Google Business Profile is a free and friendly tool designed by Google for businesses to handle their online presence on Google Search and Google Maps. It is referred to as GBP and is essential for any business kind, especially local businesses.
A GBP profile set on Google makes it easy for consumers to find your brand details like name, website, location, working hours, contact number, and reviews. Without GBP, your brand will not be featured in the local finder or local pack, which is the main goal of online marketing.
Benefits of Setting Up Google Business Profile
Gain more visibility
Google has comfortably maintained its high spot as a popular search engine. It holds more than 75% of the search market share, which is generally increasing. It receives 5.6 billion searches daily which include a large fraction of local intent queries. It means plenty of searches are conducted to find places close by – for example, ‘Gym near me’ or ‘restaurant near me’ or a ‘dry cleaner close by’. It is the main reason local businesses perform local SEO. The more visible your business is to search engines the more chances of receiving potential consumers increase.
Get on Google local pack
It occupies a massive amount of space on the search results’ first page. It is the first thing searchers see after they have typed a query. Users can see information about your business at a glance. GBP is a determining factor of local pack ranking. So, it is necessary to verify, update and optimise online business details regularly to stay connected with target audiences.
Customers can leave reviews
Customer reviews are powerful and make up at least 10% of search algorithms and rankings. Google Business Profile makes it easy for consumers to leave feedback, which is essential for businesses to enhance their local search engine optimisation. These reviews are left by genuine buyers, so give more credibility and trusted source for many.
Positive reviews enhance sales and search ranking. Online reviews are similar to personal recommendations and it is human nature to trust them. Positive reviews increase your chance to generate leads and increase sales. You get an idea of what buyers think about your brand and if necessary make changes. Even view bad reviews logically and consider them seriously.
Gain helpful insights
Google Business Profile drives your ranking, promotes your brand, and even helps you to know the market better. GBP tool has potent features that give insights to create strategies and make informed decisions.
For example, with the number of views associated with your profile, posts, and photos you get to know whether the content is working well or not. You get to learn how your audience is interacting with the posts. Shares and likes give an idea of the material type that works great for your business.
GBP is a free tool, which can help to enhance your online visibility, connect with the target, and enhance sales & revenue. So, let’s learn how to set up a GBP profile to leverage the benefits mentioned above.
How to create Google Business Profile?
Here is a step-by-step guide to setting a GBP profile:
- Create a new Google account for business even if you have a personal account.
- Go to Google business webpage > Manage Now > Add your business name to Google [you may find a business name similar to yours don’t click on it]
- Click ‘Yes’ and add the business location and address, so it gets connected to Search results and Google maps.
- If you want to serve customers outside your location then choose ‘Yes’ and add cities to ensure people looking from those spots will find your business.
- Choose a business category that closely fits your business. Make sure to choose relevant categories because it affects search terms.
- Add business contact information like website and phone number. It helps consumers to find your website and can even phone you.
- You will need to verify your GBP profile after you click the ‘Finish’ button.
Few verification options…
- By mail – You get a postcard including a code, which can be added to your file address.
- By phone – It is accessible to selected businesses. You get a call and a code to enter is given.
- By email – If you are eligible for email then the code is sent via email.
- Instant verification – It is an option that appears if you already have a GBP profile and are just adding a new location.
Options don’t matter, as long as you complete the verification process for the GBP profile.
Best practices for GBP profile optimisation
- Add videos and/or photos
- Add business description
- Add business logo
- Add business details
- Start requesting Google reviews
- Add services, posts or products
Don’t forget to use the UTM parameter to isolate and analyse the trended Google Business Profile performance in Google Search Console and Google Analytics.
