You may have a great website and you can do as much advertising as you like but part of people’s buying journey is researching you. This is where Google comes in.
Make it easy to be found by having a verified and up to date Google Business profile.
Here’s how to get started:
- Sign in to your Google account, or create one by going to myaccount.google.com
- Go to ‘Create a profile’ and follow the simple prompts. The better you do here the better your profile will be found. See the advice below for what the benefits are when you do this right.
- Once done you will need to click the red ‘Verfiy Now’ banner. People can’t find you until you do.
- This may take some time for Google to verify. It could be days, but make a diary note and keep checking by typing in your business name. Once your business appears on the right hand side of the screen you know you are ready. Be patient as it is worth it.
- Once you are verified you can ask customers to review you. There are clever ways you can do this – Contact me for more on this.
Business location: If you have a commercial premise this is important. Type in your address and you may need to move the arrow to the right location. If you are a home based business you may choose to say ‘No’ to this prompt.
Service area: Keep this realistic as the tighter you go with this the better you will be found by locals.
Phone number and Web address: Make it easy to be contacted when you are found by having up to date and full details.
Services: Giving a list of ‘services’ will help refine Google search results.
Logo and photos: A ‘logo’ helps identify you are the right business and ‘photos’ qualify you in their personal search. As a guide the Size for each should be between 500×500 and 2000×2000 pixels.
Google Reviews: Having reviews will work in two ways
- It gives search engines and AI a better understanding of your business for recommendations.
- It helps when people are researching you that you are a trusted trader.
Google Updates: Google will update your business information from time to time and this is shown in a blue colour. You have the option to accept or decline these. A good idea is to check in to your Google account each month to keep these updates current and adjust your information as things change. This will help Google consider your profile active and more relevant.
Having a Verified Google Business Profile is a hygiene factor these days so if you don’t have one it’s time you do – it’s a right of entry to compete in today’s market.
(Written by Chris Norris from a session between members of the Independent Board facilitated by Tim Hansen – Harcourts)