Get yourself on Google

This is a short and sweet blog post (well, rant) about making sure your business can be found on Google.

Google’s Business Profile provides a completely FREE listing for your business which appears on Google Maps. It’s a wonderful way to advertise your business and, what’s more, it means you can appear at the TOP of the Google search results, as part of the map (see screenshot below). You are effectively recommended by Google with no expenditure and no SEO headaches.

Why it is important to have a Google Business Profile

The other day, I tried to find a shop that I know is in existence in an exact location, so I found the place on Google Maps expecting to find the lovely red marker that would give me the name (which I couldn’t remember exactly), the opening hours and, hopefully, direct me immediately to their website, but it wasn’t there. What a waste of a sales opportunity.

It is a great place to make your business more visible.

You can include links to your website, contact information, photos, opening hours and, importantly, customers can then leave you star rating and reviews. You can even create social media style posts and advertise event listings too.

Showing up in Google Search – position zero

Take a look below at the two examples of my business as they show up – all thanks to my Business Profile. …and remember this is totally free.

Using the search term ‘content consultant Hampshire’ – I am listed in Maps.

And this is what you get on the standard search page.

Google Business Reviews

There are people who go out and actively write reviews for Google Maps, called Google Local Guides . I know a lady locally who does this and she is awesome because she believes in supporting small local businesses. She actively sets out to visit local places and review them. They don’t get paid just earn points and status – a bit like a ‘top fan’ on Facebook.

You will also get a unique URL that you can share with happy clients, so that they can leave you reviews too.

Google yourself

It may seem odd and I know you also will have a ‘skewed’ set of results on your own phone or computer, but it is still worth typing some keywords and your location (both specific and broader) and take a look at the results. Search not just on Google but on Google Maps specifically and see who your competitors are locally and what their profiles are like.

If you already have a Google Business Profile account, then certainly make sure it is up-to-date, the links work and upload new photos.

Want help with your Google Business Profile

If you have not claimed your listing or you don’t have one, it is really worth doing. It can be a bit of pain to get verified but it is not impossible. I also appreciate some people don’t like sharing their home address for their business address, but there are ways around this too.

I can also help with creating posts and optimising your profile.

Doing these checks and making the most of marketing opportunities that are available is what The Content Club is all about.