How does Google my business work?
These days Local SEO and Google My Business results have been a big part of retail and service-based companies ‘ online presence.
If someone searches for “plumber near me” or “plumber+ LOCATION” they don’t want to explore websites. They want to find a plumber. Google acknowledges this and has started to reveal actual businesses at the top of their search results.
If you want to keep up, you need to create and optimise your Google My Business Listing soon. Our full Google My Business guide will show you how you can master the platform and get the best results for your company in 2020 and beyond. We’re going to show you how you can build your Google My Business account, list your business, optimise your listing and more.
What Is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a platform where Google Maps and local Google search engine results allow you to monitor your company listing. You can add contact information, operating hours, show images and interact directly with potential customers. You can also answer the customer feedback and maintain your online reputation.
Why do you need Google My Business?
Having a website is no longer enough for your company to get a successful online presence. It’s no longer how smartphone users expect details to be found while performing local searches. In 2018, customers took 30.4% more action on local transaction pages than in 2017.
Smartphone users want to end their business without going to a website or needing to hop on a call. If they can make a booking or find the details, they need directly from the business page is great. Google has begun to put its own Google My Business or Google Maps results at the top of local searches in response to this trend. This is just how end-users enjoy connecting online with local businesses.
Google My Business Listings Top Local Search Results
A local search phrase includes keywords such as “near me,” or a particular location such as a city, district or address. Google no longer lends the prime real estate to websites for local searches.
Local searches have become a standard step in the purchaser’s journey. Most of the time, customers who check their phone for more product details end up with a local Google search. Before deciding on a business, 82% of smartphone shoppers do a “near me” or local search.
Knowledge Panel for Branded Search
A “knowledge panel” for your business should appear on the right side of the search results for advertised or related searches using a Google My Business page. The same description of your business can be found on Google Maps. Your address, average rating, operating hours, directions and some general details about your company. If competitors run advertisements against your company name, the information panel can be a great way to quickly attract the attention of potential clients.
How to Create a Google My Business Listing
Now we are going to briefly go through how to create a google my business listing. If you want a more detailed explanation see our blog post covering How To Create or Claim Your Google My Business Listing here.
Step 1 – Log in to Your Google Account
The first thing you need to do is visit google.com/business and click the manage now button. Then sign in to your google account.
Step 2 – Find Your Google Maps Listing if It Exists
Even if you, the business owner or manager, haven’t created an official business listing for Google, your customers may have created a profile for you. It is particularly common in typical consumer-facing brick-and-mortar businesses like restaurants, hair salons, shoe stores, etc. Type in your exact business name and location to check if your business already exists on Google Maps. If you find an existing listing, select it and move on. If there is no existing listing, click the “Add your business to Google” link at the bottom of the page.
Even if you (the company owner or manager) have not created an official business listing for Google, your clients may have created a profile for you.
Step 3 – Set Your Business Name
The next move is easy. All you have to do is type in your company name and click on “Next” button.
Step 4 – Choose Your Business Category
Once you have set your company name, Google needs to learn how to categorise it. Type something into the field “Business category” prompts a drop-down menu of similar options.
Make sure that you pick a specific choice that is relevant to your ideal customers.
For example, if you’re running a restaurant, you probably don’t want to settle for “Restaurant” as your business category unless you are in a small town. Choose an appropriate option that represents your restaurant’s cuisine or theme, for example, “Chinese restaurant” or “Art cafe.”
Step 5 – Add Your Business Location
If you have a physical location other than a home office for your company, you may need to add your business address. First, select “Yes” and if you want to register a location, click the “Next” button when prompted. Then enter your registered street address, including street numbers, names of buildings, and number of floor/room. Proceed with the “Next” button.
Step 6 (Optional) – Set Your Delivery/Service Area
If you offer delivery or have a defined area of service for your business, you may also choose to register this. First, select the option “Yes, I’ll also serve them outside my place,” and click the button “Next.” From here, you can search and pick the larger areas that your business serves in your region. Once you have selected the key areas, click to save and click on the “Next” button.
Step 7 – Set Your Contact Details
The next move is to get your contact information registered. Set the phone number and website URL of your company and press the “next button” to move on to the next step.
Step 8 – Toggle Email Notifications
The last step before you can take your listing live is to turn between getting tips, suggestions and updates about your company profile via email or not. If you’re a consumer business with lots of clients leaving reviews or asking questions, turning on email alerts will help you get answers prompt.
