Put Google’s FREE Business Profile to Work for You!
It’s no secret, Google wants to be the boss when it comes to the Internet.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
You can control what’s displayed about your company instead of relying on Google to serve up its own information. This is done with Google’s free Business Profile listings using the Google My Business (GMB) platform.
Please note: GMB is separate from the paid Google Advertising which is also a great way to take control of your information and advertise your business on Google.
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WHAT IS A GOOGLE MY BUSINESS (GMB) LISTING? Google keeps a massive database of business listings (and associated business information) that will sometimes appear to the right of your search results. These sidebar listings are called Google My Business listings and often include details such as photos, hours of operation, phone numbers, and 5-star ratings. HOW ARE GOOGLE MY BUSINESS LISTINGS CREATED? Google typically auto-generates Google My Business listings by pulling together information about your business from across the Internet. This means you may not need to create a listing for your business for one to exist. However, the automatic GMB may not be accurate or complete.
WHY ARE GMB LISTINGS IMPORTANT? GMB listings are used by Google to affect search results. This is especially true when someone searches on a specific type of business “near me” or when the search includes a location, such as “marketing companies Vandalia Ohio.” GMB listings generate the “pins” on Google Maps. If a company does not have a Google My Business Listing or if their GMB is inaccurate, it's less likely to appear in Google’s small map within the search results.
HOW CAN YOU CONTROL YOUR GMB LISTING? CLAIM IT! “Claiming” your Business Profile using Google My Business means you prove ownership of your company using a process described in Google support documents.
ONCE CLAIMED, WHAT CAN YOUR GMB LISTING DO FOR YOU? Control You can update and add information to your Google Business Profile. Now you control what’s published about your company. Communicate You can create regular updates about your company that can be read from your Business Profile. These updates can be short newsworthy items, promotional information, or anything else you think your customers will find important. And even more important than posting updates, once you claim your GMB, you can respond to customer reviews. This is so important. If someone leaves a scathing review (whether it’s true or not) you now have a way to publicly respond. Conversely, if someone leaves a glowing review, you can thank them. Don't wait. Claim your Google My Business listing today!
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