Use Google My Business to Enhance Your Brand’s Online Presence
In June, Google released Google My Business, a simple, free tool, to help business like yours get found online. This new feature is also integrated with Google Search, Map, and Google+. This blog post will go over what Google My Business is and how to set it up.
According to Google, Google My Business can help you:
Update your business info on Search, Maps and Google+ from one place to make it easy for customers to get in touch
Add beautiful photos of your business and a virtual tour of your business interior to help customers see what makes your business unique
Connect directly with your fans and customers by sharing news, events and other important updates from your Google+ page
Stay on top of reviews from across the web, and respond to Google reviews
Understand how people find and interact with your business using custom insights and integration with AdWords Express
Manage your information on-the-go with the Google My Business Android app launch and the iOS app
Here shows an example of how Google My Business optimizes Faidley’sSeafood’schance to get found online. When I typed in “Faidley’s Seafood” in Google Search, Google not only shows the title and Meta description of the website, but also its address and ratingsin the search. Additionally, on the right hand side of the browser, we can also see an information box detailing contact information, opening hours, reviews, and the latest post on Faidley’s Seafood’s Google+ page. (See picture on the next page.) When customers click on “see photos,” they are directed to a photo slide of the restaurant, and “see inside” gives them a virtual tour integrating in Google Maps.
Now that you learn what Google My Business can offer, you are probably wondering how to set it up, right?
Getting Started
Step#1: Go on Google My Business’s web page and click the blue “Get on Google” button.
Step#2: Enter your business name and address in the search bar in the upper left hand corner.
Step#3: If Google already knows your business, your business will show up in the dropdown menu. Click the arrow and start creating your page. If however Google doesn’t know your business, you can click on the last listing to add your business. You will then be led to a page to fill out the information for your business.
Step #4: Google will ask you to confirm that you are authorized to manage things for your business. After that, Google will mail you a code to make sure your address is correct.
Step #5:Viola! Your new Google+ page is here!You are welcome to build on your profile and upload photos about your business. The page will helpyou unifyvarious metrics and options about how your business is listed with Google.
What if I already have a Google+ Page?
If you already have existing pages, you’ll be taken to your Google+ Dashboard where they are listed. From there, when you select a page, you’ll be able to manage its profile.
Hope you enjoy this post and start taking full advantage of Google My Business. Have questions? Leave a comment below or drop us an email, we’d be happy to help you! Want to learn more? Please read this Search Engine Land blog post.
