What is Google My Business?
So What is Google My Business, and Why Do You Need it?
We have been talking about Google My Business for quite a while here at Momentum Digital. We have covered topics surrounding Google My Business in the past like how to add a new user to your Google My Business Account and how to optimize your Google My Business listing.
However, we realized that we never discussed what exactly Google My Business is and the power it can have for your small business.
46% of all searches on Google are seeking local information. If you are a newcomer to the small business world, Google My Business is a simple tool that is going to help you grow your brand and visibility.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a free software platform supplied by Google. This platform allows business owners to sign up for free to manage their business’ local listing on Google. Any type of small business can use this platform. However, small businesses in the retail or services industries tend to get the most out of the service.
GMB allows customers to easily find businesses online. It also enables local businesses to interact with potential customers in order to answer any questions they may have and, overall, build trust.
If you don’t already have an account – today is the day! You can create an account online within minutes.
To create a GMB account:
- Go to google.com/business to sign up for a free account with a gmail or a Google Business account
- Once created, insert all of the necessary information about your business. The more relevant and detailed, the better.
- After you’ve added the information to your listing, Google will scan, crawl, and index all of the information.
- Once your listing is up and running, the more reviews your business receives, the more frequently you post, the more you manage your listing, and the more consistent you are across the internet, the more leads and business you will get.
Make sure you optimize your GMB account to secure your spot in the top three ranking local businesses in the area. If you do this, you will get a spot in the coveted Google Maps Pack.
The Maps Pack is the group of 3 businesses that appear in a location-mapping box at the top of the page just after the advertisements.
For example, when searching for “digital marketing in Philadelphia” Momentum Digital ranks number one in the Map Pack.
Having your business in the Map Pack will give your business more leads and customers for free. Businesses that don’t rank as well fall lower down on the Map Pack, resulting in less clicks, less visibility, and, overall, less business.
To choose which businesses it ranks, Google goes by the NAP system. NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone.
When ranking businesses by relevance, Google indexes the name, address, and phone number first. That means that these things need to be consistent across the board for your business on all online platforms.
Why Do We Have the Best Google Advice?
You may be thinking – why should I trust you for advice about my business?
Well, we know how powerful Google My Business is from personal experience. Mac Frederick, our founder and CEO, previously worked at Google before leaving to start Momentum Digital in Philadelphia.
Mac used another small business he owned, Phone Repair Philly, as a case study for the Google My Business tool.
Phone Repair Philly was able to grow with Google My Business as the backbone of the company. Phone Repair Philly was grown from nothing to profiting over a million dollars in three years for free.
Don’t you want to grow your business for free?
Why Google My Business?
If you haven’t caught on by now – It’s FREE! This platform helps bring your business legitimate new customers at no cost at all to your business.
As we mentioned before, the best way to use Google My Business is for local search. When using GMB, you will reach more local customers and give potential customers an easy way to contact your business.
Having a high ranking listing will attract people that are searching daily for what your business offers directly to your business.
When using GMB, many of those who are searching in your area using specific keywords have a high intent – 90% of those searching have an intent to go into the business or call the business almost immediately. 88% of people that find your business are likely to call or visit within the next 24 hours.
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