As more consumers turn to the Internet and especially Google to search for products and services, Google My Business (GMB) has become one of the most essential tools for businesses in every sector and industry.
GMB is a free, easy-to-use, and effective tool for all types of businesses and organisations to manage their online presence on Google. It includes a wide range of services and tools including reviews, location maps, and search.
All you need to do to take advantage of this tool is to claim your GMB listing, verify information about your business, and start driving organic traffic.
Here are 10 other useful things you probably didn’t know about Google My Business:
1. You Can Reclaim Your GMB Listing
What happens when someone else somehow claims your GMB listing? You may have probably lost your login or an employee leaves your company with the login details and claims your listing.
The good news is that you can easily get your Google Local Listing back, thanks to Google’s advanced built-in support features. Unlike in the past when you had to rely on email support only, you can now call and talk to a Google My Business support representative and reclaim your listing.
You will need an email address from your business domain to reclaim your GMB listing. Just go to Google My Business Support page and reach the nearest call centre to reclaim your GMB listing.
2. You Can Create an Offer with Google Posts
Google Posts are quite hot at the moment, probably because they appear in local finder results and the fact that you can even create an offer inside the posts. You can use the “offer” type Google posts to announce an ongoing discount to your followers.
For example, if your business is giving a discount, just create a post with something like “10% OFF” for new followers to reward and attract more customers to your business. Use properly designed and attractive images to attract your audience to the offer.
3. Messaging in GMB
Google also allows you to connect with followers and customers through messaging in GMB. When a person finds your business on Google local search, he or she can easily send a message to you directly from your GMB listing. You can also respond to the customer through messaging.
The customer’s text message will reach your cell phone via Google My Business app. Keep in mind that the messaging option is only available on mobile devices. It doesn’t show up on desktop or laptop devices. So, ensure you download the app and link it to your page (available on Android Google Play and Apple Appstore).
4. Link to Gift Card Page
It’s now possible to link a gift card or donation page in your Google My Business listing. Google allows businesses to add links to their Google My Business listings that customers can click on to make donations or buy gift cards.
Click this link to watch the video from our Director, Yos as he shows how to make use of this feature.
5. Add a List of Products and Services to Your GMB Listing
After a recent update, Google now allows you to add a custom list of products and services to your GMB listing.
GMB provides a wide range of suggested services to choose from, such as plumber or lawyer, which you can use to add your custom services or products.
To use the service, just sign in to GMB, find the location you want to manage, click the Info menu, then add your products or services by editing the Services section.
6. You Can Add Attributes to Your GMB Listing
Google allows you to add or edit attributes to your GMB listing. Attributes are useful because they allow your customers to know more about your business and what it has to offer.
So, if you run a restaurant, women clothes store, or furniture store, you can add relevant and helpful attributes to your GMB profile and stand out among your competitors.
The attributes will appear on your profile in Google Search and Maps results.
7. Adding Photos Have an Impact on Local Map Ranking
Google has done several changes in its Local SEO on factors such as algorithm updates, new listing features, increased personalisation, and much more.
What most business owners probably don’t know is that adding photos or even videos has an impact on their ranking on Google’s local map search results.
The key to boosting your ranking is adding photos and videos relevant to what people are searching for. Photos and videos showcase your products and services, tell the story of your brand or business, and show up on results for relevant search queries.
8. Other People Can Make Changes to Your Google My Business Listing
It’s indeed true that other people, including your competitors, can make changes or make suggestions to edit your GMB listing.
This is an important factor to consider as the number of spammers and business rivals seeking to lead your potential customers in the wrong direction.
Fortunately, Google sends GMB account administrators a notification email whenever an edit has been suggested to ensure that you are aware of what the other person wants to post or edit in your GMB listing.
However, it’s best to check your page from time-to-time in case the notification email doesn’t go through which we experienced before.
9. It is Possible to Remove Fake Reviews From GMB
It’s said that 93% of consumers today read customer reviews before making a purchase decision. It’s, therefore, important to ensure that your GMB listings are free from fake or negative reviews.
Fortunately, you can either flag or contact support to remove any fake review that may leave a negative impact on your company’s online reputation. Google also removes reviews that violate their terms of service.
To remove a fake review, click on the 3 dots above the review you want to remove and select the option that says “Flag as Inappropriate.” You can also contact support and request for the fake review to be pulled down.
10. You Can Print Your Customer Reviews or Share Them on Your Social Media Channels
It’s now possible to print out stickers and reviews from your Business profile page and share them with potential clients as social proof of the value your business provides.
Google even allows you to share reviews on your social media channels by creating social posts that highlight your business and posting them on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many more.
Click here to open Google Marketing Kit.
Conclusion
There are many more useful things you can do to promote and grow your business on GMB.
Take time to explore all the features and functions at your disposal when you claim your Google My Business listing.
