One of the key aspects of any successful business is visibility.
If people can’t find your business they won’t be able to buy your products or access your services. While visibility can be increased via many methods - some free, some not - the first and easiest step to increasing your business’ visibility is through Google My Business.
GMB Google Search, Google Maps, and Google+ all in one, making it incredibly easy for business owners to keep their digital presence organised (and optimised) as it also syncs up with Google AdWords, Google Analytics and insights from the same dashboard.
The combination of these services into one single platform allows you to easily set up and change your business at any time, without having to worry that part of the data will be lost in transition. Every change you make through Google My Business is automatically transmitted to all of Google’s services, and although Google My Business is oriented towards local businesses - any type of business can take advantage of its perks.
Basically, GMB becomes your digital business card.
If you don't already have a Google+ page for your business, worry not, as setting up a new GMB page will automatically create a Google+ page as well.
Below is a quick overview of how to do it. For complete guidelines visit Google My Business Help.
Setting Up Google My Business In 4 Easy Steps
- 1Visit https://www.google.com/business/ and click the green button labeled ‘Start Now’
- 2Either create a new Google account for your business or use an already-existing account
- 3Enter the details of your business in the correct text boxes and click continue
- 4Your business’ Google+ page will be created automatically from the data you entered in the text boxes. Before you can take control of your page, Google will send you a code via email. Verify the ownership by entering the code.
For those who already have a page, all you have to do is merge your old Google+ page with the new GMB page. This won't change how your Google+ Pages work, you'll still be able to use the service exactly the way you've used it before.
So why get it?
By claiming your business listing you are verifying your businesses credibility in the eyes of Google and once you set up and configure a GMB page, it will ensure your business listing appears in all the local searches.
For example: If you own a diner in London, then whenever a someone conducts a local search for diners in London - your page will pop up at the top of the search results.
This means that customers seeking your service will instantly be able to find your business' name, your physical address, your telephone number, website, social platforms, working hours, photos, payment options, reviews and much more.
Plus, from the dashboard you can edit your business profile and more importantly - read and respond to reviews your customers leave, study online visibility and engagement metrics, as well as audience insights which all provide powerful marketing fuel for ad copy, content ideas and more.
In order to have a fully functional page, be sure to follow the editor as it will guide you through to 100% completion.
The bottom line is if you own a business - set up your GMB page.
It's an incredibly powerful, useful, and completely free tool crafted specifically to connect searchers to their solutions and businesses to their customers.
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