How to Manage Google My Business to Get More Customer in 2024

In today's digital-first world, establishing an online presence is crucial for businesses aiming to thrive and grow. Among the plethora of digital tools available, Google Business Profile, formerly known as Google My Business, stands out as a pivotal asset for businesses seeking to enhance their online visibility and customer engagement. This comprehensive guide aims to explain how to manage Google My Business and unlock the potential of Google Business Profile for businesses in 2024, providing insights and strategies to maximize its benefits.

What is Google Business Profile?

Google Business Profile is a free and versatile tool provided by Google, designed to help businesses manage their online presence across Google's various platforms, including Search and Maps. By creating a Google Business Profile, businesses can present valuable information to their customers, such as their location, contact details, operating hours, and services offered.

This tool is not merely a digital directory listing; it's a dynamic interface that allows businesses to interact with customers, receive and respond to reviews, and gain insights into customer behaviors. Whether a business operates a physical storefront, offers services at various locations, or even runs an online-only enterprise, Google Business Profile is instrumental in shaping how they appear and perform in the digital realm. The profile's accessibility and the widespread use of Google's services make it an indispensable tool for businesses looking to establish a strong digital footprint.

Why You Need a Google My Business Account

In the digital age, visibility is key to business success, and a Google My Business account is a cornerstone of online presence. It acts as a primary touchpoint for customers searching for your services or products on Google. This account elevates your visibility in local searches, significantly enhancing the likelihood of being discovered by potential customers. When a business appears in Google Search and Maps, it not only gains exposure but also earns credibility. Customers often consider a business more reliable when it has a detailed and active Google My Business profile.

Here are some examples of why you need to actively manage your Google My Business (GMB) account:

How many customers do you think find local businesses through Google Search and Maps monthly?

Over a billion.

Guess the percentage of local searches on Google that result in a purchase within 24 hours?

28%.

What do you think is the average increase in calls a business receives after verifying their Google My Business listing?

Up to 35%.

What percentage of Google My Business listing views occur on Search compared to Maps?

70% on Search, 30% on Maps.

How frequently do businesses with a Google My Business listing update their information?

On average, every 6 days.

What's the increase in the likelihood of a business being considered reputable if it has a Google My Business listing?

2.7 times more likely.

Guess how many photos are viewed daily on Google My Business listings?

Over 42 million.

This platform provides a direct line of communication between your business and your customers, enabling you to update them about your services, operating hours, and any other pertinent information swiftly. Moreover, it offers invaluable insights into customer interactions and preferences, which can guide your marketing strategies. In a nutshell, a Google My Business account is not just about being found; it's about building trust, fostering customer relationships, and tailoring your offerings to meet the evolving needs of your market. Active management ensures you reap the full benefits of this powerful tool.

How to Set Up a Google My Business Profile

A Google Business Profile is a crucial tool for businesses looking to establish an online presence and attract local customers. In this guide, we will walk you through each step of setting up your Google Business Profile, from signing in to Google to customizing your profile with essential information, photos, operation hours, and services.

Step 1: Sign In to Google:

If you don't already have one, create a Google account. You can do this by visiting https://accounts.google.com/SignUp.
Once you have a Google account, sign in by visiting https://www.google.com and clicking on the "Sign In" button in the top right corner.

Step 2: Access Google My Business:

After signing in, go to https://www.google.com/business/ and click the "Manage now" button.

Step 3: Add Your Business Information:

Click on the "Add your business to Google" option.
Enter your business name. Ensure it matches your legal business name.
Choose the appropriate category for your business (e.g., restaurant, clothing store).
Add your business's physical location. If you don't have a physical location, you can specify that you deliver goods or services to customers.
Include your business phone number and website URL if applicable.

Step 4: Verify Your Business:

Google will prompt you to verify your business. This is crucial to confirm that you are the rightful owner.
The verification options may include receiving a postcard at your business address, a phone call, or an email. Follow the instructions provided to complete this process.

Step 5: Customize Your Profile:

Once verified, you can start customizing your profile.
Add high-quality photos of your business, including your logo, interior, exterior, and products.
Fill in your business's operating hours, including special hours for holidays or events.
Add a detailed business description that accurately represents your offerings and services.
Include information about your accepted payment methods.
Add any attributes that apply to your business, such as wheelchair accessibility, outdoor seating, or Wi-Fi availability.

Step 6: Add Services and Products (if applicable):

If you offer specific services or products, use this section to list them with descriptions and prices.

