Um, how did we ever get through life without Google? It’s become such a big part of everyday life. If you don’t know something, just google it, right? This is precisely why it’s so critical for small businesses to have an active, up-to-date Google My Business listing. When you’re a small fish in a big pond, how can you compete? Your GMB account can help if utilized to its fullest potential. Get ready, we are going to show you how to master it like pro.

Your Google My Business Page

This is where it all starts. Don’t be one of those businesses that set up your GMB account and forget about it. Treat your page like an extension of your sales force because well, that’s really what it is. When filling out your page, complete all the fields that Google asks for. Be true to your business and what makes it unique. This is your chance to show off and strut your stuff! Google uses these fields for customer searches and will only work to your advantage if you have relevant content there. Also, some businesses don’t know this but if your Google My Business listing is not complete, someone else could go in and add information. Yes, that’s right. Outsiders, even competitors, can make suggestions through the “suggest an edit” link. That’s why it’s so important that you check your listing regularly to make sure the most accurate information is listed. You can keep an eye on any updates under the “review updates” tab.  

 

“Know this Place” Feature

This feature can be most useful to build credibility for your business by leveraging user generated content. However, you must be careful as users can also post negative remarks. If you’re a half glass full type of company, negative remarks can be useful and used as a medium for improvement. Simply respond, make it right with the customer and you’re good to go! If you’re not a glass half full type of company, well…..  

Show Off With Images

Now, the fun part! Use your page to show off how amazing your small business is and promote what makes you so different from your competitors. Do you have a stellar coffee shop with a cozy look and feel that makes people want to bask in the love of coffee, day in and day out? Then post pictures so people can see how awesome it is! Make sure your images are crisp and shot with a creative eye for best results.  

Reviews

Customers rely heavily on reviews when considering a new product or service. It’s super beneficial for a potential customer and for you as a small business owner. You can learn so much about what customers are saying about your business and respond accordingly. It’s also a good way to increase engagement and build your fan-base to drive traffic either to your website or into your store.  

My Google Posts

View this as a billboard for your company. Posting can help promote special events, discounts or anything new/exciting going on with your local business. For example, if a winery has a wine tasting with live music event every Friday night, posting would be most beneficial to advertise event details, menus and images of previous wine nights.  

Google My Business Insights

One of the coolest parts of Google My Business is its insights tool. You can see how your customers use search and maps to find your listing. You can also see what they do once they get to your page. It’s an amazing way to explore customer actions and gain more insight into their search patterns to better serve them.     We hope this post will give you a glimpse into the importance of Google My Business for local businesses. Check back soon for more useful tips on how to leverage your small business in a big world of competition. If you need help managing your Google My Business page or if you’d like to know more about the services ARK has to offer, email us or comment below! Also, follow us on Facebook and Instagram for industry news, inspiration, and helpful tidbits for finding small business success. Sincerely, The ARK Crew

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