So you have a new business! Congratulations! How exciting! Now what? You know you need to get your business out to the world but you’re not sure how to do it. Well, don’t worry. Here is an easy and literally no-cost way to begin.
First of all you need a search engine. What’s a search engine?
According to Google, the definition of a search engine is:
“A program that searches for and identifies items in a database that correspond to keywords or characters specified by the user, used especially for finding particular sites on the World Wide Web.” With that said a good place to start would be to set up a “Google Business Profile” page. Your business would now be in the Google search engine and you would begin to get results when someone was looking for you or your type of business. By having a “Google Business Profile “ page, you would also have the opportunity to list your business on Google Maps and appear in local search engine results.
By taking advantage of this unique opportunity, you’ll be able to showcase the most essential details of your business, including but not limited to:
>Your business location
>Your phone numbers and websites.
>Links to your website
>Links to other websites
>Links to articles and newsletters
>Links to current and future events
And the best part of this is that it’s all FREE and FREE is good! There is absolutely no cost to use a “Google Business Profile “page.
So now you ask “What If I Have An Online Business?”
That’s OK! You don’t necessarily need a physical brick and mortar location to take advantage of this opportunity. As of January 2019 Google began offering this service to online businesses who service a specific area. This has been a tremendous help for the e-commerce trade.
So How Can I Improve My Local Visibility?
You’ve spent a great deal of money on advertising your business. Let’s say, for example, that you have a real estate company. By using your “Google Business Profile” page you are now able to improve your visibility. And by advertising your business through Google, your results could be huge! And with an increase in the number of inquiries becoming local searches you could benefit even further using this Google service.
So in order to optimize your “Google Business Profile” page, you will need to have as much information pertaining to your business as possible on it.
“So How Does This Work?”
It’s really very simple. For example, if someone types in the words, “real estate companies near me”, they will get results that will show the businesses that have a “Google Business Profile “page. They will then show them some of the local pages thereby showcasing their visibility. This form of advertising is highly valuable because it focuses on instant gratification and in today’s world that is key!
This gives you a huge advantage over traditional advertising which is often trial and error. It also allows you to find more highly qualified customers which in turn will increase your sales.
“So How Do I Optimize My Page?”
This is very important. If your ” Google Business Profile” page does not have accurate and up-to-date information, people may have a difficult time finding you. This could cost you sales and you could run the risk of losing their business because they will look somewhere else. Contact details and directions are important.
Because the Google algorithm changes every day you will need to be on top of it. Remember, if your information is not up-to-date and accurate, people will not be able to find you.
Articles and Reviews…. Why You Need Them!
In order to increase your visibility and your sales, you will need to write articles about your business on your “Google Business Profile” page. This is essential. If you are having an event, for example, you could write an article of about 300 words describing the event with a set date and details of the event. More people will attend if they know in advance when and where it will be held. Most posts will last only seven days but you can list the events for a longer period of time.
Reviews…..You always want good reviews but sometimes you may get negative ones. Never ignore them. Always respond to them professionally, courteously and in a timely manner. Thank your customers for their positive reviews also. Your customers will appreciate this and will want to tell others. Reviews can only help your business to improve and grow.
Reviews are the lifeblood of any business and good reviews are essential. Most businesses will strive to get them. Your reputation can depend on them. So always ask your customers to write a review for you.
So Let’s Review….
A Google Business Profile” page can only help your business grow.
Accurate information is critical.
You don’t need a physical location to use this service.
Advertising through your “Google Business Profile” page will increase your visibility and sales.
.Reviews and articles are very important.
.Best of all it’s FREE!!!
GOOD LUCK ?
