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Google is the king of search and playing by their rules often means the difference between good traffic numbers and bad. Google My Business is one of the internet giant’s properties that allows local businesses to showcase their address, menu, hours, and more to local searchers. Listings on Google My Business are free and can be created in minutes but they’re not ideal for everyone. In this blog post, we will discuss what Google My Business is, whether or not your eCommerce business should have one, and how to optimize your listing if you already do have one.
What Is Google My Business?
Google My Business is Google’s product that allows local businesses to create a free listing on Google Maps. The most important feature of the Google My Business listings is claiming your page, which will allow you to edit and update all aspects of your Google business profile from one central location. This means not only updating hours but also adding photos, videos, and posts to your Google My Business listing.
With Google constantly working on new features for Google My Business it’s important to stay up-to-date on Google My Business news and updates. Google is always coming out with new features for Google My Business, like the ability to open a virtual pop-up store or experiment with Google Maps AR experiences.
Should You Have A Google My Business Listing?
The answer to this question largely depends on how you use your website. If you are a brick-and-mortar store that relies heavily on foot traffic, then having a Google My Business listing is essential. If you are an eCommerce store that only sells products online, then a Google My Business listing may not be necessary.
We recommend having a Google My Business listing if you are an eCommerce site with at least one location. Google My Business listings are free and Google is the king of search, so there’s no reason to not have one.
How To Optimize Your Google My Business Listing
There are many ways to optimize your Google My Business listing and we’ve outlined some of the most important ones below.
- Make sure all information is accurate and up-to-date. Google My Business is a great service, but it’s only as good as the information that you provide to Google and your customers.
- Google only allows you to claim your Google business listing if it includes an accurate phone number. If your site uses a call tracking system like CallRail or NexRep you should make sure your Google business listing includes that number.
- Claim your Google My Business listing so that you can update all of your business details from one central location instead of having to visit Google Maps multiple times for each individual edit or update.
- Post photos and videos to Google My Business. Google seems to favor companies with more visual content, which is why we recommend posting as many high-quality images as possible on your Google My Business listing. It’s also a good idea to upload 360-degree panoramic photos of the inside and outside of your business location(s).
- Add Google My Business to your website’s footer. This will allow Google and users alike to easily find all of the necessary information about your Google My Business listing without having to leave your site.
How Important Are Reviews on Google My Business?
Very. Reviews are the lifeblood of Google My Business. If you want to rank high in Google Maps and be found, your Google My Business listing must have reviews. If you’re new to eCommerce and don’t have any reviews you should start by asking your current customers to leave a review. Google will also show reviews from other websites like Yelp and Facebook, but it’s important to make sure your Google My Business listing has as many reviews as possible. You can always start a review campaign that offers current customers a reward or raffle ticket for leaving a review.
How Do You Claim An Existing Google My Business Page?
If you already have a Google My Business listing, the process is very simple. Google will send an email to your Gmail account with instructions on how to claim and update your Google business profile. If you don’t receive this email you should go to the existing profile on Google to verify your page.
The first step of that process requires finding and clicking the “verify” button on the Google Maps popup or the “own this business?” button on the Google Search page.
Once you click that button Google will take you to the Google My Business Claiming Page, where you will see your current business profile.
If that is not what you want then click on “Let’s Get Started” to make some changes. Fill out all of the necessary information and be sure to include at least one phone number. If your Google My Business listing does not include a phone number Google will not allow you to claim it.
After filling out the necessary information Google should verify your business and take you back to Google Maps where you can check all of your updated business details: Profile Picture, Hours, Phone Number(s), Website Address, Description & Categories (if any), and Google Maps Street View.
Have Any Questions About Google My Business?
At EYStudios we have extensive experience auditing Google My Business pages and listings through an eCommerce lens. We offer consultative sessions about Google My Business as well as services, such as photography, to get you the assets you need to build your listing. If you have any questions about Google My Business or would like help setting up your Google My Business listing please don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re more than happy to help.