Why small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) need a Google Business Profile

As a small or medium-sized business (SMB), having an online presence is more important than ever. With so much of our lives and commerce happening online, it’s crucial that potential customers can easily find and learn about your business on the internet. One of the most effective ways to do this is through a Google Business Profile.

A Google Business Profile is a free listing on Google that allows you to promote your business to people who are searching for it on Google Maps and search results. By creating a Google Business Profile, you can provide important information about your business, such as your hours of operation, contact information, and photos of your products or services.

Having a Google Business Profile can be especially beneficial for SMBs, as it can help them stand out in a crowded online marketplace and attract more customers. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the details of what a Google Business Profile is, how to create one, and why it’s important for SMBs. So, let’s get started!

There are many benefits to having a Google Business Profile for your SMB. Here are a few of the most significant ones:

• Being more easily found on Google Maps and search results: When someone searches for your business or a related keyword, your Google Business Profile will appear in the search results. This makes it easier for potential customers to find and learn about your business, which can lead to more foot traffic and online enquiries.

• Building trust with potential customers: By providing accurate and up-to-date information about your business on your Google Business Profile, you can build trust with potential customers. This is especially important if you are a new or lesser-known business, as a comprehensive and professional-looking Google Business Profile can help people feel more confident in your services or products.

• Getting reviews from customers: Your Google Business Profile allows customers to leave reviews about your business, which can help build trust and credibility. Positive reviews can also help your business rank higher in search results, as Google takes into account the number and quality of reviews when ranking businesses.

• Offering more information to potential customers: By adding photos, videos, and detailed descriptions to your Google Business Profile, you can give potential customers a better understanding of what your business is all about and what you have to offer. This can help them make informed decisions about whether to visit or contact your business.

How to create a Google Business Profile:

Creating a Google Business Profile is easy and can be done in just a few steps. Here’s how:

1. Sign in to your Google account. If you don’t have a Google account, you’ll need to create one.

2. Click on the “Add a business” button and enter your business name and address. You’ll also need to select the category that best describes your business.

3. Verify your business: Google will send a postcard to your business address with a verification code, which you’ll need to enter into your Google Business Profile to confirm that you are the owner or representative of the business.

4. Add photos and information about your business: Once your business is verified, you can start adding photos, videos, and a description of your business to your Google Business Profile. Be sure to include any relevant information that potential customers might want to know, such as your hours of operation, pricing, and special offers.

5. Get reviews from customers: Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile. Positive reviews can help build trust and credibility with potential customers, and they can also help your business rank higher in search results.

By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive and professional Google Business Profile for your SMB. This can help you attract more customers and showcase your business to a wider audience.

The importance of accurate and up-to-date information:

As a small or medium-sized business (SMB), it’s important to keep your Google Business Profile information accurate and up-to-date. This includes your business name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation. If any of this information is incorrect, it can lead to confusion and frustration for customers.

For example, if someone searches for your business on Google Maps and your address is incorrect, they may have difficulty finding your location. Similarly, if your hours of operation are not up-to-date, someone may arrive at your business only to find that it’s closed. These types of issues can lead to lost customers and missed opportunities.

In addition to helping potential customers find and contact your business, keeping your Google Business Profile information accurate and up-to-date can also help build trust. If someone sees that your business information is accurate and consistent across different platforms, they will be more likely to trust your business and consider using your products or services.

To ensure that your Google Business Profile information is accurate and up-to-date, it’s a good idea to check it regularly and make any necessary updates. You can do this directly through your Google account. By taking the time to keep your Google Business Profile information accurate and up-to-date, you can help potential customers find and trust your business.

How to optimize your Google Business Profile for SEO:

In addition to providing important information to potential customers, optimizing your Google Business Profile for search engine optimization (SEO) can also help your business rank higher in search results. Here are a few tips for optimizing your Google Business Profile for SEO:

• Use relevant keywords: In your business description and other areas of your Google Business Profile, use relevant keywords that people might use when searching for businesses like yours.

• Add photos and videos: Google favours businesses that have photos and videos in their Google Business Profiles, as this can help potential customers get a better understanding of what your business has to offer. Be sure to add high-quality photos and videos that showcase your products or services.

• Encourage reviews: Google takes into account the number and quality of reviews when ranking businesses in search results. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile, and be sure to respond to any negative reviews in a timely and professional manner.

By following these tips, you can optimize your Google Business Profile for SEO and improve your chances of ranking higher in search results. This can help more potential customers find and learn about your business, which can lead to more foot traffic, calls, emails, and enquiries.

If you’re an SMB and you don’t yet have a Google Business Profile, or if you’re looking to optimize and manage your existing profile, Shayn’s Solutions can help. We offer a range of services to help businesses create, optimize, and manage their Google Business Profiles, including our free listings tool, which ensures that your business information is always accurate and up-to-date. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your business succeed online.