ways to promote a company online. For example, accessible resources like social media platforms easily connect diverse audiences with their favorite brands. This is important because the average American spends over 7 hours online each day. Businesses which meet customers online are better positioned to benefit from this fact. Another useful tool is a Google Business Profile, which helps consumers find companies on the popular search engine. It’s a major component of any good SEO strategy, and it’s essential to optimize it for your organization.

Why It Matters

Google is the most commonly visited search engine with over 90% of worldwide volume. People use it to look up anything from news, maps, and facts to local shops, restaurants, and service providers. In fact, most online sessions begin with a search engine for one reason or another. If your business has a website, making it visible on Google is critical to increase organic traffic. More traffic means more prospects and, ultimately, more sales and satisfied customers.

What Are Your Goals?

Google Business Profiles are free, versatile resource made for the digital age. They can be customized to display any number of business details such as locations, contact information, and product inventories. Profiles also facilitate engagement through FAQs, online ordering, and direct messaging options. This allows marketers the freedom to personalize their profile to suit their specific goals.

General Best Practices

Regardless of industry, there are some actions every company can take to optimize their profile. If you haven’t already, create and claim your business profile. Fill out all of the basic fields such as address, hours of operation, and phone number. This allows users to find you on Google Maps and place a call with the tap of their finger. Upload high-quality photos of products, services, and locations to give visitors an idea of what to expect. We highly recommend updating your profile weekly and including your website alongside social media accounts. These actions signal that you care about the user’s experience by providing them with up-to-date information. 

Retailers and Restaurants

A lot of users search online for things to do and buy in their city. Retail shops and restaurants benefit from these searches by making it easy to view and order products online. Retailers can display their current inventory with accurate pricing to encourage sales. They can also utilize the direct messaging feature to answer any questions that customers wish to ask. If your restaurant has an online menu, your profile is the perfect place to show it off. Also, display new specials and promotions beside photos of your most popular items. Clearly indicate if you provide dine-in, takeout, or delivery options to help customers make decisions. Always ask for honest reviews of your shop or restaurant, especially if someone is pleased with their experience. Then, build further trust and loyalty by politely responding in a timely manner.

B2B and Service Providers

You don’t need products or a physical location to make a Google Business Profile. Entrepreneurs, service providers, and business-to-business (B2B) companies will also benefit from this flexible digital tool. Simply list contact details including a phone number, as well as thorough information about what you provide. If you prefer online or onsite appointments, be sure to highlight this. You can even add click-to-call and quote request buttons to encourage visitors to take certain actions. Link to your website and social media profiles, if possible, to help potential clients learn more about your company. As always, ask for reviews and respond quickly to provide an exceptional experience from start to finish.

 

Digital marketing is here to stay. The barrier to entry is low and the return on investment is often higher than traditional methods. Search engines drive a majority of web traffic, and businesses which leverage these tools position themselves for success. We’d be happy to optimize your Google Business Profile and help your business reach more customers today.

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