One of the easiest ways to market your business and ensure that your potential clients find their way to the right place is to set up a Google My Business Page. Of course, Google makes it super easy to set up these types of things. But there are a ton of features that could help your business stand out that you may not know about. We’ll take you step by step through the process so that you can get the most out of your Google My Business Page.
First, what is a Google My Business page?
You might be wondering if a Google My Business page is like a business account on Google+ or if it’s just the search result that Google takes a customer to if they, well, Google your business. On the contrary, your Google My Business page is that little square that you may see on the right side of your search results when you search a particular business name. It gives a quick overview of your business, including a Google Earth view, your location on Google Maps, links to your website, customer reviews, and more. Filling out this information and keeping it current can be one of the best ways to drive clients to your site.
How do I create a Google My Business Page?
1. Go to the start page.
Well, you have to start somewhere, right? Sometimes, this feature isn’t the easiest to find, though. So, just go to https://www.google.com/business/? . There, you’ll find your basic start screen and a button that says “Manage Now.” Go ahead and click it!
2. Login/Create a Google Account
You’ll have to create a Google account/email to use the Google My Business feature, but it’s free and well worth it. In fact, if you haven’t already, take this time to make a business email. That way, your clients have another way to contact you directly, and their mail doesn’t clutter up your personal inbox. Just make sure that you check this business email regularly.
3. Find or Name your business
Once you create a Google account or use a second email account to make a My Business page, the site has you input your business name. Since Google indexes the Internet, if you already have a business website, Google may be able to pull your business name from a list of suggestions. If not, you’ll still have the option to create your business name.
4. Add a location
You’ll want people to visit your location, right? So, add a location that makes sense for your company. If you have an actual business location, that’s easy – just click the “Yes” option and then input your business address. If you have a home-based business, you may opt to keep your address private; in which case, feel free to select the “No” option. If you have multiple locations, it may help to just put in your corporate or home-base address. Google does actually give you the choice to state if you have locations outside of the address you input initially.
5. Select a business description
Google will then ask which business description fits your company best. This is to further help potential clients find you if they’re searching for a general service. So, even if you have a unique business within a certain niche, try describing it in the best way you can.
6. Share your business’s contact info
Next, Google will ask you about the company contact details you want to share with your customers. The best option will be to fill out as much as humanly possible – including the link to your business website. Google does have a tool to create a free website for your business, which can come in handy in some ways. This option allows for quick updates to your business info, certain customizable visual aspects of the site, and management from your mobile phone.
However, the site that it creates is very limited. It only creates one page for you to share all of your business’s information on, which can create an information overload for anyone who visits the page. You also won’t be able to add meta descriptions, have a unique and easy-to-remember domain name, or links to your business’s social media handles. These are all vital parts of SEO, which can help your company gain more visibility than just a Google My Business page by itself. So, it’s probably better to use another website tool to give you more layout and SEO options.
7. Verify your business location
Google won’t let you list just any old address for your business. So, to prevent errors in address and ensure the most accurate experience for internet browsers, you’ll have to verify your address by mail. It’s as easy as Google sending you a postcard and then following the instructions on the card!
There you have it! Once you verify your business location, your Google My Business page will be live for everyone to see. After you verify your address, you’ll have tons more options to add to your page so that you can reach potential customers where they are. Some of the things you can add to Google My Business are:
- Your business hours
- Your social media pages
- Customer reviews
- Your own short business description
- Photos of the outside and inside of your business
- Admins and managers that can help you keep the page up to date
Again, adding as much information as possible can help potential customers find you more easily and build a trust in your brand before they even work with you. Of course, this isn’t a substitute for an entire business webpage, but it is a great addition to draw attention to your company.
Unfortunately, one of the things you can’t add to a Google My Business page is how you’ve gotten the best business insurance at the best rates with our agents! Our experts have tons of experience working with various business to get the rates and customized coverage that every business needs. To start your free quotes on quality business insurance, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a specialist today!
Source:
https://searchengineland.com/google-business-website-builder-seo-review-277182