The importance of Google Business profile service for local and small businesses (How to open new GBP)
"Google My Business" (GMB), which has evolved into "Google Business Profile" as of late 2021, is a free tool provided by Google to help business owners manage their online presence across the Google suite of websites, including Google Search and Google Maps.
Definitions and Possibilities of Google business profile:
The interface of the Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy for business owners to manage their online presence on Google. . Here's a general overview of what you can expect from the interface:
- Business Information Management: It allows businesses to create and manage their business listing on Google. This includes adding their business name, location, contact information, business hours, and more.
- Home Dashboard: When you log into your Google Business Profile, the home dashboard presents a quick overview. You'll see summary information like recent reviews, insights, and suggestions from Google on how to improve your profile.
- Posts: This section allows you to create and manage posts that appear on your Google Business listing. These can be updates, events, offers, or news about your business.
- Info: Here you can edit the core details of your business, such as the name, address, phone number, website, business hours, and more. It's important to keep this information up-to-date.
- Insights: This area provides valuable data on how customers are finding your business (e.g., via Google Search or Maps), what actions they are taking (e.g., website visits, direction requests, phone calls), and other engagement metrics.
- Reviews: In this section, you can view and respond to customer reviews. Engaging with reviews, both positive and negative, is crucial for maintaining a good online reputation.
- Messaging: If you enable this feature, you can directly communicate with customers who have questions or need assistance. It's a great tool for enhancing customer service.
- Photos: This is where you can upload and manage photos related to your business. Adding high-quality images of your location, products, or services can make your listing more appealing to customers.
- Services/Menu: For certain business types, such as restaurants or beauty services, you can add a list of services or a menu.
- Website: If you don't have
- Customer Interaction: Businesses can interact with customers through their Google listing. They can respond to reviews, answer questions, and post updates or special offers.
- Insights and Analytics: Google provides insights on how customers searched for the business, and where those customers are coming from. It also offers details on how many people called your business directly from the phone number displayed in local search results.
- Photos and Virtual Tours: Businesses can add photos and even offer a virtual tour of their premises. This feature enhances the visibility and appeal of the business online.
- Appointment Booking: Some businesses can integrate booking or reservation options directly into their Google business listing
Example of a Google Business Profile listing , photo (Constant Contact)
Why Google Business Profile is Important for Small and Local Businesses:
For small and local businesses, Google Business Profile is a critical tool for managing their online presence, attracting new customers, and building a reputation online. It's especially valuable because it offers these benefits without any cost, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes.
Consider Google Business Profile like your own piece of property on Google local. When customers find themselves in a moment of need (also known as a micro-moment) they turn to Google search to fulfill that need as quickly as possible.
If you have a Google Business Profile, then the potential customer may very well find and contact your business to satisfy that need.
- Online Visibility: Most consumers start their search for a local business online. Having a GMB profile ensures that accurate information about your business is available when they do.
- Local SEO: A well-optimized Google Business Profile helps in improving local search engine optimization (SEO), making it more likely for the business to show up in local searches.
- Trust and Credibility: When customers see a business listed on Google with detailed information and customer reviews, it enhances the business's credibility.
- Customer Feedback and Reputation Management: Reviews left by customers can greatly influence the decision-making of potential new customers. Responding to reviews shows that the business values its customers and their feedback.
- Competitive Advantage: Utilizing the full features of Google Business Profile, including posts and updates, can give a business an edge over competitors who are not as digitally adept.
- Free and Accessible: As a free tool, it levels the playing field for small businesses, allowing them to have an online presence without the need for a large marketing budget.
Statistics on the use of the Google My Business profile for small and local businesses
93% of Consumers Use Google Maps to Find a Business
Gaining visibility is one of the toughest jobs for online and local businesses. Having a presence on Google Business Profile can make that job much easier. 93% of consumers use Google Maps when searching for a business. This shows that if you're not using Google Maps for marketing, you're missing out on potential customers and risking your visibility in search engine results.
Statistics show that an average local business will receive 1,260 views monthly with GMB, making it one of the most effective marketing strategies for small businesses. These views are generated by potential customers looking to learn more about your business by discovering it on Google Search or Maps. With the GBP dashboard, you can track your views and create posts to stay top-of-mind with customers.
45% of Google My Business listings with an appointment scheduler lead to request approvals. This means customers can quickly find essential information about the business, such as opening hours and contact details. It also offers easy-to-use appointment scheduling capabilities that allow customers to book appointments directly from a GBP profile.
One of the key metrics businesses measures is website clicks – this statistic shows how successful customers find the website after engaging with Google Business Profile. 56% of customer actions on GMB result in website visits. This highlights the importance of having a well-designed Google Business Profile , as it will help customers quickly access relevant information and navigate directly to the website.
A business with 11 or more images on its listing provides customers with a comprehensive look at the products and services they offer. Customers often rely heavily on visual cues when making decisions about which business to patronize, and having high-quality images can be a major draw. Listing images are also likely to drive 35 times more website clicks than those without.
Having accurate and complete information in your Google Business Profile (GBP) listing is essential for any business hoping to get found in local searches. Businesses with GBP listings containing accurate and complete information receive seven times more clicks than those without.
This statistic underscores the importance of ensuring everything on your GBP listing is up-to-date and accurate. This includes:
- Business name
- Address
- Contact number
- Website URL
- Operating hours
- Description
- Category
- Photos and Videos
Hotels have the highest number of photos on GBP, showing how important visuals are for businesses in the hospitality industry. Photos allow prospective customers to gain an insight into what a hotel has to offer and can be an effective tool for improving bookings.
94% of calls from GBP come on working days, meaning that Monday through Friday are prime times for potential customers to call you directly. With a GMB profile, potential customers can easily find your contact information and give you a call during the work week when it's convenient for them.
99% of customers search multiple business listings on Google Business Profile before making a decision. In the intricate world of today's digital marketplace, businesses strive to gain the upper hand against their competition, and Google Business Profile emerges as an undisputed titan in this arena. An astounding 99% of customers journey through multiple business listings on this platform, examining a myriad of options in their quest for the ideal choice.
Businesses with reviews on Google My Business get 380% more clicks than listings without reviews.
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, it is paramount for businesses to have a foundational grasp on their online presence. Delving into the realm of Google Business Profile statistics, one cannot overlook the staggering impact of reviews on click rates. Harnessing the power of social proof, businesses with reviews on their Google Business profiles witness an astounding 380% increase in clicks compared to counterparts without reviews.
This compelling figure underscores the significance of peer testimonials in shaping consumers' choices, making them more inclined to explore businesses that exude credibility through genuine and diverse customer feedback.
Over 91% of search inquiries end on Google Business Profile in 2021/22.
Diving into the fascinating world of Google Business Profile statistics, one cannot help but be astounded by the staggering figure that in 2020, a massive 91% of search inquiries culminated on GBP. This astonishing number speaks volumes in showcasing the platform's colossal influence on consumers' online search behavior.
Set up a new Google Business Profile account
A Google Business Profile account is fundamental for businesses that have a physical presence (either in a brick-and-mortar location or by servicing an area). A Google Business Profile account allows potential customers to easily find you when performing Google Searches for businesses in an area.
Set up Google Business Profile and request the verification postcard
If you're setting up a Google Business Profile account for your own business:Sign in to the Google Account you will use to manage this business account.
Next, key in your business name to get started
Enter your business category and click "Next"
Enter your business address and click "Next"
Select the appropriate business location and click "Next"
Click on "Manage Now"
Select a method to verify your Google Business Profile
Once the business details are all set up with the verification approved, you can view your Google Business Profile on your google page to edit your profile and oversee your profile performance.
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