10 Jun Google My Business Profile – What’s New?
Beginning July 2022, the Google My Business mobile app will be moved to the Google Maps app. You can now access and manage your business profile from within the Google Maps app. If you don’t have the Google Maps app, download it now to easily update your business listing and connect with your customers.
Google My Business is now Google Business Profile, Google has added several new features to help business owners see how customers navigate their business listings on Google. Google is trying to make GMB the most efficient tool for local businesses to improve online presence, reach potential customers, get discovered, and continue their communication with new customers. Google Business Profile (previously Google My Business) is basically managing a profile aimed specifically for local businesses to improve search rankings with local Search Engine Optimization and customer reviews.
Google Business Profile is essential to ranking well in local search results. Google My Business will help customers find your business and manage your business information on Google with Business Profile. These features are designed to get you up to speed quickly, so you can improve your business’s presence online.
What you can do with a Google Business Profile
Maintain accurate info about your business online
-Let Google know your hours, website, phone number, and location (a street address, service area, or place marker, depending on your business).
-Use the mobile app to keep up with your online presence wherever you are.
Interact with customers
-Post photos of your business and it’s products and services.
-Collect and respond to reviews from customers.
Attract new customers
-Improve how your business appears online so new customers can find you.
-Point customers to your website.
-When you’re ready, consider using location-based ads with Smart campaigns in Google Ads to reach an even larger audience.
Google My Business Posts
One of the best features Google My Business offers on its platform, allows for businesses to communicate directly with their audiences through posts. Attach a captivating image and some compelling text to a post and watch profile views and buying actions increase.
Google has four different post types available:
What’s New– This post type is best used to keep customers updated on what’s happening with your business.
Events– These posts give the option to set a start/end date and advertise special events such as fundraisers, demonstrations, classes, and more.
Offer– Use offer posts to promote special offers and discounts. Be sure to include any coupon codes as well as terms and conditions.
Product– Product posts are a great way to provide detailed information on a product such as pricing, special features, and more.
You can manage the way your business appears online in several ways:
Search engine optimization, or SEO, refers to how results appear when someone uses a search engine like Google. We call these organic search results. You can’t pay to change how and where organic search results show up. Your results are determined by a number of factors, like how relevant they are to the original search, etc. Learn how to improve your SEO.
Search engine marketing, or SEM, refers to ads you buy to show up in search results—it’s what you can do with Google’s online advertising program, Google Ads. When you’re ready to advertise your business, we suggest that you get started with the easy-to-use Smart campaigns in Google Ads.
Your Google Business Profile helps you manage local results that appear in different ways on Maps and Search. These results are tailored to specific regions and help users find businesses nearby. Learn how Google ranks local results.
To recap: SEO, SEM, and management of local results are all different ways you can improve your online presence.
Here is what you can do:
- View latest reviews and star ratings
- Reply to your Google reviews quickly
- Create Google Ads – faster and much easier
- Create a Google post in a quick popup and promote your special offers
- View Google analytics and insights
- Update your GMB listing (business information, phone number, business description business category, etc.)
Key Takeaways
- Claim your business via Google Search and Google Maps
- Create and verify new profiles easily
- Manage multiple locations via Business Profile Manager
- Optimize your Google Business Profile to gain new customers