You Down with GBP? Yea, you know me!

If you have a business or organization and want to make it easier for people to call you, visit your website, or get directions to your location you need to be sure your Google Business Profile (GBP, formerly known as Google My Business listing) is up to date.

What is it?

Basically, your online business card. Your profile contains essential contact and business details like name, address, phone number, hours, and services/products offered. It's a huge part of local SEO factors and is the most important element in determining which results appear in local map packs (that's what Google calls the 3 search listings that appear with a map).

Why should I care?

Because "googling" is a verb now. It's second nature to search any and everything but especially the things someone might spend time and money on. So if you want more people to spend more time and money on your products or services, why not do everything possible to make it easier to find you as they search?!

So, you're saying I should buy search ads?

No (I mean, maybe you should, but that's a separate conversation and I'm happy to have it with you).

All I'm saying right now is be sure your online business card:

1) even exists - until you officially claim and verify your profile, you either don't show up at all OR Google shows whatever info it can pull from other sources. Sources that could be inaccurate.

2) has all the correct essential information - NAP, no not the kind when you're sleepy. Name, Address, Phone number. Those are the 3 basic pieces of contact information Google uses to identify your business. So it's important that each appears the same way on your website AND your GBP. Because Google likes consistency and it's easily thrown off. So if your name appears one way on your site but a different way in your GBP (say with an "LLC" at the end) Google feels unsure about your results appearing for users. So keep it consistent to keep Google happy.

Google is big on groups of 3 so the 3 key parts of all Business profiles are the Call, Website, and Directions buttons that allow people to call you, visit your site, or get directions with just one click. That's the bare minimum you should include! Adding photos, store hours, price ranges, etc. to your profile gives potential customers a better idea of what exactly you do and how you can help them.

3) isn't just a one-way conversation - Did you know anyone can pose questions about a business on Google? They'll show in your GBP along with any answers (because yes, anyone can also answer the questions). So make sure you, as the expert on your business, provide the correct answers.

In addition to Q & A's, you can also respond to Reviews directly from Google Search or Maps. And you should always reply to all reviews - good or bad!

And now we have Chat, where customers or potential customers can message you in Search.

How much is it?

Free! Yes, Google provides a listing at no cost for any business, non-profit, or entrepreneur. If you have a business or organization (even if it's based in your home) you can claim your listing.

So what do I need you for?

You may not and that's totally fine. But many business owners don't have the time to properly set up and optimize their profile. So I offer a simple solution to help these busy owners.

Need your own GBP? Or just need to jazz yours up? Let's talk.