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If you’re a small business owner, running your own website can be a full-time job. Between content creation and web design, it’s easy to lose track of the most important tool in your arsenal: search engine optimization.

Fortunately for small businesses, Google offers free tools that make it easier than ever to get found online while running a business. One such tool is Google My Business (GMB), an essential part of any company’s marketing strategy.

When you optimize your Google My Business listing—which we’ll explain how to do below—you have access to benefits like increased visibility on Google Maps or being able to add photos of your products directly into search results. And since there are no costs associated with optimizing your GMB listing using the tips below, this is one area where it pays off for small businesses to spend some time researching what works best for them.

Your business will be visible across Google search, maps, and Google+.

When a person searches for your product or service on Google, if you’ve claimed your business listing, you’ll appear in the local pack at the top of the page. If a user is searching from a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet, they can also see your listing in search results that are specifically designed for mobile devices.

Google+ pages (pages from people) will also index when users search for businesses. This means that if you have created a Google+ page for your business and verified it, people who are looking for information about your organization may find this content through relevant searches on Google+.

Your contact info and website URL will be instantly accessible.

Your contact info and website URL will be instantly accessible to people who search for your business. For example, if someone searches “coffee shop” in the area where you’re located, they’ll be able to find your details without having to visit multiple websites or apps.

These details include:

• Your business address, phone number, and website. You can update these at any time by editing this information on the Google My Business dashboard.
• A photo of your business (if available). This could be a shot of your storefront or a rendering of what life is like inside your establishment—whatever best represents the brand you want to convey online.
• A map showing where you are located in relation to other businesses around it (if available). This feature can help customers see exactly how close they are to finding what they need nearby before making an appointment, or traveling across town just for something simple like picking up some groceries while out running errands!

Reviews of your business will be visible.

Reviews are one of the best ways to build trust with potential customers. They can help you rank higher in local search results, and they can help you get more customers. Reviews are also a great source of valuable feedback from people who have interacted with your business in person or online.

An average Google user has over 100 searches per day, so it’s important for businesses to take advantage of this opportunity by getting reviews on Google My Business (GMB). Having an active GMB profile will increase traffic to your website, which means more leads for you!

Let customers know when you’re online and offline.

Get more customers in the door by letting them know when you’re open and closed. This includes specific days, holidays, nights, and weekends.

Optimize your local search.

Google My Business helps you connect with customers and build loyalty.

• Use the tools available for the best results.
• Make sure your Google My Business listing is accurate and complete by using a tool like Local SEO Pro to update your business information, add photos, and claim your online listings on other sites.
• Optimize your listing to get the most out of it!

Get a free website that matches your brand.

Google My Business is a free service that provides you with a mobile-friendly website, which means you can easily attract customers to your business. It also comes with the added benefit of being secure, so you don’t have to worry about cyber threats. You can add a blog, video, pictures, and more to your site to showcase what makes your business unique or special—whether it’s food trucks or coffee shops—and really make an impression on potential customers!

Keep local customers engaged with Google Posts and more.

Google Posts is a way to share information with customers. You can use Google Posts to share news, events, and other updates. On the right side of your My Business dashboard, you’ll see a list of recent posts you’ve made. And if you’ve ever used Facebook Messenger, it’s a lot like that!

You can also use Google Posts to connect with customers who have visited your business in the past. After they visit and leave your place of business or service, you can ask them if they want to receive special offers and promotions from your company via email or text message.

If someone opts in for these messages from you—or “subscribes” to them—you can send out messages about upcoming events, new products or services (like seasonal menu changes), thank-you gifts for purchases made at your place of business (like loyalty cards), as well as information about charitable organizations that are supported by donations from customers like them!

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an established brand, optimizing your listing can provide a range of benefits for your business.

• It helps Google understand what your business is about and how it fits into its local search results.
• It gives you more control over your online presence—and potentially more traffic to your website.
• It increases the chances that people who are looking for local businesses will find yours.

Conclusion

The benefits of Google My Business are more than just search visibility. The features available through this platform are designed with one goal in mind: helping you connect with customers and grow your business. Whether you’re just starting out or have been around for years, it pays to optimize your listing now so that when potential clients visit search results, they’ll see your business at the top of the list.

If you need an elevated website for your business, don’t hesitate to contact us at Reversed Out Creative.

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