How Google my business help your Local business online?

Google My Business is a simple and cost-effective way to make your business more discoverable both online and in a real way. This comprehensive guide will show you ways to urge the platform up and running and dealing for your business immediately.

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business is a free and easy-to-use online business tool for small & medium scale businesses and organizations to manage their online presence across Google search, including Google Search and Google Maps. If you verify and edit your business information, you can both help customers find your business online and tell them your story.

Why you need a Google My Business?Today 8 out of 10 shoppers search online when they want to find a business online using the search engine, and 7 out of 10 purchased a business they found using a search engine like Google. By listing themselves on Google, businesses can appear right when people search for products or services they offer, allowing interested customers to learn more or get in touch with them. Today millions of small & big businesses are on Google Maps and are connecting directly with their customers.

For example, Palazzo Jewellery shop Dubai gets 30% of its customers through Google by managing their reviews and regularly posting their special offers and events.

How to create a Google My Business account?Step 1: Simply sign-in to Google my Business via your Gmail Account.

Step 2: Add your business nameType in your business name and then hit Next.

Step 3: Tell people where to find youYou will be asked if you want to add a location customers can visit, like a store or office. If you would like to, you will simply hit "yes" and you will be taken to another window where you’ll be prompted to enter your business’s physical address.

Step 4: Drag and drop to show your exact locationSometimes, an address is not enough. Make it easier for your customers to find you by dragging and dropping the pin to your exact location. This will allow customers to zoom-in if they’re feeling a little lost.

Step 5: Let your customers know if you deliverIf you offer delivery options, it’s important to let your customers know. If you don’t, simply click "No, I don’t."

If you do, click "Yes, I also serve them outside my location."

And then add in the zip codes that you deliver to.

Step 6: Select a business categoryHere, it is really important to get as accurate as possible in the business category that you select. This tells Google what specific customers should see your Google My Business.

Step 7: Tell customers how they can get in touchNow, just add in your business’s phone number and website so they can give you a ring or learn more about you online.

How to verify Google my business listing?Step 8: Verify your Google My Business account

There are 4 different ways for you to verify your Google Business account…

Via phoneIf you’d like to verify by phone, choose "verify by phone." Again, if you have clumsy thumbs, be sure that your phone number is correct before attempting to verify. Once you hit verify, you will feel a buzz. It’s both a headrush and a text from Google sending you a verification code. Simply enter the verification code and you’ll be all set.

Via emailIf you’d like to verify my email, choose… yes, you guessed it… "verify by email." From there, navigate to your email inbox and look for an email from Google My Business. In this email, you will find a magical verification button. Click the sent button and you will be verified.

Via postcardIf you’d like to verify by Postcard, simply hit the big blue button that reads "Mail" and is on the lookout for your very own postcard from Google. Remember that this can take up to five days. So, be patient. When your postcard arrives in the mail, log into your Google My Business account and select "Verify Now". In the code field, enter the five-digit verification code on your postcard.If your postcard never arrives. It’s all good. Just sign back into your Google My Business account and click the big blue banner at the top of the screen reading "Request another code."

In bulkIf you have multiple business chains around the city, country or anywhere on the globe.

The easiest (and most likely way) that you will be asked to verify your business will be via postcard, especially if you’re opening up a Google My Business profile with a physical location.

Please understand that verifying your business is an essential step in opening up a Google Business account. Google will not display your listing until your business has been verified.

How to optimize your Google my business listing?After successful verification, you can optimize your Google My Business via 3 ways:Here’s the deal, your Google My Business profile will only be as powerful as you allow it to be. To make it work for you, you have to optimize it. Below you will find a few ways to do just that.

1. Download the Google My Business app

Your Google my business profile should be viewed like another social media account. It should be a living breathing extension of your brand. There’s no need to waste time fussing with your laptop to make changes or updates to your GMB profile, instead just download the app. This will make it easier to add pictures, post statuses and respond to reviews.

1. Encourage your customers to post their reviewsFor one, customers trust reviews. BrightLocal a local marketing firm based in London conducted a few surveys that had some impressive takeaways. Their research found that 91% of consumers regularly check online reviews and 84% trust them as much as a personal recommendation. So, the more positive reviews you have on your Google My Business account, the more business you will drive. Additionally, the companies with the most positive reviews will be pushed up in the search ranking. Your goal should be to land within the high-visibility panel. You can achieve this by collecting plenty of positive reviews.
2. Upload clean, crisp photos & Updates RegularlyIf you apply anything from this section, please please apply this… photos sell. Google found that businesses with photos receive 40% more clicks to their websites and 60% more requests for driving directions than businesses without them. While it might cost some money, I would highly recommend hiring a photographer to take some clean crisp professional-looking photos of your storefront, your interior and whatever product or service you’re selling. Every day, more and more businesses are making the jump to create a Google My Business account. Unfortunately, only a select few in each city are putting in the ongoing work it takes to create a profile that gets noticed and ultimately gets them more customers. That presents a beautiful opportunity for you. Respond to reviews and questions, post company updates, and combine the power of search and social to make sure your customers can always find you.

I hope you would like the article about Google my business how you can use it for your business growth online. If you don't have any idea about Google my business then you can hire a Social Media Service Specialist for your Google my business optimization and setup.