Whether you’re a local business, an e-commerce business, or an international brand, being featured on Google is essential to attracting the right customers. And with the rise of online sales and digital marketing, many may think that physical stores are a thing of the past. However, Google My Business is a platform that can help change that perception.
Although many consumers still prefer the experience of seeing products in front of them, touching them and even testing them before deciding to buy, a survey showed that around 93% of Brazilians search on Google before buying.
In other words, even those who choose to visit physical stores do not fail to do research on the internet to find the best prices and products. This only reinforces the importance of being present online and that, if you do not appear in searches, you could be leaving money on the table!
And that’s not all: Google Business Profile isn’t just for local businesses — global brands and companies without physical headquarters can also benefit from this tool to strengthen their online presence and attract customers.
With that in mind, I’m going to show you the platform’s most recent updates, how to increase your company’s visibility through Google My Business, and how this tool can boost your sales.
Stay with me and find out how to put it into practice today! Let’s go!
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business (now called Google Business Profile) is an essential tool for any business that wants to strengthen its online presence, whether physical or digital. Much more than a “registration form”, this platform allows brands to stand out in searches and develop strategies to attract more customers.
With it, you can share the most relevant information about your company, such as name, description, location, category, images, opening hours, website and contact details, for example. This way, when someone searches for your business or related products and services, your brand can appear prominently.
And do you know what the best part is? Registering your business there is free! All you need to do is have a Google account, access the Business Profile page and follow the steps, which are very intuitive.
Fill in your details carefully so that your customers can easily find or contact you. Once your registration is complete, your profile will also appear on Google Maps.
Oh, and address verification is an important step. Google can send you a verification card in the mail, but it also offers options for phone, video call, or email verification, depending on the situation.
What are the tool updates?
Google My Business has undergone some recent updates aimed at improving the user experience and making its management more practical and efficient. Check out some of the new features:
Name change
This change from “Google My Business” to “Google Business Profile” reflects the evolution of the tool, which has become even more integrated and accessible, allowing companies of all types to manage their information more easily.
Update on Company Profile management
One of the coolest new features of Business Profile is the ability to manage your page directly through the Google Maps app on your mobile device or through Google Search, without having to access a separate dashboard, which makes for quick updates.
This is also very useful for quickly responding to questions or reviews that arise on the page, or even adding new photos, all with just a few clicks (or taps lol).
Desktop Messages
Communication with customers has become more accessible: now, it is possible to manage messages directly on the computer, without having to use the application. Depending on the case, this can mean faster responses and more efficient service.
Management panel update
Google My Business recently also underwent an update to its dashboard, bringing new features that make managing your online presence even easier.
These improvements have made the tool more intuitive and functional, giving you greater control over your company’s information, in addition to:
- Track performance metrics, such as views and interactions, all in one place, making it easier to analyze results;
- Manage posts and updates easily to keep your customers informed about news and promotions;
- Access messaging features, making communication with your customers even faster.
What is the advantage of Google My Business?
Being listed on Google is already a great benefit, but the real power of Google My Business is in increasing visibility and attracting the right customers to your company. Let’s take a closer look at how this works:
Local SEO as a competitive differentiator
Google My Business is a strategic resource for increasing your digital presence and strengthening your brand. Companies registered on the platform stand out in searches, both in local searches and for users looking for specific products and services.
In other words, regardless of your business model, your company can be found more easily by customers who have already shown interest in what you offer! This is a major differentiator in competitive markets when the consumer is already ready to make a purchasing decision.
Additionally, the tool can be used to boost your SEO strategy and attract qualified traffic to your website.
Strengthening digital presence
Optimizing your Google My Business listing is a way to improve your online reputation. After all, complete information and positive reviews increase customer trust and the credibility of your brand.
Additionally, integrating omnichannel strategies creates a uniform experience across different channels, such as physical stores, e-commerce, and social media.
For example, offering the option to “Reserve online, pick up in store”, in addition to making the customer’s life much easier, bringing them more convenience, also increases the likelihood of conversion.
Another interesting strategy is to direct customers to local marketplaces, expanding your reach and making it easier for them to find what they need.
Increased connection with the public
The platform’s features are great for getting closer to your audience. As I mentioned, you can respond to reviews and interact directly with customers, which helps build a closer and more trustworthy relationship.
And, let’s face it, who doesn’t like to be heard and responded to quickly, right?
Additionally, being able to share posts and updates about your business keeps customers constantly informed. This helps make them feel valued and part of your brand.
So take advantage of these resources to strengthen your connection with your audience and transform each interaction into an opportunity for loyalty!
Increased presence in the customer journey
Your Business Profile helps your business be found by customers who are ready to make a purchase. Want to know how? Imagine this: consumers are searching for products or services and, at that moment, your company appears well-positioned in the results.
This makes their decision easier and increases the chances of conversion.
And, look, I can assure you that this makes all the difference! Many of these potential customers do research online in search of the best cost-benefit.
Therefore, being present in this channel and having competitive prices can be what really guarantees your sale. Don’t miss the opportunity to stand out when your customers are ready to act!
How do I know if Google My Business is working?
Understanding whether Google My Business is bringing results for your company is super important. The good news is that on the platform itself you can find several statistics that help you evaluate your online presence .
To access this data, just log in to the service page and click on “performance”.
By selecting this option, you will be able to view important data such as:
- Website hits: see how many users visited your website from your profile;
- Directions requests: see how many people have asked for directions to get to you;
- Photo Views: Find out how many times your photos have been viewed;
- Appointments: check how many were made from the profile;
- Calls: See how many calls were made directly from the Google search listing.
By interpreting this data, you will be able to identify possible bottlenecks in your Marketing strategies and make adjustments for improvements so that your online presence continues to generate positive results.
So, how about taking a look at this information and seeing how you can further optimize your strategy?
Strengthen your digital presence and have Orgânica as your partner!
Whether you’re a local, digital or global business, Google Business Profile is a powerful tool to increase your visibility and attract more customers.
And if you want a complete strategy to boost your digital presence and continue growing, a Digital Marketing agency like Orgânica can help you!
With our free SEO diagnosis, you can identify opportunities to grow and highlight your brand on Google. So, how about taking this step and transforming your online presence? Count on Orgânica to support you on this journey!
