For developing businesses and top corporations alike, having a stellar Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is vital. As the most visited website in the world, Google is one of the most important resources that your business can use.
Using a Google Business Profile to increase your brand’s visibility isn’t difficult. In fact, thanks to routine updates and its popularity of it, there are many resources out there that can help make building your GBP easier than ever. If you’re a newbie, though, then there are a few things you should definitely know before getting started.
What is a Google Business Profile?
Your Google Business Profile is an official page for your business that is listed in the Google business directory entirely for free. The platform helps shine a light on your business and gives potential customers all the information they need in order to contact your business: phone number, address, website, open hours, and anything else you want to provide.
Any business can use GBP to list their brand. There’s no limit on how big or small your business can be and you don’t have to provide information for every black space. The more information you provide, the better your GBP will do, but it isn’t a requirement in order to have the Profile.
Where Does a Google Business Profile Show Up?
When users search for your business, you’re GBP will show up on the Google Knowledge Panel to the right of the search results.
If a user searches for something local but doesn’t specify your business, it may appear in a list of several other businesses that fall into the same category. This is called Google Local Pack. In this case, if a user searches “dentists near me” and your business provides dental services, your GBP will show up in a list with other dental offices.
In addition to showing up in prime search result ranks, your GBP may also appear on Google Maps. If a user is searching the city or area where your business is located, your business information will appear when they tap on the icon or search for similar businesses.
What Are the Benefits of a Google Business Profile?
Having a GBP setup can greatly benefit your business. From local searches to international searches, having a GBP will help potential customers all over find information on your business. Here are some other benefits of having a GBP:
#1. Appear on Google Listings
As a business with a GBP, you’ll appear on listings that other businesses may not. The Google Knowledge Panel and Google Local Pack are two prime examples of this. You may not even appear on Google Maps. As most users rely on Google for information about businesses nearby, you’ll benefit from this added visibility for free.
#2. Reviews
With a GBP, customers can leave reviews for other potential customers to see. 81% of users rely on reviews when they look at a business, meaning that a business without any reviews will quickly be overlooked in favor of businesses with at least a few.
While many businesses are worried about bad reviews, it’s worth noting that only 40% of users are likely to leave a bad review while over 60% are likely to leave a good review.
#3. Gain Business Insights
Through your GBP, you can view vital business information. You’ll get reports on the number of views your business has, what users are searching in relation to your business, user engagement, your primary audience, and the number of website clicks and direct contacts. All this information, provided for free through Google, can help you in the future with marketing tactics and website improvements.
Can I Set Up My Google Business Profile on My Own?
It’s entirely possible to set up your GBP on your own, but it isn’t recommended. Setting up your Profile is not a hard task, but for those who are new to it, there is a learning curve. It can take a lot of time to learn how to navigate and once you figure it out, you’ll still have to build the page yourself.
If you’re worried about messing up or you don’t have the time, energy, or expertise to build your GBP on your own, it’s possible to outsource the work.
Why You Should Consider Outsourcing Your Google Business Profile Work
If you don’t already have a GBP built, then it’s likely because you’re a new business. While new businesses are allowed to create a GBP, there are a lot of other things to keep in mind at the same time. From starting a physical location to building your actual website, the last thing you need is to add more work to your plate.
Makes the Start-Up Easier and Quicker
When you outsource your google my business management work, you can rest assured that it’s in good hands. There are many people who create GBPs in a professional capacity and will know all the ins and outs of the system. Where you may hesitate and delay, a professional will move forward confidently and finish your GBP much quicker.
Easier Management
Once your GBP is created, then you’ll need to think about regular maintenance and management. Even if you don’t plan on making any major changes to your business, you’ll need to ensure that your GBP is up to date so that customers have access to working links, accurate information, and the right listing.
Frees Up Your Time
Outsourcing the work frees up your time so that you can spend it on more important things. While a professional handle your GBP, you can focus on building your business and improving your brand awareness.
Build Your Google Business Profile Now
Building your Google Business Profile is an important step for every new business owner and is one of the best ways to get the word out about your business. Whether you bought into a franchise or you’re building your own company from scratch, a GBP will provide you with free marketing tools and analytic insights that will prove invaluable in your business’s future.
Also Read: Use these 17 Cool Google tricks to impress everyone around you
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