Google Business Profile
A Google Business Profile is a free tool provided by Google that enables businesses to manage their online presence across Google's various platforms, including Google Search and Google Maps. By creating a Google Business Profile, you can help your business appear more prominently in local search results and provide customers with key information about your business, such as your hours of operation, address, phone number, and customer reviews.
Note: if you do not have a physical location where you meet clients, you may not qualify for a Google Business Profile.
Here are some best practices for using a Google Business Profile to expand your visibility online:
Claim and verify your listing: Claiming and verifying your Google Business Profile is the first step to ensuring that your business information is accurate and up to date. You can verify your listing by phone, email, or postcard.
Optimize your listing: Make sure your Google Business Profile is complete and accurate, including your business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and website URL. You can also add photos, videos, and virtual tours of your business to help customers get a better sense of what you offer.
Encourage customer reviews: Positive reviews can help improve your visibility in search results and attract more customers. Encourage customers to leave reviews by providing excellent customer service and making it easy for them to leave a review on your Google Business Profile.
Use keywords in your listing: Use relevant keywords in your business description and in your listing's categories to help Google understand what your business offers and improve your visibility in search results.
Keep your information up to date: Make sure your Google Business Profile is always up to date by regularly checking and updating your business information, such as your hours of operation or phone number.
Use Google Business Profile Insights: Use the data provided by Google Business Profile Insights to track how customers are finding and interacting with your business. This can help you optimize your listing and improve your online visibility.
Overall, having an optimized Google Business Profile can help you expand your online visibility and attract more customers to your business.
How to Set up a Google My Business Profile
Setting up a Google My Business profile is a great way to increase your visibility online, especially if you have a local business. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Go to the Google My Business website and sign in with your Google account. If you don't have a Google account, create one.
Click on "Manage now" to start setting up your profile.
Enter your business name, address, and phone number. You'll also be asked to choose a category that best describes your business.
Verify your business by selecting the verification option that works best for you. Google will typically send a postcard to your business address with a verification code, which you'll need to enter on your profile.
Once you've verified your business, you can add additional information to your profile, such as your website, hours of operation, and photos of your business.
Make sure to complete your profile as fully as possible. The more information you provide, the more likely you are to show up in local search results.
Finally, keep your profile up-to-date with any changes to your business, such as new hours or location.
GBP 30-Day Challenge
A study in 2019 suggested that engaging with your Google Business Profile daily for 30 days can have a significant impact on customer interactions (suggesting that Google rewards you for interacting with their service by bumping your site up in their search results). That study has since been replicated several times with similar success.
I tried it myself for the Fortune Law Firm in the first quarter of 2022. Here are my results:
30-Day Challenge Results
In 30 days, I was able to increase the number of searches for my site by 30%, the number of site views by 22%, and the number of customer activity associated with my profile (asking for directions, leaving a review, asking a question, calling the number, emailing, etc.) by 352%!
Here is a breakdown of what you can do every day for 30 days. Make sure you record your numbers before and after, then share the results with the other affiliates at our Wednesday morning meeting:
Your 30-Day Journal
Day 1: Create or Claim Your Google Business Profile
Day 2: Verify Your Business Information (Address, Phone Number, Hours, Etc.)
Day 3: Add a Business Description
Day 4: Add Business Categories
Day 5: Add Photos of Your Business
Day 6: Add Videos of Your Business
Day 7: Respond to a Customer Review
Day 8: Add Additional User Access to Your Profile
Day 9: Add a Menu or Service List
Day 10: Add a Products List
Day 11: Add a Booking Button
Day 12: Enable Messaging
Day 13: Add Holiday Hours
Day 14: Create and Publish a Post
Day 15: Create a Welcome Offer
Day 16: Add a Question and Answer Section
Day 17: Share Your Business Profile on Social Media
Day 18: Use the Insights Tab to Learn About Your Profile Traffic
Day 19: Create an Event Listing
Day 20: Create a Covid-19 Update Post
Day 21: Create a Product or Service Highlight
Day 22: Create a Google Maps Street View Virtual Tour
Day 23: Create an Appointment Booking Button
Day 24: Add Photos of Your Team Members
Day 25: Add a History Section
Day 26: Share a Blog Post
Day 27: Create an Event Post
Day 28: Add a Call-To-Action Button
Day 29: Share an Industry Article
Day 30: Create a Seasonal Offer.
Online Reputation Management Best Practices:
Online reputation management is the practice of monitoring, influencing, and improving how a person, brand, or business is perceived online. It involves managing what appears in search results and on social media, as well as responding to and addressing negative reviews or feedback.
Having a positive online reputation is important for several reasons. First, it can impact the credibility of your business and influence the purchasing decisions of potential customers. Second, it can affect your search engine rankings, as search engines prioritize websites with good online reputations. Finally, with the widespread use of social media and online review platforms, negative reviews or comments can spread quickly, potentially damaging your business's reputation if not addressed promptly.
Effective online reputation management involves actively monitoring and responding to online reviews and comments, promoting positive content about your business, and addressing any negative feedback in a timely and professional manner. It's important to be transparent, honest, and responsive to customer concerns, as this can help build trust and improve your reputation over time.
Ask for reviews: Encourage your customers to leave a review by asking them in person, including a review request in your email signature, or adding a call-to-action on your website or social media pages.
Respond to all reviews: Take the time to respond to every review, both positive and negative. Thank the reviewer for their feedback and address any concerns they may have. This shows that you care about your customers and are committed to providing excellent service.
Be professional: When responding to reviews, maintain a professional tone and avoid getting defensive or confrontational. Even if a review is negative or inaccurate, responding with empathy and a willingness to resolve the issue can go a long way in winning over customers.
Respond promptly: Respond to reviews in a timely manner, ideally within 24-48 hours. This shows that you are actively engaged with your customers and value their feedback.
Monitor reviews regularly: Keep a close eye on your Google Business Profile to ensure that you are aware of new reviews as soon as they are posted. This allows you to respond quickly and address any issues before they escalate.
Encourage honest feedback: While it can be tempting to only ask for positive reviews, it's important to encourage honest feedback from your customers. This helps build trust and credibility with your audience and can also provide valuable insights for improving your business.
Say thank you: Take the time to thank customers who leave positive reviews. This not only shows your appreciation but also encourages them to continue to support your business in the future.