Step 9 – Finalize Your Listing
You have made it to the final step. Clicking “Finish” will save your business profile and data, but you’re not officially in control of the listing yet. Before you are able to fully utilise your Google My Business listing you will be required to verify your listing.
How to Verify Your Google My Business Listing
You need to persuade Google after you’ve created your listing that you’re the actual owner of the company. The standard alternative is to verify your company by having a confirmation code to your business address in a snail mail letter.
Verify via Postcard
- Log in to your dashboard for Google My Business. When signing in, make sure you pick the correct Google User.
A postcard is the only way to check your business with most businesses worldwide.
- Type in the name of the contact, your name or the owner of the business, and press “Mail” to proceed.
- Your listing status will still look the same after you send the letter with the verification information, and it will say “Verification needed” before you have received the postcard and entered the code.
- Follow the instructions once you have obtained the postcard and enter the code on the card to check your account.
Verify via Email or Phone
Alternatively, select businesses can be able to verify their business via telephone or email. If your company is eligible, either option can be selected from the’ More Options ‘ section.
- Confirm that your e-mail or phone number is correct, then select the choice to check.
- Type the verification code that you get to search your Google My Business listing.
How Do I Optimise My Business Listing on Google?
There are three key topics you can concentrate on to improve your Google My Business listing:
- Show images which appeal to your ideal clients.
- Highlight information important to your target customers.
- Respond actively and monitor your comments.
Using Google My Business posts to keep customers up to date on menus and deals, get a booking button, add a product catalogue, and manage messages directly from your profile, can help you hit the next level.
Optimisation Rule 1 - Carefully Pick Your Cover Photo
Your cover picture is probably the most important asset on your Google My Business Listing. When selected for the most search results, Google Maps and Search will show it at the top of your page. It sets the tone for what your business would expect from customers and allows them to understand who your target market is.
Misrepresentation by photos of your restaurant, salon, or hotel is a fast way to get a good amount of negative reviews. Choose a professional cover and interior portraits that will appeal to your ideal clients, portraying your company with accuracy.
When there, you can press the “Change Photo” or “Add Images” buttons to configure your logo, cover, and interior images.
Image Dimensions & Requirements
- Google My Business Cover Photo Recommended Size: Landscape, 1080 x 608 pixels (min 480 x 270; max 2120 x 1192 px)
- Google My Business Logo Recommended Size: Square, 250 x 250 px (min 120 x 120; max 5200 x 5200 px)
- Acceptable Image Formats: JPG or PNG.
- Sizes: Between 10 KB and 5 MB.
- Photo Quality: Google requires unedited, high-quality photos for all of its properties. The image should be well lit and in-focus and have no significant edits or excessive use of filters. There are different recommended dimensions and requirements for the categories of photos. A rule of thumb is that the images should be high-quality and have no significant edits.
Optimisation Rule 2 - Always Respond to Reviews
For a business owner the last thing you want is to put your business’s public image completely in the hands of random customers and clients. One way of regaining some influence, and building some relationships along the way, is to respond to your reviewers.
You can read and respond to your business reviews easily by selecting the “Reviews” section in the navigation bar.
You can filter comments by those you haven’t responded to, or simply show them all.
To write and send your response, click on the “Reply” button below the review. Please note that to be able to respond to your reviews, you must be logged in to a verified Google My Business account.
Optimisation Rule 3 - Video on Google My Business
For local businesses, it’s no longer enough to just rank in the results. Your businesses presence in the SERPs has to stand out in order to attract possible new customers. Videos can play a critical part in a business’s ability to engage with our client base.
Videos can be submitted to a Google My Business listing by both businesses and users. However, many businesses have yet to take advantage of this feature; it seems to be popular with customers; local attractions seem to have the most videos such as farmer’s markets, museums, etc.
Google’s current Video Guidelines:
- Duration: Up to 30 seconds long.
- File Size: Up to 100 MB.
- Resolution: 720p or higher.
Optimisation Rule 4 - Get a Booking Buttons
For restaurants nothing is more efficient than allowing your clients to book directly from inside Google Maps. This integration eliminates the need for them to jump to make reservations through extra hoops, thereby reducing resistance to making a purchase.
