Google My Business

Something your local business can no longer do without

Google My Business (GMB) is no longer optional — it’s an essential part of any business’s online presence and often the first place customers look for up-to-date information about your company. In the age of Covid-19, this is more true than ever.

If your customers want to find your new opening hours or want to call you to inquire about your health and safety protocols, you can bet they probably aren’t going to crack open the Yellow Pages. Instead, they’re going to Google your business’s name and check the right-hand panel for the information they need. If it’s not there, they might look elsewhere.

Now that we are in a post-pandemic world businesses are reopening at lightning speed — it’s crucial that your Google My Business profile is constantly refreshed. Otherwise, you will bleed customers.

As the founder of Milford CT Marketing, I’ve spent more than 3 years helping customers improve their business’s online visibility. And now I’d like to share some of my top suggestions for perfecting your Google My Business profile, at a time when it’s more important to do so than ever.

Why Is GMB So Important?

Google My Business has always been important because it’s the first thing your customers see when they search for your business. Here are a few key benefits to give you an idea of what’s to gain by optimizing your GMB account:

• A completed GMB listing can single-handedly improve a business’s local SEO ranking.

• It sets an immediate first impression for searchers who see your business’s essential info listed on the right-hand side of the interface.

• GMB has Google Maps integration, which makes it easier to find your business on the world’s most widely used mobile map and directions app.

• Direct messaging optionality — customers can send messages directly to your company phone or email via the GMB interface.

• Customer reviews are displayed under your GMB profile, giving your business social credibility that rivals Yelp or Trustpilot.

Plus, the relative decline of crowd-sourced review apps like Yelp has helped propel GMB to new heights. More often than not, I find that customers are using GMB to source opinions and reviews of a business rather than other platforms, so it helps to keep your GMB active and well-curated.

Master Google My Business For a Better 2021 – 2022 and Beyond

A recent Google report found that 60% of smartphone users contacted businesses directly through the GMB interface using the “click to call” option. Clearly, GMB is no passing fad, as the majority of shoppers have used it as their primary contact method with local businesses.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s more crucial than ever that you utilize and optimize GMB to display accurate, updated information about your business. Think of your GMB panel as the first point of contact between you and your customer. If your business hours or description are out of date, you can lose a customer’s trust and miss out on the lifetime value of the relationship.

I have a free service for new clients to provide value first. You can visit the home page to get started. I will create, optimize, and help you with creating or verifying your GMB account. Plus I have some other free services you may want to take advantage of.