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Published September 13th 2022

What is a Google Business Profile?

Today, basically every consumer search begins with Google, making Google Business Profile the digital storefront of any business. 

Google Business Profile (formerly called Google My Business) is a listing service that allows you to register your business on Google. Once you are registered, your business will be visible across Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping whenever people search for your brand name—or even if they search for brands or services that are similar to yours. 

A Google Business Profile includes: 

  • Business description
  • Overview of your products and services, your primary contract information
  • Links to your website and your social account and section for customer reviews 

What does this all mean? Well, many customers rely on online search to connect with businesses and brands today. With Google holding 92% of the global search engine market, Google Business Profile is the ultimate online space for customer-business interaction. 

With a Google Business Profile, you can: 

  • Boost your online presence
  • Highlight your products and services
  • Gain valuable audience insights 
  • Attract new customers to your business

Therefore, having a Google Business Profile is a great way to promote your business online and grow your customer base. 

Even better, it is completely free to get a Google Business Profile. This means, you have a free advertising tool at your fingertips to target and engage with millions of prospective customers on Google. 

Why do you need a Google Business Profile?

Showcase your business online 

Google Business Profile allows you to include all the key info any prospecting customer might need. You can highlight your company profile, your opening hours, contact details, and location directory and more. Hence, customers know where and how to reach out to you. 

Besides, you can show your customers who you are and what you value by sharing your photos, videos, service options, and other business attributes. 

Research shows that having videos and photos in your business profile generate more clicks to your profile. All this increases your odds of capturing customer interest and leading them to your store or website. 

Build trust with your customers through reviews 

Google Business Profile includes Google reviews and questions section where customers can ask questions and leave reviews. By answering such questions and responding to reviews, you can turn negative customer experiences into positive, establishing trust with your customers.

Furthermore, you can request for more reviews from online visitors who have clicked on or shared your profile. 

High-quality reviews are central to helping you build the ultimate online reputation, guiding future customers in their purchase decisions online or leading them to your physical store.

Gain insights to improve your products or services 

The Google Business Profile Insights section provides valuable data about your online audience. Views, Engagement, Clicks, and Audience data help you understand your customers and gain valuable insights. 

For example, Audience gives a summary of your online customers’ profiles including age, gender, and location, allowing you to target them better. Views provide a breakdown of your profile views from Google Search and Maps, helping you to identify whether people find you though map directory or local search.

Google Business Profile also provides insights into Source of your profile visits; whether your customers directly search your name, or brands or categories related to your business. So, you know which side of your business profile you need to focus on to direct traffic to your website or physical store.

How to set up a Google Business Profile 

Follow these easy steps to set up your business profile. 

  • Create a Google account for your business 
  • Add your business name, address, service area (for service businesses)
  • Select your business category (whether you are a retail shop or restaurant or hotel)
  • Add your contact information 
  • Verify account and get started

Once your business profile has been verified, it will appear on Google Search and Google Map results. 

That’s a wrap!

Whilst listing your business on Google is an essential first step, that alone is not sufficient. You need to optimize your business profile to help you stand out from the crowd and grow your business. 

If you would like to learn more about how we can help you leverage your Google Business Profile for success, then click through to read our How to use Google Business Profile to engage and attract new customers guide.

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