Google My Business (GMB)has been around for some time, but a lot of people have not fully taken advantage of its power as a simple and cost-effective method to make a business discoverable both online and offline.
Why have a Google My Business (GMB) account
You may be surprised to find out that creating a GMB account is free and gives account holders a dynamic suite of online tools that let businesses mark their retail or business locations and manage how they appear on the Google search page and Google Maps.
GMB helps customers find your physical location easily
Businesses with GMB accounts can easily mark their location on Google Maps to help customers find a business location easily and without getting confused about how to get there.
Increases your search visibility
This is one of the best features of GMB, which allows your presence on the first page of Google search results on top of organic search results and sponsored ads.
When people search for a business with keywords associated with yours, your business address and brief description appear on the visible panel along with similar businesses.
GMB displays your business information and lets customers leave reviews
With reviews currently making popular headway in helping people in their decision-making process, GMB allows customers to provide reviews and feedback, at the same time allow you to manage which reviews you want to highlight.
It also gives you the ability to respond to customers asking for information or details related to your business.
GMB is completely free
Having a GMB account will cost you nothing except time and creativity. IF you are starting out in business and need the footprint and mileage you need, then GMB is for you.
GMB can lower cost for Google Ads
When you link your GMB account to Google Ads, you can use location extensions to your paid ads and will not cost you another cent.
Location extensions allow you to display your business address and mark your location so that it’s easy for customers to simply click the extensions and direct them to your location.
How to start with your GMB account
Creating a GMB account is really simple, just go to the main GMB landing page and sign in to create your account.
Follow the instructions and fill up necessary fields such as your business name, address, drag and drop your location on Google Maps, provide delivery options, select your business category, provide contact details on how to reach your business, and verify your GMB account.
How to verify your GMB account
There are several ways to verify your GMB account, which is a process that ensures you have a legitimate business.
You have options to have it verified by phone, mail, postcard, instantly, or in bulk.
The most common option is through a postcard, where you get to be sent a postcard via mail with a verification code that will be encoded on the verification box on the GMB main dashboard.
Verification is a critical step in activating your GMB account because your listing will not appear on the GMB platform unless it has been verified.
How to optimise your GMB profile
Download and install the GMB app
Downloading the app makes it easy to navigate and manage your GMB account. It becomes the extension of your social media pages and is a love extension of your brand.
Allow customers to leave reviews
This helps engage your customers and relate them to your business. Make every effort to respond to their reviews as well so they can feel appreciated for the reviews and feedback they provided.
Remember that the more positive reviews you have, the more opportunities you have to promote and drive your business.
Take advantage of high-quality images to attract audiences
A study by Google found that businesses with excellent quality images get 35% more clicks to their linked websites and 42% more for requests of driving and location directions compared to businesses without images.
More businesses are already subscribing to GMB and a lot of businesses have already taken advantage of the platform to increase their mileage and get more customers to their business.