Make the most out of your Google My Business Account

May 21, 2020

Take control of your accounts. Just like you understand every aspect of your business, learning how to use the tools at your disposal can help you improve your productivity. It’s easy to see that Google My Business is an online listing serving a similar function to the yellow pages decades ago. However, unlike the yearly publishing of the yellow pages, online listings are dynamic, ever changing and subject to new features every day. As such, Google recommends that you maintain your account on a regular basis in order to demonstrate that you are an active business worth showing to web users.

There is much more you can do with your Google My Business Account along with Business name, Address, Hours, and phone number. Here are some of the features available you may not have known are available with your account.

The Business Profile: It’s the most essential part of your (GMB) Google My Business account. This is information you likely entered upon signing up and verifying your account. Here you input name, hours, website, images, and phone number. It’s the basic information used in the local SEO process compatible across Google platforms. The information entered here will show up in search results and on Google Maps.

Photos: Having a picture of your business can go a long way. It lets your potential customer see your storefront before actually showing up to your locale. Along with your business, you can show pictures of your products, services, rooms for occupancy, offices, or anything that could further entice customers. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Use that to your advantage. Convince customers that your food looks tasty, your rooms are clean, etc. Do not confuse this with a social media account. Think of this like a digital facade. As much as people say they don’t judge a book by its cover, having a good image can help you stand out from others with little to no images to judge.

Buttons: From “Book a room” or “Book Online,” give your customers the option reach your business directly. It’s all about convenience for online users. Let them make that decision where they feel comfortable.

Chat: Customers have questions and you have answers. Oftentimes a user may be on the fence due to their lack of knowledge in your field. Having an active chat can re-assure customers that you are their best choice. Consider adding information to your website, your Google My Business listing based on frequently asked questions you gather here.

Basic Website: Along with the online listing on Google. Your Google My Business account entitles you to a basic website. Granted, it’s limited in functionality right now, but it’s a great options for business that do not have one. It’s a great option to test traffic and analytics before committing to a business webpage. For a micro-business it may be all you need. Either way, keep a professional and reputable standing in your industry with a website.

Reviews: This is one of the most important feature for some customers. Being able to moderate and respond to comments is essential in maintaining a healthy account. Sometimes you have a customer that is having a bad day, be the bigger person and let them know that you can make things right. Whether it’s replying with a solution or offering another service, let future customers publicly see your goodwill.

Full Disclosure: Top Hat Central offers a Google My Business account management service. Google My Business is a free service offered by Google. We provide our expertise in SEO, professional photography, and analytic breakdown to make the most out of an account. This page is meant to answer some of the most common questions asked by our customers in better understanding Google My Business and how to use it. As a small business owner you wear many hats, we simply wish to be one less you have to worry about. We understand that small or micro-business owners may have limited staff and resources to dedicate full time to maintaining a listing. Whether you choose to contact us or not, we hope you found this information useful to get the most out of your account.