One question clients often ask us is which marketing tools they should focus on. We often point out tools that are overlooked. One of these is Google My Business. This tool is one of the best ways to keep customers up-to-date on changes with your business. However, many haven’t heard of it.

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business (GMB) is an account through which you can manage information that shows up in the Google 3-Pack. The 3-Pack is the method Google uses to display the top three results for local Search Engine Results Page (SERP) results. Information updated on Google My Business includes hours, phone numbers, and other contact information.

Location, Location, Location

If you have a physical location, keeping your Google My Business information up-to-date is essential to bringing in local traffic. According to Google, nearly half of all searches are local, meaning that users utilize phrases like “near me” in search engine entries. Therefore, based on their location data, you can expect to show up on the first page of Google search results with an updated Google My Business listing if you’re local to the user.

Here are six questions to ask yourself as you update your GMB:

1. When are you open?

Checking Google for store or restaurant hours has become an essential part of planning errands and social outings. Before your customer ever leaves home, the first thing they check are the hours that your location is open. Ensure these are up to date, including holiday hours, so they don’t arrive at your door to find that you’re not there.

2. Is your information current?

If you’ve recently moved or changed phone numbers, make sure those changes are done as soon as possible. It may also help to note the last time you updated your information on your GMB, so your customers know what they’re seeing is the latest update. Even if you keep your account well-updated, this note builds confidence in potential customers.

3. How can I communicate with customers?

If set up to do so through GMB, your customers can ask questions right from your Google listing. You receive an alert on your smartphone or another device as soon as someone submits their question. At that point, you can reply, making it a quicker form of communication than traditional emails or website contact forms.

4. How can customers make appointments?

If your business offers appointments, like in the case of a beauty salon, they can be set up through your GMB. If you choose to set up your account this way, your customers will be able to make appointments on their own time. They no longer have to worry about calling during business hours and can simply show up at the scheduled time.

5. Do you have an announcement to make?

GMB allows you to add posts to your profile. In these posts, you can make announcements relevant to your business, like daily specials for a restaurant or other special events. These announcements show up on both Google Search results and Maps, so you can reach your customers wherever they are.

6. Are your photos up to date?

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. That is why you should include photos on your GMB. Keep in mind that Google’s minimum size limit for images is 250 px x 250 px, so you’ll need images that are larger than that. To keep your brand consistent, GMB photos should match those on your website and social media profiles.

Photos that work best for this platform include those of your brick-and-mortar location if you have one, and products. Customers can also add images of your products and location to your GMB, so your photos need to stand out from theirs. This way, potential customers know what to expect when they arrive at your location or order your products.

These are just a few features of Google My Business. If kept up-to-date, this marketing tool can be your biggest asset. If you want to learn more about Google My Business, please contact Links Web Design for a free consultation.

Links Web Design is a Search Engine Marketing Company in Bangor, ME, and Fruitland Park, FL.