Why is Google Business Profile Important for Your Business?

Each day, Google processes billions of searches for a variety of information, such as word definitions, local news, and various FAQs. A large percentage of those searches are from people looking for products and services in their local area. Whether a searcher is looking for a roofing company, coffee shop, or estate planning attorney, Google provides additional space at the top of the search results for businesses that have a Google Business Profile. 

Google Business Profile (GBP, formerly known as Google My Business) is a critical part of any local search marketing strategy. It’s completely free, but it does take some time and effort to get the best possible results. Here’s what you need to know about Google Business Profile and why it’s important for your business. 

What is Google Business Profile?

Google likes to change the names of (or rebrand) its products, which can make discussing them a bit confusing. Google Business Profile has gone by many different monikers over the years — Google My Business, Google+ Local, Google Places, and Google Local. Despite this assortment of names, the actual product and its purpose have remained relatively constant. It’s an online product for local businesses to manage how they show up in search results and to collect and disburse customer feedback. 

Why a Google Business Profile is Important for Your Business

Thanks to today’s technology, people use a variety of devices (phones, tablets, laptops, watches, etc.) to find local products and services. This creates an invaluable opportunity for your business. Here are some of the top reasons why your business needs an optimized Google Business Profile:

1. GBP allows you to appear on Google Maps and the Local Pack.

Google Business Profiles are only available to local businesses with brick-and-mortar locations that serve customers in a specific geographic region. Having a GBP listing allows your business to get listed on Google Maps and the Local Pack when someone searches for a “near me” business. This is a powerful tool for local businesses because it may be the first and only thing searchers rely on when looking for a business in their local area. 

2. A GBP provides high visibility for your local business.

The Google Local Pack takes up a massive amount of real estate on page one of Google’s search results. It’s the first thing many people see when they search for a local business. If you secure a spot here, it can provide high visibility for your business. Not only that, you can also secure additional page one spots in Google for your website using strong SEO strategies, which boosts your visibility. 

3. It allows people to leave and read reviews of your business. 

Your Google Business Profile is where many customers can go to leave and read reviews about your business. Small business owners should never underestimate the power of customer reviews when it comes to earning business and scoring search engine rankings. 

Most consumers today are influenced by online reviews. According to a study by Moz, online reviews also contribute to about 10% of how search engines rank results. 

4. A GBP can be a valuable source of key insights. 

GBP is also a valuable tool to help you understand your customer’s needs and your overall market. This is because the service comes with detailed insights that give you information about critical areas to assist you in creating better digital marketing strategies. For example, you can learn where your audience is coming from, how they interact with your content, and what is driving clicks to your website. 

5. Potential customers can engage directly with your business. 

Getting potential customers to click on a link to your website is just one way potential customers can engage with your business using GBP. One of the benefits of this service is that it provides several ways for people to engage — they can pick up the phone and call you, travel to your physical location, ask a question through your profile, leave a review, or upload a photo. 

Steps for Getting Started With Google Business Profile

Creating a Google Business Profile should be a priority if your business targets local customers. Here are a few steps to getting started and making the most of this free Google search feature:

1. Create a Google account for your business

Before you can create a Google Business Profile, you need a Google account designated for your business. This should be separate from your personal Google account. You can, however, link the two later so you get all of your emails and notifications in the same inbox. To get started, go to accounts.google.com and select “Create an account.”

2. Create your free Google Business Profile

Next, go to google.com/business and click on “Manage now” to set up your free profile. 

3. Search for your business

It’s possible that your business is already listed and just hasn’t been claimed yet. Start by searching for your business name. If you find it, follow the steps to claim it. If not, click “Add your business to Google.”

4. Set up your profile

You’ll set up your profile by choosing the type of business you have, specifying your geographic area, and entering other details. How you optimize your profile is critical to the performance of your Google Business Profile and its online visibility, so you’ll want to spend significant time on this step. 

5. Verify your business

Your profile’s visibility on Google will be severely limited unless you verify it. Google gives you several options for verification, such as via video, phone, email, and postcard.

Contact Too Darn Loud Marketing to Elevate Your Local Search Marketing Strategy

You need a strong Google Business Profile to connect with your local target audience. This involves optimizing your profile and soliciting feedback from your customers, which can be time-consuming. We can help. 

Too Darn Loud Marketing is a full-service digital marketing agency focused on helping small businesses throughout the United States achieve the best possible results. We’ll get to know your business and industry before customizing a results-based digital marketing strategy. Call us today at (800) 649-1764 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.