Google My Business is an excellent tool for reaching customers and for customers to reach you. In today’s local markets, it’s more important than ever for your business to increase its visibility online. And honestly, there’s no better way to do this than with a properly set up GMB listing.You’ve seen it. The listing appears on the right side of the results when somebody searches for a business.
Google My Business
As shown, the listing includes your business’ contact information- name, address, and phone number. It also includes a link to your website, directions on Google Maps, hours that you’re open, pictures and reviews.
However, Google is rolling out more and more features for businesses to interact with potential customers and provide them with as much useful information as possible on that first search.
It’s about time businesses take GMB more seriously. To inspire you to start taking full advantage of this powerful platform, we’ll go over a few of its best features to promote your business.
Google Posts
This is a feature that allows businesses to post content directly to Google. GMB Posts will appear in search results when somebody searches for a business or organization by name.
There are several types of posts available. You can write a text, upload images, infographics, or add a title for an event. You can promote events, or your business’ products and services.
The post’s content will appear in both Google Search and Maps results.
Take note that Google removes the posts after seven days. And if you’re promoting an event, it will be removed after the event date passed.
Menu & Services
First, Google rolled out ‘Menu’ allowing restaurants to show their menu on GMB. Now, they rolled out ‘Services’, which is an obvious expansion of the feature, allowing businesses to show their services (and prices) in a menu-style fashion. Very advantageous for businesses with flat rates.
Messaging
GMB also provides businesses the opportunity to chat directly with clients who found their listing through search results on your mobile device.
When using this feature, make sure to respond as quickly as possible because, just like on Facebook, your average response time will be displayed. And your business might receive messages outside open hours, but you can turn the feature on and off to avoid it.
Q&As
This feature allows businesses to answer questions from customers and displays them on their listings for future customers. Businesses can also add FAQs and their answers just like they do on their website.
Appointments
Google allows also businesses to include a link for people to schedule appointments. The link helps clients to contact a business directly from Google Search or Maps. Businesses just need to link it to their website’s contact page.
Small Thanks with Google
This is one of the coolest features of GMB. It turns your existing positive reviews into posters that can be printed or shared online. You can even customize the designs. It comes in handy if you want to share reviews on social media, and looks great in your office. What better branding than positive reviews from satisfied customers?
The business needs to have some 5-star reviews on Google for them to appear though.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways in which Google My Business can help you promote your business and reach customers to generate leads and increase sales. And Google will continue releasing features to empower businesses.
At Argos InfoTech we fully optimize Google My Business listings as part of our comprehensive local SEO services for small and medium-sized businesses.
We design and implement custom strategies that take full advantage of all platforms and provide a clear path to success. Contact us today and let’s discuss what we can do for you!