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The success of small businesses is increasingly tied to their online presence. It’s no longer enough to rely solely on word-of-mouth or traditional advertising. Enter the Google Business Profile—a game-changing tool for local businesses aiming to enhance their visibility and attract more customers.
If you are wondering why exactly is this tool so crucial for small businesses in the USA, I will try to break it down today. Let’s dive in.
What is Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile or GBP (ex. Google My Business) is a free business listing on Google that allows local customers to find you and information about your company across Google, including Search and Maps.
It contains quite a lot of important information, such as your business name, location, working hours; services or products you offer; customer reviews; updates and so much more.
On the “admin” side you can see where and how people are searching for you so you can better understand what you are doing right and how to further optimize your content.
Essentially, it’s your digital storefront.
The Role of Google Business in Local SEO
Local SEO is all about optimizing your online presence to attract more local customers from relevant local searches.
Quite frankly speaking, Google business profile is the most important tool for your local SEO.
According to Google, 46% of all searches have a ‘local intent’. Meaning those people are looking for local services, stores, restaurants, etc.
Google Business Profile drastically improve your local SEO efforts by showing your business to customers in the local search results and on Google Map. When done right, this will get you A LOT of new customers.
Increase Your Business Visibility - Be Found By Those Who Search
A Google Business Profile significantly increases your online visibility.
When people go to Google to search for services or products you offer, having a profile can ensure you appear in local search results. Your business might even be featured in the “Local Pack”—the top three local businesses displayed prominently on Google’s first page.
Here is a little insight. About 5.000 people search for ‘roofing services’ in Chicago, Il each month.
Roofing businesses that optimized their GBP and invested time to grow it, will be shown on the top of the first page as seen in the red rectangle in the screenshot below.
Building Credibility and Trust
Sometimes we forget to do this and I am guilty of it myself, but just for a moment… Put yourself in the shoes of a potential customer.
So let’s you do home renovations. Meeting a potential client at their home address for an estimate is just another day at work. You are a professional and have done it 1000 times.
On the other side might be a person who’s renovating their home for the first time in their life.
They don’t know what to expect. They don’t who will be coming over.
So the first thing they’ll do is go to Google to see the reviews and those reviews are trust signals to the majority of people. They will look at your website. That’s another trust signal.
So the website & your Google profile will tell them exactly what they need to know, before dialing your number and not competitors.
Meetsoci did an interesting case study on Google reviews and here is what they said:
“[What’s more,] reviews are the single most important criteria in consumers’ minds for differentiating one business from another, with 89 percent of consumers saying they read online reviews before making a purchase decision.”
[External link – The State of Google Reviews by Meetsoci]
Engaging with Customers
While we are at the reviews, one of the standout features of a Google Business Profile is the ability to engage with customers directly.
You can respond to reviews, both positive and negative, showing that you value customer feedback and are committed to improving your service. Moreover, customers can ask questions directly on your profile, and you can provide timely responses in the Q*A section of your listing.
These stay visible on your profile so the next person having the same question will have the answer in front of their eyes.
Showcasing Your Business
Your Google Business Profile is a great platform for showcasing your business. It allows you to cover all the basic information you must have on Google.
You can add photos and videos to give potential customers a glimpse of your products, services, and business environment.
High-quality images can attract more views and increase the likelihood of customers visiting your business.
Promoting Offers and Updates
As the name suggest the offers you create on your GBP will be visible to your potential customers. These present a very good way to lock in that potential customers focus on what you have to offer.
Updates are another great way for you to show how serious you are about your business. Why? Because regular updates send a professional signal. I bet most of your competition is not posting those, so it’s an easy W for you!
Access to Valuable Insights
Google provides valuable insights into how customers interact with your profile. You can see how many people viewed your profile, how they found you, and what actions they took (e.g., visiting your website, calling your business, or requesting directions). These insights help you understand customer behavior and refine your marketing strategies.
Boosting Customer Convenience
A Google Business Profile makes it easy for customers to find essential information about your business. By providing accurate and up-to-date information, answering the questions and posting updates will significantly enhance your overall image.
Customers appreciate businesses that are easy to find and interact with.
Cost-Effective Marketing
One of the biggest advantages of Google Business Profile is that it’s free. You get access to a suite of powerful tools and features without any cost. This makes it an incredibly cost-effective marketing tool, especially for small businesses with limited budgets. The return on investment (ROI) can be substantial when you consider the increased visibility and customer engagement.
Ready to grow your Google Business – we got you. Check our GBP services here.
Competing with Larger Businesses
Small businesses often struggle to compete with larger, more established companies. However, a well-optimized Google Business Profile can level the playing field. Local searches prioritize relevance and proximity, giving small businesses a fair chance to compete with bigger names within the local area.
Case Studies and Success Stories
Consider the example of a local coffee shop that saw a 30% increase in foot traffic after optimizing their Google Business Profile. Or a boutique clothing store that doubled its customer reviews and improved its local search ranking, attracting more out-of-town visitors. These success stories highlight the transformative impact of leveraging Google Business for local businesses.
The Bottom Line
Still not sold? Well, you should’ve been. Even without everything you just read above.
Having a Google Business Profile is an absolute necessity for small businesses looking to grow locally, build credibility, and get more customers.
While it is a long-run, it’s worth every single second you invest.
Looking for tips on how to Grow Your Google Business profile?
If you haven’t yet set up a Google Business Profile for your business, now is the time to do so as our agency offers a FREE setup campaign to support small businesses. Click here to book a meeting and let’s talk.
FAQ
Setting up a Google Business Profile is simple. Visit the Google Business website, sign in with your Google account, and follow the prompts to enter your business information. Verify your business through the methods provided, and you’re good to go.
Yes, Google Business Profile is a free tool. It offers a range of features at no cost, making it an excellent option for small businesses looking to improve their online presence without significant investment.
To optimize your profile, make sure all the information is accurate and up-to-date.
Select the proper primary category of your business!
If you are not sure what exact category that is, research your competition and see what Google offers.
Add your logo, cover image and high-quality photos and videos.
If you need help with this, do not hesitate to give us a call. We will help – 331 260 8897
Yes, if your business has multiple locations, you can manage them all under one Google account. Each location will have its own profile, but you can easily switch between them and update information as needed.
Regular updates are recommended to keep your profile active and engaging. Post new photos, respond to reviews, and update any changes in your business hours or contact information as soon as they occur. Frequent updates not only keep your customers informed but also signal to Google that your business is active and relevant.
Read Next
External Links
Case study: How one small business leveraged Google Map reviews for growth – click here.
The Importance and Benefits of a Google Business Profile – click here.
Did Google Say 46% Of Searches Have Local Intent? – SEroundtable – click here.
About the Author
Since early age (circa 2005.) Alex has been a student of informational technologies.
Having honed skills in VB & C++, he went on to learn web technologies all while keeping design, graphics, video, and animation as his hobby.
Alex helped countless businesses establish their brand & digital presence, in the form of websites, apps, marketing campaigns, and more.
In 2020 he sold his well-established digital agency to pursue an art career, but decided to come back to the world of digital in 2023.
ALEX DAWSON – Evolve with Digital