Google Business Profile (GBP, formerly Google My Business or GMB) is Google’s free tool designed to help businesses manage their online presence across Google platforms. As a centralized platform, it allows businesses to enhance online visibility and connect directly with customers. With GBP, you also can update your business information that’s displayed in Google Search & Maps, engage with customers, and receive valuable insights into your business.
Why Is GBP Important?
Often, GBP is the first impression customers have when searching for your business or looking for services. Having a strong online presence is essential for increasing your online visibility and attracting more customers. Plus, you get the added benefit of being able to track metrics like phone calls made from your GBP listing, views, clicks, and customer actions, giving you better insight into how people are engaging with your business.
Key Features of Google Business Profile
- Business Information
You can include key information such as your physical address, phone number, website URL, and hours of operation. You also can make quick changes to any important details so that the public has accurate, updated information, including business sales and promotions.
- Reviews & Ratings
Many customers search reviews and ratings when looking for new products and services. Because positive reviews boost business credibility and provide personal insight into how customers feel about your business, responding to reviews is an effective way to build trust with potential customers and maintain a positive reputation.
- Photos & Videos
GBP allows businesses to upload photos and videos to showcase their products and services. You can also include interior and exterior photos of your location, which can play a significant role in attracting new customers and encouraging audience engagement.
- Posts & Updates
This great feature allows businesses to create posts and share updates, promotions, and events directly in Google Search results and maps. With this personal avenue to stay engaged with and visible to current and new customers, your business remains relevant.
- Insights & Analytics
With the ability to monitor analytics to track metrics like views, clicks and actions customers take, you can better understand your business’ online performance functions and receive insight into where improvements can be made.
How to Enhance Your Online Presence with Google Business Profile
In our current digital age, keeping your GBP up to date shows that you can compete with others in your industry to provide the best services and products. Here are a few additional ways that GBP can improve your online presence:
- Engage with customers through reviews
Commenting and liking reviews helps customers feel connected and heard. By engaging with customers via reviews, potential customers are given the security that your business provides exceptional customer service as well as providing a public view of how issues can be resolved.
- Improve Click-Through Rates
Eye catching posts can improve your click-through rate in search results. When users see content that relates to them, they are more likely to click on the post and view your website or visit your business. Aligning with your customers’ experience is a great way to build trust and credibility because it demonstrates that you understand their needs and offer expertise in the field.
- Boost local SEO
When businesses are active on GBP, Google considers this as a factor in local search rankings, which refers to people searching for your business or services within a reasonable distance. Posting regularly signals to Google that your business is active and relevant to local search queries, and this reliability boosts your SEO ranking.
By keeping your GBP profile up to date and active, you are providing customers with direct insight into the culture and efficiency of your business. You can also leverage GBP features to boost SEO and attract more customers to your website.
At Green Closet Creative, we offer a data-centric approach to developing, optimizing, and analyzing marketing campaigns to maximize exposure to your target audience. Reach out to us to learn more!