Understanding the power of your Google Business Profile

Creating Your Google Business Profile - A Step-by-Step Guide

Taking your business online has never been easier, and claiming your free Google Business Profile (GBP) is a fantastic first step. A well-maintained GBP helps potential customers discover your business in Google Search and Maps, increasing your online visibility and attracting new clients. Here's a detailed guide to walk you through the process:

1. Sign Up and Sign In

The journey begins at [Google Business Profile](link to Google Business Profile). Click "Manage now" and log in using a Google account associated with your business. If you don't have one, creating a new Google account specifically for your business management is recommended. This keeps your business information separate from personal accounts.

2. Enter Your Business Information

This is your chance to shine! Provide the key details that will make your business stand out to potential customers. Here's what you'll need to fill in:

• Business Name: Ensure it accurately reflects your brand and is consistent across all online platforms.
• Address: Accuracy is crucial. Double-check the address to avoid any confusion for customers trying to locate you.
• Phone Number: Include your primary business phone number for easy customer contact. Consider adding a secondary number if applicable.

3. Categorise Your Business

Help Google understand what you do! Selecting the most relevant primary category is vital. Google offers a vast selection, so take some time to browse and find the perfect fit. For example, a bakery would choose "Bakery," while a legal professional would fall under "Lawyer." You can even add secondary categories to define your offerings further.

4. Verification is Key

Verification is the golden ticket to boosting your GBP's credibility and search ranking. Google offers a few verification methods to choose from.

Verifying your Google Business Profile (GBP) is a non-negotiable step for any business aiming to enhance its online presence and local SEO. A verified profile signals to Google and potential customers that your business is legitimate and trustworthy. It unlocks a range of benefits, including:

• Increased visibility: Verified profiles are more likely to appear in local search results.
• Enhanced credibility: A verified badge instills trust in customers.
• Access to more features: Verified profiles can utilize features like messaging, booking appointments, and posting updates.
• Improved local SEO: Verification is a ranking factor for local search results.

Google's Verification Methods: A Breakdown

Google offers several methods to verify your GBP. The specific options available to you may vary depending on your business type and location.  However, more often, they require video verification.

The Rise of Video Verification and Video Calls

In recent times, Google has increasingly implemented video verification and video calls as a method to ensure business legitimacy. This added layer of security helps combat fraudulent profiles and provides a more robust verification process.

• Video Verification: This involves recording a short video of your business premises, showcasing specific details like your business name, address, and interior or exterior shots.

• Video Calls: In some cases, Google may request a live video call to verify your identity and business ownership. This typically involves showing identification and answering questions about your business.

Tips for Video Verification and Video Calls:

• Prepare your business: Ensure your business is tidy and well-lit for video recording.
• Be clear and concise: Clearly display your business name, address, and any other requested details.
• Be ready to answer questions: Have information about your business readily available.
• Maintain professionalism: Dress appropriately and be polite during video calls.

While video verification and calls might seem like an extra hurdle, they contribute to a more secure and reliable Google Business Profile ecosystem. By successfully completing the verification process, you're taking a significant step towards boosting your business's online visibility and reputation.

Optimising Your Google Business Profile: Improve your Rankings on Google Maps

Setting up your GBP profile is just the first step. To truly leverage its potential, you need to optimise it for maximum visibility and engagement.

Create a Compelling Description

Use the business description section to showcase your unique selling points and what sets you apart from competitors. Highlight your specialities, customer service philosophy, and brand personality in a concise and engaging way.

Showcase Your Business with High-Quality Images.  Visuals are powerful tools for grabbing attention. Upload high-resolution photos that showcase your storefront, products, services, and team. Don't forget to regularly update your photos to keep your profile fresh and visually appealing.

Update your Google Business Profile with your Products and Services



Keeping your Google Business Profile's product and service listings up-to-date is essential for business success. By accurately reflecting your offerings, you improve your search visibility, enhance customer experience, and boost sales. Detailed product information helps customers make informed decisions, while regular updates signal to Google that your business is active and relevant, improving your local search rankings.

Essentially, a well-maintained product and service list can significantly increase your chances of attracting and converting customers.

Keep Your Google Business Profile Up to Date

Ensure all your business details, including address, phone number, website URL, and opening hours, are accurate and up-to-date on your GBP profile. Inconsistencies can lead to frustrated customers and missed opportunities.

Utilising Google Business Profile Posts for Enhanced Engagement

GBP posts allow you to share updates, announcements, and special offers directly with your audience. This functionality allows you to stay connected with existing customers and attract new ones. Here are some engaging post ideas:

• Promote upcoming events, sales, or promotions.
• Share new product launches or service offerings.
• Highlight customer testimonials or positive reviews.
• Showcase your team or company culture.
• Offer behind-the-scenes glimpses into your business operations.

