Do you want your business to outperform your competitors in local Google searches?
If the answer is YES, you need to focus on optimising your Google Business Profile.
What is a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)
A Google Business Profile is essentially a free listing that appears when someone searches for your business on Google Maps or Google Search. It includes important information such as:
✔️Business name
✔️Address
✔️Phone Number
✔️Website URL
✔️Business Hours
✔️Reviews
A query submitted in Google search will return results primarily with a strong emphasis on the user’s location.
For service businesses, Google will look at factors such as location, relevance, quality of sources etc and aim to return the best match. e.g. Professional Services, Trades, Dentists etc.
By having a fully optimised Google Business Profile, the business is more likely to rank well in these search results. A page 1 ranking or better still featuring in the Google Local Pack increases website visits and enquiries.
Plus, by regularly updating your profile with new photos, customer reviews and updates, you are demonstrating that your business is active and engaged.
Check out how your business fares in a location-based search for your service. This will give you an indication of where you are currently ranking and also how your competition is faring.
Having your business feature in the local pack / Page 1 of Google search is the holy grail.
- 99% of consumers have used the internet to find information about a local business in the last year.
- 78% of consumers use the internet to find information about local businesses more than once a week (up from 69% in 2020)
- 21% of consumers use the internet to find information about local businesses every day (down from 34% every day)
- Consumer use of Google to evaluate local businesses has leapt from 63% in 2020 to 81% in 2021.
- 77% of consumers ‘always’ or ‘regularly’ read online reviews when browsing for local businesses (up from 60% in 2020)
Maximizing Your Local Business's Success with Google Business Profile Reviews
A regular flow of customer reviews will enhance your business’s online reputation.
“77% of consumers ‘always’ or ‘regularly’ read online reviews when browsing for local businesses (up from 60% in 2020).” BrightLocal
Consumers give more credence to reviews for certain types of businesses. e.g. they will pay more attention to the reviews for healthcare and financial and legal services than to entertainment and retail.
The key is consistency both in receiving regular reviews and responding to both positive and negative reviews in a timely manner.
Ready to take your service business to the next level?
According to research from BrightLocal – 64% of consumers use Google Business Profile to look up local businesses. If you are serious about local internet marketing you cannot afford to ignore this free tool.
These statistics prove that consumers are turning to the Internet as their first port of call when researching products and services. As a result, making sure your business is visible online is critical to the success of your business.
To help you get up and running quickly we have created a Google Business Profile Checklist which you can download by clicking on the link.
Once your Google Business Profile is current you need to ensure a regular flow of photos, reviews and posts to establish your authority in your area of expertise.
Don’t wait – the sooner you start optimising your Google Business Profile, the sooner you’ll begin to see an increase in visits to your website and enquiries.
Don’t delay, get started today and watch your business grow.,