How to make a successful business with Google Maps – 15 tips from Google

Google Maps is 15 years old. To mark the anniversary of the service, Google experts have collected 15 step-by-step tips to help entrepreneurs navigate Google My Business.

• Create a Google Company Profile. Go to business.google.com/add and enter your business information. Make sure that everything is correct and verified so you can update your information. You can also add the profile of other managers who can help you maintain it.
• Download the Google My Business app (Google Play, App Store). It provides all the tools you need to interact with your customers. And whatever you update there will be automatically synced to the information on Google Maps.
• Update your business profile. Make sure you carefully check the following information: address, business scope, phone number, and website.
• Add a work schedule. And do not forget to update it regularly, specifying the working hours in the holidays.
• Analyze your business description. What sets your business apart from your competitors? Show potential customers the unique products or services you offer.
• Stand out from the rest. Add a cover photo by simply pinning it to the top of your profile to get noticed by other companies.
• Make your brand recognizable. Add a company logo to create lasting brand awareness. This will help customers easily remember who to contact.
• Add links to your site. If you have a separate site, add a link. If you don’t have one, you can create one for free when you sign up for your business profile.
• Show what your business has to offer. Interested customers want more details. If you are selling clothing, try to create a product catalog. Add photos with information such as price and description, and customers will be able to click through to your site to place an online order. If you own a restaurant, add a menu.
• Make your business even more visually appealing by adding recent photos of your store or products. Give people a sense of reality about what they will see when they visit you in person. It also increases your visibility: photo profiles get 42% more traffic requests for Maps, and 90% of people are more likely to visit you if you have photos of your business on Search and Maps.
• Share news and special offers by posting. Post events, new products or services. Think of discounts for first-time customers who view your business profile.
• Encourage users to post reviews. And when they do it, write a thank you note or ask for more detailed feedback on their experience. Two in three customers say positive reviews were an important factor in choosing a business or store to buy.
• Make it easier for customers to reach you via messaging. When you do it, customers will see a “Messages” button on your profile and you will see their messages in the Google My Business app Remember that receiving a new message is important to respond to within 24 hours – it will increase your confidence and encourage you to interact with you.
• Use the booking feature. This means customers can book, such as a restaurant table, make an appointment, or book a service on Google Maps. If you do not already have a contractor to help manage your reservations, you can choose them from our official partners.
• Add a Q&A section. Use this feature to help customers see the most frequently asked questions and answers.

Source: ain.ua