Step 7: Publish Your Google Business Profile:

Review all the information you've entered to ensure accuracy.
Click "Publish" to make your profile visible to potential customers.

Important: Completing All Sections Is Vital

Completing all the sections of your Google Business Profile is not just a suggestion; it's a critical aspect of your online presence. While it may be time-consuming, remember that you only need to do it once. Here's why it's essential:

Maximize Visibility: Each section you complete provides valuable information to potential customers. The more details you provide, the more likely your profile will appear in search results and attract visitors.
Build Trust: A fully filled-out profile instills trust in potential customers. It demonstrates that you are a legitimate business with a professional online presence.
Inform and Engage: Thoroughly filling out your profile gives customers the information they need to make informed decisions about your products or services. It also allows you to engage with them effectively, answering questions and responding to reviews.
Stand Out: Completing all sections, including adding photos, services, and products, helps your business stand out from competitors who may have incomplete profiles.

In summary, while setting up your Google Business Profile may require some initial effort, the long-term benefits are well worth it. Completing all sections ensures that your profile is comprehensive and appealing to potential customers, ultimately helping your business thrive in the digital landscape. Remember, you only need to do it once, and the ongoing benefits are significant.

How to Optimize Your Google My Business Profile

Creating an optimized Google My Business (GMB) profile is key to increasing your online visibility and attracting potential customers. In this section, we will explore strategies for optimizing your GMB profile to ensure it stands out and drives more business to your doorstep:

1. Complete and Accurate Information:

The foundation of a successful GMB profile is accurate and comprehensive information.
Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent with your website and other online listings.
Double-check details like website URLs, business hours, and accepted payment methods to avoid confusion.

2. Choose the Right Categories:

Selecting the most relevant business categories helps Google understand your offerings.
Be specific and choose the primary category that best represents your business.
Add additional categories that accurately describe your services to broaden your reach.

3. Use High-Quality Images and Videos:

Visual content can significantly impact your profile's appeal.
Upload high-resolution images of your business exterior, interior, products, and team members.
Share engaging videos to showcase your products, services, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business.

4. Manage and Respond to Customer Reviews:

Customer reviews play a crucial role in your online reputation.
Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews.
Respond promptly to all reviews, both positive and negative, to show you value customer feedback.
Address concerns professionally and work to resolve issues publicly when possible.

5. Incorporate Keywords for SEO:

Include relevant keywords in your business description, services, and posts.
Use location-based keywords to target local customers.
Optimize your profile to align with search queries potential customers might use when looking for businesses like yours.

6. Regularly Update with News and Offers:

Keep your profile fresh and engaging by regularly posting updates, news, and offers.
Share information about upcoming events, promotions, or special discounts.
These updates not only attract attention but also show that your business is active and responsive.

7. Utilize Special Features and Attributes:

Depending on your business category, you can take advantage of special features like class ratings, sustainability practices, highlights, check-in and out times, and amenities (for hotels).
Restaurants and bars can upload menus, dish photos, and popular dishes.
Service-oriented businesses can display a list of services.
Healthcare providers in the U.S. can add health insurance information.
Use buttons tailored to your category, such as appointment bookings, reservations, and orders.
Add factual attributes to your profile, such as wheelchair accessibility, free Wi-Fi, outdoor seating, or LGBTQ+ friendly status.

8. Add Products to Your Profile:

If you sell products, ensure your inventory is up-to-date on your Business Profile. Your products can also appear in Google Shopping.
Manually add products by going to the dashboard, clicking on "Products," and selecting "Get Started."

9. Monitor Insights and Analytics:

Use Google My Business Insights to track the performance of your profile.
Analyze data on views, clicks, and calls to understand user behavior.
Adjust your strategy based on the insights to continually improve your profile's performance.

10. Encourage User Engagement:

Encourage customers to ask questions and interact with your profile.
Respond promptly to inquiries and engage with users through posts and updates.
Building an active and engaged community around your business can boost your profile's visibility.

11. Take Advantage of Google's Free Marketing Tools:

Google offers businesses access to a free marketing kit with stickers, social posts, printable posters, and even the option to create a custom video (after setting up your Business Profile).

In conclusion, optimizing your Google My Business profile is a continuous process that involves providing accurate information, engaging with customers, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends. By following these strategies, you can enhance your online presence, attract more customers, and ultimately grow your business. An optimized GMB profile is a powerful tool to help your business thrive in the digital age.

