Having a Google Business Profile page offers numerous advantages for small service-based businesses.
Here are the top ten benefits:
- Increased Online Visibility: Your business will appear in Google Search and Maps, making it easier for potential customers to find you when they search for relevant services in your area.
- Free Promotion: Creating and maintaining a Google Business Profile is free, providing you with a cost-effective way to promote your services online.
- Contact Information: Display essential contact information such as your phone number, address, and website, helping customers get in touch with you quickly.
- Customer Reviews: Customers can leave reviews and ratings, which builds trust and credibility for your business. Positive reviews attract more customers.
- Business Photos: Showcase your work, office space, or products with photos and videos, giving potential customers a visual sense of your services.
- Business Insights: Google provides data on how customers find your business and what actions they take, allowing you to make informed marketing decisions.
- Google Posts: Post updates, offers, and announcements directly on your profile, helping you engage with your audience and promote special promotions.
- Messaging: Enable messaging to communicate with potential clients directly through your profile, making it easier for them to ask questions or request quotes.
- Local SEO: A well-optimized Google Business Profile improves your local search rankings, increasing your chances of being seen by nearby customers.
- Trust and Credibility: Having a verified and complete Google Business Profile makes your business appear more trustworthy and professional to potential customers.
Remember to keep your profile up-to-date with accurate information and engage with customer reviews and inquiries promptly to maximize the benefits of your Google Business Profile.
Customer reviews are crucial for businesses. Good reviews lead to new and repeat customers, while bad reviews turn them away. In a 2020 survey, 94% of consumers said positive online reviews made them more likely to do business with a company. 92% said negative ones were likely to turn them away from a business.
Once verified, businesses can thank customers who have left good reviews, address any genuine concerns patrons face, and call out fake reviews.
Actionable Steps With Your Google Profile Page
Here are additional actionable steps for each of the advantages of having a Google Business Profile for your small service-based business:
- Increased Online Visibility:
- Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are accurate and consistent across all online platforms.
- Use relevant keywords in your profile description to improve your chances of appearing in search results.
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and ratings on your profile.
- Free Promotion:
- Regularly update your profile with current information, including business hours, services offered, and any special promotions or events.
- Utilize Google Posts to share updates, news, and offers to engage with potential customers.
- Contact Information:
- Double-check that your contact information is correct, including your business phone number, physical address, and website URL.
- Enable messaging to make it convenient for customers to reach out with inquiries.
- Customer Reviews:
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews by providing exceptional service.
- Respond to both positive and negative reviews professionally and promptly to show your commitment to customer satisfaction.
- Business Photos:
- Upload high-quality images that showcase your work, products, and the interior/exterior of your business location.
- Add captions and descriptions to photos to provide context.
- Business Insights:
- Regularly review the insights provided by Google to understand how customers are interacting with your profile.
- Use this data to refine your marketing strategies and adjust your profile content as needed.
- Google Posts:
- Create engaging and relevant posts to keep your profile fresh and informative.
- Include eye-catching images and clear calls to action in your posts.
- Messaging:
- Enable messaging on your profile and respond to inquiries promptly, providing helpful and concise information.
- Set up automated responses for common questions if possible.
- Local SEO:
- Optimize your profile with relevant keywords related to your services and location.
- Encourage local customers to leave reviews and mention specific services or products in their feedback.
- Trust and Credibility:
- Verify your Google Business Profile to add a checkmark of authenticity to your listing.
- Showcase any industry certifications, awards, or affiliations that can build trust with potential customers.
Consistently managing and updating your Google Business Profile with these actionable steps will help you make the most of the advantages it offers to your small service-based business.