If you use one of their supported booking/reservation partners, you can integrate your bookings with Google My Business. Your business must also be in an eligible country to use this option.
Optimisation Rule 5 - Keep Your Customers Up to Date on Your Upcoming Events
You can now add events, updates, deals and even items to Google My Company, instead of just blog post-style updates. Read our blog post How to use Google My Business Posts to learner further about the different post types.
Maintaining an active event calendar for restaurants and events will help prospective clients determine when to visit your establishment.
Maintaining an active event calendar for restaurants and events will help prospective clients determine when to visit your establishment.
If you add an event, it shows up in a “Upcoming Events” section below the customer reviews. Organizing events isn’t just a great tactic for offline marketing; it can also help you stand out on Google Maps. Without setting up a Facebook ad campaign, you get additional organic exposure for events.
Optimisation Rule 6 - Accept Messages Directly from Your Listing
With the newly released iPhone and Android Google My Business app, you can upload photos, create posts and events, manage bookings and respond to feedback. You can receive messages directly from customers and answer them. Just download the app on your phone and sign into your account.
Tap the “Customers” button, then the “Messages” button and finally the “Turn On” button once you have logged in. Potential customers can now see a “Message” option when viewing your Google Maps profile on their smartphone. It helps you to quickly answer any questions they may have. Like whether you can handle larger reservations, or not.
Read more about how to use the messaging options in the GMB app from Google’s official guidelines and our blog post Google My business messaging feature.
Optimisation Rule 7 - Create a Product Catalogs
Google My Business and Google Maps are both unique in that you can highlight product categories and individual items on your profile. Within your Google My Business account you can add new categories and products in the “Posts” section.
How to Get More Positive Reviews without Breaking the Rules
When it comes to your Google Maps profile, there are few things that focus more on potential customers than on your average ranking and reviews.
91% of consumers said in a study in 2019 that positive reviews made them more likely to choose a company. Furthermore, 82% said the negative feedback made them less likely to select a company.
In other words, reviews are key to maintaining a healthy Google My Business profile that turns prospects into clients. But with incentives off the table, what can you do to get more reviews?
Appeal to Your Most Loyal Customers
For whatever reason, your clients and most loyal customers prefer your business repeatedly. When you have formed a personal relationship with them, you can ask them in passing to leave a review. There’s no need to over-complicate things here because you’ve already done the hard work of building consumer loyalty right upfront with positive experiences.
Appeal to Your Most Loyal Customers
For whatever reason, your clients and most loyal customers prefer your business repeatedly. When you have formed a personal relationship with them, you can ask them in passing to leave a review. There’s no need to over-complicate things here because you’ve already done the hard work of building consumer loyalty right up front with positive experiences.
Contact Customers Already Engaging with You on Social Media
Using a social listening app like Hootsuite or other social media apps to track who’s on social media talking about you. Start a nice conversation about your restaurant with clients who have shared a positive tweet or Instagram post.
You may ask them to leave a review on Google Maps, after thanking them for sharing your business on social media.
Maintain an Active Social Media Presence and Share Customer Reviews
Even if you have extraordinarily satisfied customers who “meant” to post a review, with your day-to-day obligations it is easy to forget this minor stuff. A perfect way to encourage pleased consumers to leave feedback is to post and thank people for publicly posting positive reviews on social media. It also serves as social proof that this is worth your investment. Consider it part of your approach to social media.
Provide Review-Worthy Customer Experience
Apart from food bloggers and aspiring food critics, leaving a review takes a lot for a daily customer. It’s not an ordinary run-of-the-mill experience that motivates a consumer to leave a positive rating. That’s either a negative or a fantastic experience. You have to wow the clients to have a review left.
Some examples:
- Go big with serving sizes, selling burgers huge enough to shock every customer.
- Be extremely prompt and professional in industries where contractors are usually hard to deal with.
- Recognize repeat customers and give them deals/make them feel special.
What it takes depends on the business and the clients but remember that just okay isn’t good enough. We developed an in-depth article on how too How To Use Google Reviews To Maximise Results Find.
Conclusion
Maintaining a reputation online is a pillar of digital marketing. Although the creation and optimisation of a Google My Business listing may seem like a challenge for busy business owners, it is worth the payoff. A professional photo cover, important business details and supportive customer feedback can help a new local audience support your company.