Beyond the Basics - Advanced GBP Features to Explore

As you become more familiar with GBP, explore some of its advanced features to further enhance your online presence:

Messaging: Enable the messaging feature to transform your GBP into a direct communication channel. This allows potential customers to reach out with questions or inquiries directly through your profile. Responding promptly fosters trust and a personalised experience, ultimately increasing the chance of converting leads into sales.

Insights: GBP's Insights dashboard provides a treasure trove of information about how customers discover your business. Analyse data on search queries used to find you, demographics of your audience, and user actions taken on your profile. These insights are invaluable for refining your GBP strategy. By understanding your customer base, you can tailor content, offerings, and communication to resonate better, maximising the impact of your profile.

Shortcuts: Make life easier for your customers with GBP's shortcut functionality. Create convenient shortcuts for frequently requested actions. This could include booking appointments, placing online orders, or visiting specific sections of your website. By removing friction from the customer journey, you can improve satisfaction and drive conversions.

Mastering your Google Business Profile for Success

By harnessing the power of Google Business Profile, you can significantly elevate your online visibility and connect with potential customers in a meaningful way. By following this comprehensive guide and consistently optimising your profile, you can transform your Google Business Profile into a powerful tool for attracting new customers, fostering brand loyalty, and ultimately achieving your business goals.

While setting up and verifying your Google Business Profile is a one-time job, managing it requires ongoing work. Optimising it so that you appear higher on Google Maps and ultimately in Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) requires expert knowledge and a defined strategy.

However, the benefits of managing or optimising your profile are significant. You will stand a much better chance of ranking for … near-me or location-based searches, which can provide a steady stream of leads or customers for your business.

Conclusion

Your Google Business Profile is a valuable marketing tool for your business. If managed properly and optimised effectively, it can generate significant leads and customers.

The first step in maximising the opportunity presented by your Google Business Profile is to understand how it is currently ranking on Google Maps.

At Overt Digital Media, we provide a free audit that will provide you with a comprehensive ranking report. To request this, please complete the form below and one of our consultants will send you your report back within a couple of days.

Make Use of Customer Reviews

Positive reviews from satisfied customers act as social proof, building trust and credibility with potential customers. Encourage satisfied patrons to leave reviews on your GBP profile by politely requesting them after every positive interaction. Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative, in a professional and timely manner. Acknowledge positive feedback with gratitude and address negative reviews by offering solutions and demonstrating your commitment to customer satisfaction.

Keep Your Information Current

Ensure all your business details, including address, phone number, website URL, and opening hours, are accurate and up-to-date on your GBP profile. Inconsistencies can lead to frustrated customers and missed opportunities.

Utilising Google Business Profile Posts for Enhanced Engagement

GBP posts allow you to share updates, announcements, and special offers directly with your audience. This functionality allows you to stay connected with existing customers and attract new ones. Here are some engaging post ideas:

• Promote upcoming events, sales, or promotions.
• Share new product launches or service offerings.
• Highlight customer testimonials or positive reviews.
• Showcase your team or company culture.
• Offer behind-the-scenes glimpses into your business operations.

Beyond the Basics - Advanced GBP Features to Explore

As you become more familiar with GBP, explore some of its advanced features to further enhance your online presence:

Messaging: Enable the messaging feature to transform your GBP into a direct communication channel. This allows potential customers to reach out with questions or inquiries directly through your profile. Responding promptly fosters trust and a personalised experience, ultimately increasing the chance of converting leads into sales.

Shortcuts: Make life easier for your customers with GBP's shortcut functionality. Create convenient shortcuts for frequently requested actions. This could include booking appointments, placing online orders, or visiting specific sections of your website. By removing friction from the customer journey, you can improve satisfaction and drive conversions.

Insights: GBP's Insights dashboard provides a treasure trove of information about how customers discover your business. Analyse data on search queries used to find you, demographics of your audience, and user actions taken on your profile. These insights are invaluable for refining your GBP strategy. By understanding your customer base, you can tailor content, offerings, and communication to resonate better, maximising the impact of your profile.



Mastering Google Business Profile for Success

By harnessing the power of Google Business Profile, you can significantly elevate your online visibility and connect with potential customers in a meaningful way. By following this comprehensive guide and consistently optimising your profile, you can transform your Google Business Profile into a powerful tool for attracting new customers, fostering brand loyalty, and ultimately achieving your business goals.

While setting up and verifying your Google Business Profile is a one-time job, managing it requires ongoing work. Optimising it so that you appear higher on Google Maps and ultimately in Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) requires expert knowledge and a defined strategy.

However, the benefits of managing or optimising your profile are significant. You will stand a much better chance of ranking for … near-me or location-based searches, which can provide a steady stream of leads or customers for your business.

Conclusion

Your Google Business Profile is a valuable marketing tool for your business.  If managed properly and optimised effectively, it can provide significant leads and customers for your business.

The first step in maximising the opportunity presented by your Google Business Profile is to understand how it is currently ranking on Google Maps.

At Overt Digital Media, we provide a free audit that will provide you with a comprehensive ranking report. To request this, please complete the form below and one of our consultants will send you your report back within a couple of days.