A Guide to Google Business Profiles
Why Having a Google Business Profile is Important
Establishing a strong online presence is important for businesses of all sizes. One essential tool that often gets overlooked but has tons of value is a Google Business Profile.
This profile not only increases your visibility on Google Search and Maps. But it also plays a critical role in gathering reviews that can help boost your business.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about why having a Google Business Profile is important for a business. I'll show you how to use it to gather client testimonials to help grow your business.
I recently worked with a few clients that didn’t have a Google Business Profile yet. I immediately recommended they setup their Google Business Profile to:
Help increase their business visibility.
Gather client reviews to help improve their credibility. This is important to share with people interested in their services.
Add their Google Review link to their Dubsado feedback forms. This is a great way to gather feedback and reviews.
If you don’t have a Google Business Profile - I’d recommend you read through this blog post and create a profile today!
What is a Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile (was called Google My Business) is a free tool provided by Google. It serves as a virtual storefront for your business.
When people search for the services you offer, having an optimized profile helps you appear in Google Search results.
This profile not only helps attract potential clients but also establishes credibility. As Google-backed information together with client reviews, give legitimacy to your business.
Inside your Google Business Profile you can add important details about your business. Things like: address, services, products, store hours, banners, photos. All this will appear in online searches. This profile can used by businesses with physical location or online businesses.
Google Business Profile on the right hand side of the Google Search
How to Setup a Google Business Profile
Log into your Google Business Profile.
If you don’t have a profile, use this link to create a profile. You need a Google account to create a Google Business Profile. It is recommended that you create a profile with your business email.
Add your business name
Add your business category. Choose a primary category that represents your business. You can select up to 9 more categories.
Choose whether you have a storefront location
Enter the service area of your business. You can set this area based on cities, postal codes and more. You can add up to 20 services areas. Google recommends not to extend the boundary of your service area more than 2 hours from where your business is based. Depending on the type of business you have, you may need to go beyond that recommended boundary.
Enter your business website and phone number.
Verify your business. You can verify your profile by email code or a video. Thankfully the days of waiting for Google to mail you a postcard with a 4 digit code are over!
Creating a Google Business Profile
How to Optimize your Google Business Profile
According to Google, customers are 2.7 times more likely to consider a business to be credible if they find a complete Google Business Profile. So it’s important to set up your profile to include any information that is relevant to potential clients.
To optimize your profile, include the following elements that apply to your business:
Business hours: add business hours, including when you open and close. Update your hours especially around holidays, so people can trust that you’ll be open when they show up.
It’s disappointing to look up a business’s hours, go all the way there and find they’re closed. So be sure to keep accurate hours for your business.
Social Media links: add all the relevant social media platform links to your profile. You can add links to: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, X and YouTube.
Description: include a description of your business and what you offer.
Attributes: select from different attributes to apply to your profile.
Products: showcase your products on your profile. Include the product name, category, price, description, landing page URL and photo. Keep in mind that this option is not available in all countries.
Services: add all the of services you offer on your profile. Include a description and your prices.
Photos: add photos to make your profile more attractive for potential clients
Types of photos: logo, cover photo, photos of your store, products and services.
Format: PNG or JPG
Size: Between 10 KB and 5 MB
Resolution: Recommended 720 px tall x 720 px wide. Minimum of 250 px x 250 px.
Google Reviews
One of the most powerful features of a Business Profile is its ability to gather client reviews. Positive reviews act as social proof. They increase the confidence of potential clients in your skills and abilities. And it all helps them make the decision to hire you.
Positive reviews can directly impact your bottom line. Consumers heavily rely on online reviews when making buying choices. So businesses with higher ratings often see increased sales.
Where to Find My Google Review Link
Once your Business Profile is ready, share your review link with past clients to start gathering reviews. And make sure to share this link with all new clients to keep adding reviews to your profile.
To find your Google Review link:
Go to your Google Business Profile
Click ‘Ask for reviews’. For those using Google Maps - click ‘Customers Reviews Get more reviews’.
A pop up window will appear, click the copy icon beside the URL
Share the link with past clients and place it inside your feedback form
Click ‘Ask for reviews’ on your Google Business profile to get your Review link
Copy your Google Review link to share with clients
Adding your Google Review Link to Dubsado
With Dubsado, you can create forms to send out to clients. This includes forms where you can gather client feedback and testimonials.
Including your Google Review link in your feedback form makes it easier for clients. They can write a review while giving helpful feedback for the services you provided to them.
Add your Google Review link to your Dubsado forms to increase the number of reviews on your profile
Boost your online reputation and build trust and credibility with your online reviews.
TL;DR: Your Quick Guide to Google Business Profiles
Setting up a Google Business Profile is great to boost visibility and credibility. It enhances your presence on Google Search and helps attract new clients.
Key Steps to Creating Your Google Business Profile:
Add Details: Log into Google My Business or create a new profile using your business email. Enter your business name, category, website, phone number, and service area.
Verify Your Business: Complete the verification process (no more waiting for postcards!) to confirm ownership of your business.
Tips for Optimizing Your Google Business Profile:
Add accurate business hours and keep them updated.
Include links to your social media profiles.
Write a compelling business description.
Highlight attributes, products, and services.
Upload high-quality photos to showcase your business.
Google Reviews:
Encourage clients to leave reviews on your profile to boost credibility and attract clients. Share your review link with past and current clients to gather valuable feedback.
Adding Google Review links in Dubsado:
Add your Google Review link into Dubsado feedback forms. So you can gather testimonials while gathering feedback on your services. It helps enhance your online reputation and builds trust with potential clients.
Creating a Google Business Profile is a great way to enhance your business's digital presence. Don't miss out on this valuable tool to expand your reach and attract more clients!
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