What is Google My Business?

If you operate your business in a specific location, Google My Business (GMB) is a free and handy tool. GMB helps you maintain your online visibility.

In addition, this tool allows you to promote your name. When a user types keywords relevant to your business, it’s important to be present with all the complete and compelling information about your business: at the right time and place, that is, on Google Maps. It is especially useful for Local SEO.

What are the advantages of using GMB?

• It increases your visibility on the Google search engine.
• You can interact with customers.
• It gives your customers a chance to express their opinions about your business.
• It helps people find your physical location. (Google Maps is the most used map globally for directions).

What is customer interaction in GMB?

• The company name is displayed following a search on Google, according to the search engine’s functionality.
• The company logo is displayed.
• The company website can be opened directly.
• You can read reviews from customers who use the company's services.
• A rating, based on the 5-star system, is displayed.
• General information about the business is presented.
• Product images are displayed.
• Links to the company's social media profiles are available.

The advantages of promoting through Google My Business:

• You have visibility in the first 10 results of Google searches. Businesses that appear in the first positions on Google receive more visitors than those that appear on the second page.
• Increase your conversion rate: The conversion rate is much higher for sites that appear in Google Maps results. Trust is a key factor in making purchasing decisions. The more confident a consumer feels, the more likely they are to buy. The credibility gained from Google is enough to increase the chances of visiting your store by 38% and the chances of purchasing by 29%.
• Increase business visibility: Many users will search for businesses in your area and get in touch with your business. In this way, you will increase the authority and notoriety of your brand.
• Improve your search ranking position and generate more traffic.

The Business Start Page or Dashboard contains:

• Company Name (top left).
• The card where the Verification Code from Google will be entered (see the middle of the screenshot below).
• Suggestions on how to further optimize your profile, such as uploading the logo. If the logo is already added, the next suggestion might be to add a description or services.
• You can add posts in GMB. A "post" can be:
  • A blog post (from your website);
  • A video;
  • Discounts (annual/seasonal or one-week offers);
  • Information about services/products (e.g., as a restaurant, you can announce that you have a fast menu).

You can add posts in GMB. A "post" can be:

• A blog post (from your website);
• A video;
• Discounts (annual/seasonal or one-week offers);
• Information about services/products (e.g., as a restaurant, you can announce that you have a fast menu).

Steps to create a post:

• Upload an image (from your computer or GMB images).
• Give your post a title.
• Set the period during which the post will be visible (recommended: one month).
• In the "More details" section, add the link to your business website.
• Finish by pressing "Publish."

Statistics you can see in GMB:

• Post title.
• The age of the post.
• How many views it has had since posting.
• The "Redeem Online" button, redirects the user directly to your website.

How to upload company images to Google My Business:

• Choose the picture for the logo.
• Choose the picture for the cover.
• The button on the right allows you to add images of the products or services offered by your company (you can upload several images at once).

Google My Business is an essential tool for businesses looking to improve their online presence, particularly for local SEO. By ensuring your business information is accurate and engaging, you can increase visibility on Google search and maps, interact with customers, and build credibility through reviews.

The ability to add posts, update images, and provide detailed business information directly on Google enhances the chances of driving more traffic to your business and increasing conversions. Whether you're a small local shop or a larger business, leveraging GMB can significantly boost your online reputation and help you stay competitive in your industry.