WHAT IS GOOGLE MY BUSINESS?
Google My Business lists business websites on Google’s business directory in South Africa. Businesses must submit information and images to qualify for the listing on Google’s business directory. Once the profile has been verified, the website can appear in Google based on the keywords used and the location of the searching user.
BENEFITS OF GOOGLE MY BUSINESS
INCREASED VISIBILITY
Appearing in the Top 3 positions of Google My Business will deliver views and traffic to a website.
MORE INQUIRIES, SALES AND LEADS
High-ranking websites on Google My Business will drive more inquiries, sales, and leads to a website.
BOOSTS TRUST
Many users will view the reviews section of the profile, and if the reviews are positive, it will increase trust in working with the company.
BACKLINK FROM GOOGLE
Creating a profile with a website link will provide a powerful backlink to your website and build more trust with Google.
FREE MARKETING
Setting up a Google My Business profile is free. It does require work to get it ranked high, but you don’t have to pay for clicks.
CUSTOMER INSIGHTS
Traffic from Google My Business can be analysed and assessed. Google provides insightful information on how users found a profile.
HOW TO APPLY FOR GOOGLE MY BUSINESS
CREATE A GMAIL ACCOUNT
Create a Gmail account or use your own website email address.
SIGN UP TO GOOGLE MY BUSINESS
Visit Google My Business, sign up and verify your email address.
CLICK MANAGE NOW
It’s a big, blue button located on the Home Page of the account.
ENTER YOUR BUSINESS NAME
• If your business name appears in the search box, select that name
• If it does not appear, select “Add Your Business to Google.”
SELECT YOUR BUSINESS CATEGORY
• Select your Primary category. If you cannot find it, select the closest relevant category.
• Select Secondary categories to list other categories associated with other products and services.
ADD YOUR PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Enter your business address. If you do not have one, select your service area instead.
ADD YOUR CONTACT DETAILS
Add your contact details as well as your website URL address.
VERIFY YOUR BUSINESS
There are 3 ways to verify your business:
BY POSTCARDS
Google sends a postcard to your physical address with a code in it. Simply type the 6-digit code in your Google My Business account to verify the listing. Receiving mail in South Africa is not trustworthy, so we don’t recommend using this option.
BY PHONE
Google will call your business contact number with an automatic voice providing a 6-digit code. Write down the code and enter it into your Google My Business account. This is the recommended and easiest way to verify your account.
BY EMAIL
This option is available for some businesses, but not all businesses. The email address doesn’t have to match the domain name used for the Google My Business account; however, it helps verify ownership. We highly recommend using an email address that matches the domain name.
FILL IN THE REST OF THE INFORMATION
ADD THE BUSINESS HOURS
Add your business hours and mention if you will be open on specific public holidays such as New Year’s Eve or Christmas.
ADD MULTIPLE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Add individual products and services your business offers to the public by clicking the Products Tab.
ADD A DESCRIPTION
Google allows you to add 750 characters in your description. We recommend adding between 300 and 500 characters. Mention important keywords naturally in your description.
ADD PHOTOS TO YOUR PROFILE
• Add photos to your Profile
• Add your Logo Image
• Add photos of employees, managers, and owners.
• Add Photos of your products and services. ( When adding New Products)
• Add Photos of the inside and the outside of your business.
• Add a photo of the sign outside your business.
OTHER INFORMATION
You should complete your Business profile until it says 100% complete. You will be asked other questions, such as “Does your business facilitate for handicapped people?”. Complete as much information as possible and ensure everything is accurate.
INSIGHTS
Google has provided an insights section that allows you to examine how your audience interacts with your profile. To check your insights, select the “Performance” option. It displays the following information:
TELEPHONE CALLS
It is the number of people called from your profile.
CHAT CLICKS
It is the number of people that chatted with your chatbot.
BOOKINGS
It is the number people that booked an appointment from your profile.
DIRECTIONS
It is the number of people that made direction requests from your profile.
WEBSITE CLICKS
It is the number of people that clicked into your website from your profile.
GOOGLE MY BUSINESS RANKING FACTORS
There are 3 Major ranking factors with Google My Business. These factors will influence the ranking positions of your profile.
POST REGULARLY
Add 1 or 2 posts to your Google Profile every week. The posts should mention product specials, promotions, events, or special tips. Google always likes consistency. To benefit from Google My Business, ensure you consistently post to move up the ranks.
SUBMIT CITATIONS
Submit your business information to popular and relevant local directories in South Africa. The information listed must match the information added to your Google My Business profile. Minor mistakes, such as submitting incorrect business hours, can negatively impact your ranking positions.
REVIEWS
Reviews are the most important ranking factor on Google My Business. Ask customers to review your products and services. Ask them to visit your profile and review your business there, or you can obtain a review link that you can send to them by email. The more positive reviews and the higher the star ratings, the higher the rankings.
WHAT NOT TO DO FOR REVIEWS
Ignoring Google’s policies or trying to manipulate their policies can get your Google My Business account banned. Follow the instructions below to ensure your account stays active.
NO GIFTS FOR REVIEWS
Do not provide gifts, bonuses, or rewards to encourage people to review your business.
DON’T ASK FRIENDS TO REVIEW
Do not ask friends or family members to review your website if they have not used your products and services.
DON’T BUY REVIEWS
Do not buy reviews from websites. The reviews are usually completed by bots, which Google will eventually figure out.
DON’T INCENTIVIZE REVIEWS
Don’t incentivize reviews, such as discounts to people who will leave a positive review.
DON’T SABOTAGE COMPETITORS
Don’t leave negative reviews on competitors’ profiles, and don’t leave positive reviews of your own account.
WHAT TO DO FOR REVIEWS
Reviews are an important part of Google My Business. Here are some useful tips to ensure you provide the right practices when handling reviews.
RESPOND TO POSITIVE REVIEWS
Always respond to positive reviews with a professional and thankful text message.
RESPOND TO NEGATIVE REVIEWS
Always respond to negative reviews by apologizing and solving the issue immediately.
SEND A REVIEW LINK TO YOUR CLIENT
Send a review link to your customers via email to encourage them to rate your services.
USE REVIEWS ON YOUR WEBSITE
Use reviews on your website to display the quality of your services to your customers.
CONCLUSION
Many South African businesses do not utilize Google My Business. Companies set up an account and expect to receive traffic and sales automatically. Remember to optimize your account around high-traffic keywords and continue to post, submit citations, and ask customers for reviews.