Google accounts for around 90% of all internet searches. If your business is not yet listed on this mammoth platform, you will be missing out on countless opportunities, mainly searches for local services.
There is help to get your business on the Google listings for those who are not yet listed. Google Business Profile (GBP) will not only assist you in establishing your online presence, it will help you stay ahead of your competitors and expand your business.
Together with its business-benefiting features, GBP includes tools for helping you cope with the current business environment under COVID-19 restrictions. You can keep your customers up-to-date on your current business operations and any limitations to your services.
Listing your business on GBP is a fundamental part of establishing your online presence and should be considered vital as having a website or social media presence. Here are five reasons why GBP is essential, along with a few future feature predictions for 2021.
EASILY UPDATE YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE INFORMATION
Updating your business information is quick and straightforward. You no longer have to sign-in to your GBP dashboard, as you can achieve updating through Google Search or Google Maps. All you need to do is be signed in to your Google account, and you can make changes through any device, even when on the go.
You can update information on any aspect of your business simultaneously. You can also create posts, reply to comments, add photos, comment on reviews, etc. These updated features make it easier to keep your customers informed and save you time.
MAKING ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT COVID-19
Safety measures and restrictions regarding COVID-19 vary depending on your type of business. GBP allows you to keep your customers quickly informed of your operations’ latest changes during these challenging times.
LIST YOUR SERVICES
You can now add new categories within GBP to showcase your services more accurately, making it easier for customers to find your niche. An accurate description of your services, including relevant keywords, will also help people find you.
MAKE APPOINTMENTS AND PROVIDE QUOTES
GBP provides a facility whereby customers can make appointments or receive quotes by clicking on your listing. It also allows you to respond quickly to product queries or enquiries. This efficiency for customers can help to increase your conversions and boost your sales.
GOOGLE GUARANTEE BADGE
An exciting and powerful feature of GBP is the Google Guarantee certification badge. Having this badge gives your business a visible sign of legitimacy. It gives potential customers confidence and trust in dealing with you rather than a competitor without a Google Guarantee badge.
2021 FEATURE PREDICTIONS FOR GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE
As GBP continues to evolve, we’ve put together a few predictions for what’s likely to become available in 2021:
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IMPROVED ATTRIBUTES
Google is always looking for ways to refine search results, and GBP’s improved attributes will help achieve this. You’ll be able to set the factual attributes for your business, such as the services and products you provide, location, opening hours, etc. Subjective attributes, such as popularity, value-for-money, etc., can be defined by your customers. These improved attributes will improve search results, allowing customers to find the best businesses quickly.
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VIDEO CONFERENCING
GBP will increase its integration of video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Skype, Webex, etc., with business listings. You will be able to interact face-to-face with remote customers to take bookings, issue quotes, and provide customer service. This connection with customers will put your business ahead of others that don’t use GBP.
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ENHANCED IMAGE INTELLIGENCE
Start using images with text in them to promote your business. Google is using enhanced image intelligence to read the text in images and presenting that in search results. Including text in your images will give you the edge over your competitors that don’t.
Conclusion
Localise can help you with all your Local SEO needs, including GBP. To help keep your business expanding, give us a call today.
