One of the best ways to increase your visibility on Google is by using a business listing with Google My Business.
A well optimised GMB listing provides a competitive edge to stand out, increase listing engagement and take control over branded search results. It is a powerful tool for local businesses. It can rank your company higher on search engine results pages, helping you win more customers and grow faster than ever before!
Here are 7 Reasons why Google My Business is a Must for Local Marketing
1. Boost your visibility on the Web
A Google My Business listing can help you improve your business’s online presence, and in turn, make it more visible.
When searching for a product or service on Google, the first three listings are usually Google Ads, followed by a map with the Local 3-pack, then the organic results appear.
The Local 3-pack is a great way to make sure that your customers visit you first. Based on the searcher’s location, they will be shown three local businesses from which one can choose as their preferred place of business!
The once-inclusive 7-pack has now been limited to only three local listings, hence the title 3-Pack.
Many businesses have been trying different SEO tricks to get into this special category. But what most don’t know is that by creating a Google My Business listing, you can significantly increase your chances of making it onto the list and take advantage of all these new features!
2. Share relevant Information with your Potential Customers
GMB is a fantastic tool for local businesses to use. It not only allows you to share information about your business, but also news and updates that can help build brand awareness as well!
These posts show up on Google Search and Maps, ensuring that you stay visible to potential customers.
3. Respond to the queries of your Potential Customers in Real-Time
The Google messaging feature will change the way you do business forever! You can now chat directly with potential customers who find your profile on the search result’s page. The instant gratification and ability for live communication makes this tool invaluable in any marketer’s arsenal, as it helps them answer questions right away while also being able to help their existing or prospective clients at a moment’s notice.
4. Magnify your appeal with Reviews
Online reviews are a valuable tool for determining the quality of any company. With so many internet sites, people often turn to online reviews when looking at local businesses and choose the one with the highest reviews.
This not only boosts your appeal to potential customers, but you also get honest evaluations about the things that are going well and those which could use some work.
Online reviews are a crucial part of building trust and credibility with customers. A local consumer survey found that 88% of people believe online reviewing sites have the same weighting as personal recommendations, so it’s important for businesses to take them seriously when writing their own product descriptions! Reviews are a ranking factor used by Google to determine where you’ll show up on search results.
According to a survey by Whitespark on Local Pack/Finder Ranking Factors, online reviews make up 16% of how search engines determine their rankings.
5. Stand out from the crowd with the Local 3-Pack
The Google Local 3-Pack is a goldmine for local businesses, especially in competitive markets. It is a concise, mobile-optimized website that provides the information searchers need to take action. It’s prominently featured at or near top of search results page, so it’s easy for consumers who are motivated by their immediate needs!
The searcher can now find the best businesses for their problem with just one search. They provide all necessary information at a glance, including name, address, map location, phone number, open/closing status (and closing time if applicable), number of reviews as well as overall rating from Google users who have tried this business before you!
With local 3-packs, businesses can now offer their products and services right in the search results.
The majority of people who see your listings will never click through to the site. For this reason, it is important that you fully optimise your GMB listing and provide as much information as you can.
“Your Website Is Not Any Longer Your First Impression With Customers, It’s Your Google My Business”.
The regular local 3-pack that appears for most local search terms.
Local Finder: The complete list of local results that appears when the “View all” link at the bottom of a local pack is clicked.
6. Increase Traffic and Sales
Google My Business listings are critical to attracting local customers. Google says that businesses with this listing have 70% more visitors than those without one, and they also increase traffic and sales! The multiple verification steps involved in getting your business listed create trust among potential clients as well – not bad for just a few minutes’ work each day!
7. Free Google Advertising
There are many ways to promote your business and get it on the first page of Google. You could run a Google Ads campaign, but you need to have a big budget. You could also improve your SEO, but building your authority and ranking takes time. A GMB listing is a fast and cheap way to get targeted exposure on the biggest search engine. Creating, claiming, and verifying your account costs nothing!
CONCLUSION
A Google My Business listing is an excellent way to reach potential customers and give them easy access to your contact information, direction (navigation), website address/site map as well as hours of operation.
Therefore, having such a valuable asset without incurring any spending lets you invest your resources in other areas of your business.