How to Manage Your Google My Business Profile with ReviewClimbo

As described in the previous sections, managing your online reputation is crucial for the success of your business. But did you know that you can supercharge your Google My Business (GMB) profile with the help of tools like ReviewClimbo? In this section, we will explore how ReviewClimbo can empower you to manage your GMB profile effectively and efficiently.

What is ReviewClimbo?

ReviewClimbo is a comprehensive review management platform designed to help businesses consolidate, streamline, and optimize their online reputation management efforts. With a wide array of features, ReviewClimbo can be your go-to tool for handling customer reviews and gaining valuable insights for growth and improvement.

What ReviewClimbo Can Do for You:

1. Review Aggregation:

Seamlessly manage reviews from over 20 different sources, ensuring that you stay on top of customer feedback across the web.
ReviewClimbo consolidates reviews from multiple platforms into a single dashboard, providing a comprehensive view of customer feedback.
This feature ensures that you never miss a review, whether it's on Google, Facebook, or other review sites.

2. Response Management:

Improve engagement and service quality by responding to reviews directly from the ReviewClimbo dashboard.
For Google and Facebook reviews, you can reply without leaving the platform. For other platforms, ReviewClimbo conveniently directs you to the respective site to respond.
NEW IN 2024: AI REPLY: Leverage AI-powered professional responses for Google and Facebook reviews, saving you time and effort.

3. Review Requests:

Streamline the process of soliciting feedback from customers through manual or automated requests.
Increase the volume and frequency of reviews by making it easy for customers to share their experiences.
NEW IN 2024: AUTOMATIC REMINDER: Automatically send a reminder after 3 days and 7 days if your customer has not open the link.
NEW IN 2024: AUTOMATED REQUREST: Automatically send review requests to your customers, ensuring a consistent flow of feedback. As an example you can send automatically a request for a review 3 days after completing an online sale

4. Personalized Feedback Landing Page:

ReviewClimbo provides a personalized landing page where customers can easily leave feedback or a review.
This feature streamlines the review collection process and encourages customer participation.

5. Review Display Widget:

Businesses can use ReviewClimbo's customizable widget to showcase their best reviews on their website.
This enhances credibility and trust by displaying positive feedback prominently.

6. Social Media Integration:

Share standout reviews on platforms like Facebook and Instagram directly from ReviewClimbo.
Broaden the reach and impact of positive feedback by leveraging social media.

7. Platform Integration:

Easily import reviews from various platforms by adding your page link.
This facilitates a unified and efficient review management experience by keeping all your reviews in one place.

8. Analytics and Reporting:

Gain valuable insights into review trends, customer satisfaction metrics, and performance analytics.
Informed decision-making becomes effortless with detailed data at your fingertips.

9. Mobile-Friendly:

Access and manage your reviews from anywhere with ReviewClimbo's mobile-friendly interface available on the web, iOS, and Android.

Choose Your Approach: Do It Yourself (DIY) or Done For You (DFY)

Do It Yourself (DIY):

If you prefer a hands-on approach, ReviewClimbo provides you with all the essential tools and features listed above. You can efficiently manage your online reputation independently, making use of the platform's user-friendly interface.

Done For You (DFY):

For those who require expert assistance, ReviewClimbo offers a comprehensive "Done For You" service, which includes the following additional features:

Enhanced Review Widget: Enjoy advanced design options, filtering capabilities, and an improved photo UI for your website's review section.
We Respond to Your Reviews: Let our team of experts craft tailored responses to your customer reviews on your behalf.
Monthly Reports: Receive in-depth customer feedback and trend analysis reports to help you make informed decisions.
Dedicated Account Manager: Benefit from personalized support and ongoing reputation management from a dedicated account manager.
Priority Support: Enjoy quick access to our customer service team for any assistance you may need.

In conclusion, ReviewClimbo is your all-in-one solution for managing your online reputation effectively. Whether you choose to take a DIY approach or opt for the convenience of the "Done For You" service, ReviewClimbo empowers you to leverage the power of customer reviews to enhance your business's credibility and success. Incorporating ReviewClimbo into your GMB profile management strategy can be a game-changer. With its powerful suite of features, you can not only manage reviews efficiently but also enhance your online reputation and customer engagement. Take advantage of ReviewClimbo's capabilities to unlock the full potential of your Google My Business profile and drive your business to new heights.