Have you managed to join the ranks of thriving young entrepreneurs? Perhaps you've been running your business for some time, but until now, online promotion has been neglected because contacts have just "poured in"? That's great, but... it's always worth being one step ahead. Especially in business! See how to quickly complete the process of creating a virtual Google business card and get your name out to an even wider audience. From the best side!
The times when we looked for information about the company we were interested in in the large book "Panorama Firm" are fortunately gone.
Now we always have the information and promotional news we need at our fingertips. Just grab your smartphone and type the right question into the search box. We've got it!
(The rest of the article can be found below the form)
If you run a business, Google is not only a treasure trove of knowledge for you, but also the best banner ad. Interestingly, it's partially free! Therefore, it would be a sin not to take advantage of its benefits. The first step? Below.
Google My Business – what is it and how does a Google business card work?
Let's play a game of "Quick Question, Quick Answer": Where do you look for information about the company whose services you want to use? Google?! We heard Google! Let's fire up the fanfare.
Google has over 91% share among all search engines and processes nearly 3,5 billion queries every day!
According to Social Media Today, a staggering 46% of searches involve local activities. This means that almost half of people using Google search are looking for information about events, services, and shops in their immediate region. And they'll likely take advantage of some of these offers soon!
Do you know that…
Research conducted in the UK in November 2020 found that during the pandemic, 57% of consumers were more likely to choose products and services offered by local shops and suppliers. Over half of respondents declared their intention to maintain this trend even after the restrictions were fully lifted. A full 43% of respondents saw supporting local initiatives as positive for the economy as a whole.
Do you run a business? This is reason enough for you to establish a closer business relationship with Google. Check out our offer for effective local search engine optimization!
Google Virtual Business Card
Freshly printed stationery, polished business cards, and even pens with your company logo. Everything is ready and waiting to be displayed on your desk. However, if you don't attract anyone truly interested in your offer, you can give the gadgets to Aunt Wanda for Christmas.
Help potential customers find themselves and get to know your product or service. Show them the way to your business and… prepare a welcome package.
Do you know that…
86% of people use Google Maps to locate a business address. Nearly 76% of them will visit a store within a single day, and 28% will purchase a desired product.
This is another reason why it's worth creating a Google My Business account. What is it?
This is a collection of the most important data about your business from a customer's perspective. It's presented on a silver platter, in an accessible and transparent format.
In short, your Google Business Card contains important information about your business, such as:
- Company name
- Location – useful for those who want to visit your business in person. Importantly, Google's algorithm can automatically modify your business location if it finds new information about the company's "relocation."
- A website address – redirecting directly to your website.
- Track – based on Google Maps.
- Opening hours – which are worth updating, for example, during vacation and holiday periods. Don't have the time? Don't worry, an email automatically sent by Google will remind you about the option to change it.
- Phone – with the possibility of automatic connection.
- Types of payments accepted – so that no customer will be surprised by the lack of a terminal.
- Question and Answer Form – which can significantly relieve the Customer Service Centre or other Customer Service Centre.
- Your customers' opinions – positive and… negative! Recommendations are incredibly powerful and are one of the few known factors that influence our business listing's visibility in search results. They build customer trust, help with purchasing decisions, and increase click-through rates. It's hard to find a better motivation to maintain a high standard! 🙂
A well-designed and updated Google My Business listing will ensure your online visibility, both globally and locally. Additionally, a presence on Google Maps will help your potential customers find the shortest route to your location.
What else do you gain by creating a Google My Business account? You can showcase your business and offerings in photos and eye-catching videos.
With engaging posts that are active for 7 days, you can captivate customers with your words. Regularly published, high-quality posts, no longer than 300 words, provide free advertising displayed at the bottom of your listing. This will also improve your listing's Google rankings, and you'll gain a positive image in the eyes of your target audience as a bonus. Nothing but benefits!
Google My Business – unique listings require diverse templates!
It's not just how we write that matters. The format and organization of content allow for quick discovery of the most important data from the customer's perspective. Google offers four different templates that will help you easily rank your posts.
- Offer – described in a flowery or purely informative manner and enhanced with photos. With a link to your website or a teasing invitation to use a promotional coupon. If you provide services (for example, you're a hairdresser, massage parlor, or Vietnamese restaurant), you can list your entire offering, along with prices and short descriptions, in a tastefully composed "Menu."
- New In – a form that serves as an additional form of advertising your new service or product. Describe it, attach photos, and invite customers to learn more about it.
- Event Are you organizing a training session? Perhaps you're launching a new product with your company logo? Let your clients know and invite them to participate. The date, schedule, event description, and ticket reservation options are all here!
- Product – this is where you'll reveal "how much it costs and why it's so expensive" :). Add a link to your store so that a determined customer can quickly add your goods to their virtual cart. Promote the most popular items from your portfolio. If you encourage a customer to visit your website (literally and figuratively!), there's a chance they'll also choose less-moving products.
In 2020, due to the pandemic, Google introduced an additional template in which we will include information about possible changes in the company's operation or the method of receiving orders.
Remember!
Google rejects entries that violate company policy, including those covering regulated categories such as gambling, alcohol, and pharmaceuticals.
Google's virtual business card is responsive (flexibly adapting to the various devices it's displayed on). This means customers always have information about your company at their fingertips—at home, in the office, or even in their car! If you pique their interest, they'll start their engine, use the "direct to destination" option, and soon be knocking on your door. Start rolling out the red carpet.
