7 Reasons Why You Should Have a Google Business Profile
With 90% of internet searches done on Google, not having a Google Business Profile can deter potential customers from visiting your physical store or website.
If you don't have a Google Business Profile for your company, you should consider creating one. It puts your business on the map — literally.
The Google Business Profile is also free, a crucial aspect for many solopreneurs.
With 90% of internet searches done on Google, not having a Google Business Profile can deter potential customers from visiting your physical store or website.
On the other hand, having a well-maintained Google Business Profile gives legitimacy to your venture. From that angle alone, setting up a Google Business Profile should be at the top of your to-do list.
The Google Business Profile Provides a Snapshot of Your Company
Whether customers want to know your business hours, your store's exact location, or how to contact you, the Google Business Profile has the answers.
Shoppers can also leave a Google Review or upload pictures.
If you have a website, you can link it to your Google Business Profile. This allows potential customers to visit your website directly from the Google Business Profile.
You can also list your social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Your Google Business Profile is a great starting point for someone looking to buy from you.
Here is another great tip: If you have a physical store, your business will show up in Google Maps with the information from your Google Business Profile, including your star rating.
7 Reasons Why You Should Create a Google Business Profile
There are probably more reasons to create a Google Business Profile, but these seven are high on my list.
Reason 1: Visibility
Businesses with a Google Business Profile get priority in local searches, increasing your brand's visibility to potential customers and improving your growth prospects.
Reason 2: Information accuracy
Ensure your Google Business Profile information about opening hours, store address, and telephone number is always accurate. Many shoppers look at your Google Business Profile before visiting your website. Google makes it very user-friendly because this information automatically appears in Google Search and Google Maps.
Reason 3: Legitimacy
After setting up your Google Business Profile, Google will mail you a postcard to the address provided in the profile if your business has a physical location. If you are a service business covering a specific geographic area, Google will email you a verification code. In both cases, you have to enter this number to get verified. When you do, Google displays a small badge with a tickmark beside your logo.
Reason 4: Higher search ranking
Google Search is all about the relevance of the search result to the user. When someone searches for a plumber in a specific region, Google prioritizes companies servicing that region over those hundreds of miles away. They are less relevant because these out-of-area plumbers are less likely to respond to your service call. If Google knows the address of your business, your company is ranked higher in local searches.
Reason 5: Customer engagement
Google makes it easy for customers to leave a review and for business owners to request one. In your Google Business Profile, you can create review links to email your customers.
Reason 6: Professional appearance
A Google Business Profile displaying regular operating hours, proper contact information, customer reviews, and links to your website and social media can make your company appear more professional, setting it apart from others who might view their businesses only as side hustles.
Reason 7: Additional marketing channel
One of the biggest challenges of small businesses is that no one knows they exist. A Google Business Profile is an easy way to tell potential customers what you offer, how they can reach you, and what other customers think about you.
In that sense, your Google Business Profile is an additional marketing channel to connect and engage with potential customers. It is not a website or social media replacement. Add stunning photos to your profile and display an easy-to-read round logo. But make sure that the content you publish follows your brand guidelines. You don't want to confuse your customers into thinking your business is someone else's.
Final Thoughts
A Google Business Profile is a phenomenal tool for small companies to connect with potential customers, especially when they are local. You don't even need a website. You can collect and request reviews and respond to them directly from your profile. Businesses with a physical location appear on Google Maps, where shoppers can get directions. And the best part is it is free.