How does a Google My Business listing affect positioning?
There is a lot of talk about the need for SEO, but… do we all know what it is really about?
In short, it means achieving high search engine rankings, and consequently, increasing your chances of acquiring new customers and boosting your sales. Simple. And important!
The e-commerce landscape can be described as a veritable jungle, where competition is fierce (and constantly growing!) and the fight for customers is fierce. The pandemic has only intensified this trend.
As we read in the report "E-COMMERCE IN POLAND 2021. Online stores with the best SEO", which was created by specialists from Senuto,
As many as two-thirds of all online stores saw an increase in views compared to 2019 – an average of 82,53%. Only one-third of sales platforms recorded weaker results, but in this case the average is much lower – 26,14%.
We comment on the report's findings in more detail HERE . This means, more or less, that in the battle for high search engine rankings, every trick counts. This includes boosting your rankings with a Google My Business listing.
Google My Business: SEO – what do you gain?
The phrase "positioning in Google Maps" is inappropriate. In the case of a virtual business card, we can only talk about optimization, aimed at increasing its attractiveness in the eyes of the recipient and... the algorithm that suggests a given location first.
To give your business card the right polish, it's helpful to thoroughly analyze the data stored in the "Insights" tab of Google My Business. This will help you examine:
- Searches and their type.
- A list of terms that customers use to find your company.
- Search location (application or search engine).
- Actions taken by users within your listing (e.g., page visits, directions, and phone calls).
- Number of photo views.
- Companies in your product or service category and similar ones. After all, you have to keep your competition close!
Based on this information you can:
- Modify or implement keywords into your descriptions.
- Create more specific entries or product descriptions in the map.
- Get ahead of the competition in your promotional activities.
- Motivate yourself to create more interesting galleries (maps with graphics are the most popular!).
A polished Google My Business listing increases your chances of appearing in Google Maps and organic search results. How can you fully leverage the power of optimization?
Google My Business Listing – Best Practices
Want to optimize your company's virtual Google business card and ensure a higher search ranking? Make sure to:
- Opinions – Google promotes businesses with impeccable reputations. Encourage customers to rate your products and services, using star ratings or even a short description. Respond to comments. Be prepared that some may be negative. Then, keep your nerves in check – courtesy above all!
- Key phrases – analyze the most important ones for your business. Try to use them in various descriptions, posts, and comments.
- posts – regular and valuable. The 300-word limit ensures you don't overexert yourself while crafting your "good word." You can inform clients about new additions to your portfolio, your services, or interesting company events. Regularly publishing posts will also benefit your image and Google Maps ranking.
- Graphici – high quality and consistent with your company's style. This increases attractiveness, highlights your product, and also the building where your business is based. Add them at the very beginning of your Google My Business profile and gradually expand your gallery. Don't forget your logo!
Is Google My Business free?
Now that you know what Google My Business is and have piqued your interest, let's explore it further. The key question is, is Google My Business a paid service? No. For now, at least, access to this service is free.
This means we can support your business's online advertising (both locally and globally) completely free of charge. This service is available to any Google user who creates a Google My Business account. So… let's take advantage!
Google My Business step by step – see how to set up a Google business card
Below, we've outlined a short, step-by-step guide to setting up a Google My Business account. The good news is that the account creation process isn't complicated and doesn't take much time . That's important—after all, in business, every minute counts! So, let's get started!
How to set up a Google My Business listing? Here are some tips:
- Log in to your Google account.
- go to bookmarks for your business.
- Select "Manage Now."
Complete the profile with the necessary data – company name and business profile (select from the list).
- Decide whether your business location should be public.
This is advisable if you have an office or shop where you would like to invite potential customers.
- Determine in which locations you are developing your business.
Poznań, Warsaw, or maybe your business knows no boundaries (literally ;))?
- Leave your contact information 🙂
IMPORTANT! If you don't have a company website, you can create a basic version for free based on the information you just filled out.
- Decide if you want to receive updates (ZzzZzzzZzzz…) 🙂
9. Verification action
Google will send you a card at the address you provided to verify the accuracy of the data you entered. For listings that have been active for some time, we can choose other verification methods, including phone or email. This significantly speeds up the entire process.
10. I confirm!
In the next step, you will confirm that you agree to this form of verification.
11. Cutting a diamond, "ironing" a business card.
You already have a Google My Business account. Now add more specific information that will help you reach an even wider audience.
Complete your Google virtual business card with additional business categories, opening days and hours, and preferred contact methods.
12. Sell yourself!
Enhance your Google My Business profile with a compelling description, photos, and information about your business. Your description is how potential customers will see you!
13. Show your best side!
So add photos of the building, products and be sure to add your LOGO!
Mission accomplished! Google My Business, how to create a virtual business card and maintain its high search rankings – these topics no longer hold any secrets for you. Now all that's left is to wait for new clients.
Google My Business – Why is it worth creating a virtual Google business card? SUMMARY
- Confirms your credibility.
- Provides good visibility on the web.
- Navigates a potential customer to your point (Google Maps).
- It allows you to additionally promote your product range or services.
- It encourages the recipient to visit your website (positively affecting the statistics).
- Increases the chances of improving sales results.
- Builds the image of an expert and improves brand recognition.
- Helps the customer make a purchasing decision.
Summary
The above article covers the following topics:
- Characteristics and mechanism of operation of the Google My Business listing
- The impact of a Google My Business listing on search engine positioning
- Costs of using Google My Business
